Day 93: Learning to Adapt Without Slowing Down

A New Schedule and a Heavy Morning

Day 93 started earlier than usual, as the sun began to peek through the curtains much sooner than I anticipated. My working hours increased, which forced a rather significant change in my daily rhythm, something I hadn’t expected to manage so quickly. Even though I went to sleep earlier, hoping to recharge, my body still felt tired when I woke up, as if the extra hours of sleep were insufficient. The fatigue did not simply disappear just because the alarm rang sooner than usual. Still, I accepted it as part of the necessary adjustment phase that comes with any change in a routine.

I started the day without the cold shower I usually rely on to wake myself up properly. Instead, I rushed more than I typically would, and mornings like this always remind me how easy it is to skip small yet impactful habits when routines shift. Interestingly, there were no breathing exercises included in my morning routine either, which I often find grounding. It is as if in the chaos of rushing, I forget those small practices that help center me.

After a hurried morning, I headed to school and immediately felt the pressure of the new timetable weighing down on me. I spent nearly three hours working on my blog, pouring out my thoughts and experiences. Unfortunately, a dreaded platform update deleted all the work I had carefully prepared over the weekend, forcing me to rebuild everything from scratch. It was beyond frustrating, but I stayed productive and pushed through instead of giving up, knowing that persistence is key.

Workload, Fatigue, and a Long Nap

Teaching continued with several consecutive sessions and the added pressure of additional duties piling up. By the time I returned home in the afternoon, full exhaustion had fully set in, almost washing over me like a tidal wave. I had planned to rest for just one hour, a smart way to rejuvenate before the next wave of challenges, but my body evidently had other plans entirely. That short nap unexpectedly stretched into almost three hours, leaving me feeling disoriented.

When I finally woke up, I glanced at the clock and realized that it was already past the start of the boxing session. That realization made the decision clear and simple. Boxing was no longer an option for the day, and my plans for the evening were dashed. At this point, I am consciously narrowing my focus, attempting to hone in on my priorities. For now, no MMA or wrestling training. Boxing and Jiu Jitsu are the top priorities, especially with upcoming goals ahead and the pressing need to manage my injuries effectively.

Listening to the Body Before Training

After waking up from my long nap, I took a moment to check in with how my body felt. My left hand was feeling better overall but still quite stiff. My right thumb and elbow were noticeable with each movement, and my left knee remained sensitive to pressure. Nothing felt serious though, just enough to demand caution and mindfulness as I moved forward.

I took the time to prepare a proper meal that consisted of rice, chicken, and a wide variety of fruits including banana, dates, apple, strawberry, orange, and even some lettuce for balance. Nutrition felt especially important today, as fueling my body was essential with all the activity I had planned. Along with the meal, I consumed Omega 3 and D3K2 vitamins, assuring my body had the nutrients it needed to function at its best.

Before heading to training, I made sure to take L Citrulline, collagen, zinc, and vitamin C, setting myself up to be in peak condition. Today was strictly Jiu Jitsu, scheduled from 9 to 10, and I arrived on time, which is something I have been actively improving consistently over the past few weeks, much to my satisfaction.

Jiu Jitsu Session and Technical Focus

The session began with a structured warm up, which was vital. Light running, some jumping, rolls, push ups, and extensive stretching helped prepare my body for the work ahead. Once we completed that, we moved into technical work, which is always exciting.

The coach focused on grip fighting fundamentals today. We learned how to break wrist grips, defend against Gi control, and react when pulled from the neck. The Russian tie concepts transferred quite well here, which helped everything click together much faster than I expected.

We then worked on leg drag and long pass techniques. Foot placement, balance, and controlling the opponent’s leg were emphasized throughout the drills. The primary goal was to achieve a smooth transition into side control while maintaining pressure and stability, which can be challenging under sparring conditions.

Sparring, Losses, and Learning

After we finished drilling, we moved into sparring, a crucial component of our training. Four rounds of five minutes each, with a one minute rest between rounds, making it a total of twenty minutes of intense grappling.

I lost every round without exception. Still, I stayed present and fully engaged, realizing each round revealed weaknesses and areas to improve upon. After every spar, I made it a point to ask questions. What could I have done better? Where was my positioning wrong? How could I manage my energy more efficiently throughout the rounds? Losing in this context didn’t feel discouraging; rather, it felt educational and valuable to my growth.

Recovery and Closing the Day

Once the session ended, I consumed my creatine and protein shake, which is a ritual of mine post-training. We finished later than expected, around 10.30 PM instead of the usual 10. I went home, took a cold shower to refresh myself, grabbed a quick snack to tide me over, and then went straight to bed. Early mornings are gradually becoming the new normal for me, and I’ve come to realize that recovery matters more than ever in this busy cycle.

Day 93 Lesson

Today reinforced the importance of adaptation in my routine and training. Progress is not only about pushing harder; it is also about adjusting intelligently when life and the body demand change. Showing up tired, learning through losses, and staying disciplined still counts as forward movement, stepping stones in the journey of personal growth.

Day 93 complete. Adjustments made, lessons learned, and the grind continues as I navigate through this evolving process.

👉 How do you stay consistent when your routine changes but your goals remain steadfastly the same?