Day Eight at the Gym: Back to the Grind

A Restless Morning

I slept late yesterday and didn’t get enough rest. I really need to fix this bad habit. Still, I woke up early, around 5 a.m., and got ready for the day. I made sure to stretch a bit before hitting the ground running. My right quadriceps and left arm were sore, especially my right leg, but I pushed through the discomfort because I knew it was essential to stick to my routine.

After a quick meal that included some eggs and toast, which I always find energizing, I headed to the gym for the 6 a.m. boxing session. Saturday mornings are usually quiet, and today was no different. There were only a few of us, plus the coach, which allowed for a more personalized session. It's always good to have time with the coach to refine techniques.

The Boxing Session

We started with the usual warm-up: rope jumping and shadow boxing to get the blood flowing. My rhythm and timing have definitely improved over the weeks, though I still have a long way to go. Each session feels like progress, and that motivates me to keep pushing my limits.

After that, we moved to bag work. The coach had us do light boxing first, focusing on form and technique before ramping up to heavier rounds. My right wrist began to hurt during the heavy sets, so I tried not to throw full-power punches to avoid injury. My knuckles were fine, but the pain in my wrist and right arm reminded me that I really need to invest in better hand wrapping and heavier gloves soon. My body is my asset, and I need to protect it to continue progressing.

To wrap up the boxing session, we ended with crunches combined with jab and cross movements, a great way to work both the core and coordination together, two essential aspects of boxing that can make a huge difference in performance.

One positive takeaway from today’s boxing was that I finally managed to throw clean jabs and crosses without exposing my sides, which had been a previous issue for me. I’m learning to protect my liver and kidneys while keeping proper form, something crucial in combat sports. It felt like a small victory, and those are important to celebrate.

Midday Work and Recovery

After training, I went home, showered, and got straight to work on preparing lessons and materials for next week. It’s that time of year, exam preparation and revision, and I want to stay ahead rather than rush at the last minute. Organization helps me manage both teaching and training efficiently.

Around 10 a.m., I could barely keep my eyes open, so I took a nap, sinking into a deep three-hour sleep that my body clearly needed. I woke up around 1 p.m., refreshed, had a good meal, and continued with more school work, feeling mentally recharged.

Even though I work a lot during teaching hours, planning ahead makes me feel mentally calm and prepared. It’s tiring, yes, but it’s satisfying to know I’m staying in control of my responsibilities while also prioritizing my physical health and training.

My body was still sore, especially after yesterday's intense training sessions, so I decided not to go to the early Jiu-Jitsu or kickboxing sessions today. I wanted to give my legs more time to recover, opting instead to focus solely on wrestling at night, which I felt was the best decision considering my physical state.

The Evening Wrestling Session

I arrived at the gym around 9 p.m. for the wrestling class. There were about sixteen or seventeen of us this time, all eager to learn and improve together. The warm-up was led by a younger student, not the same one from last time, and it lasted for about thirty minutes. We did rolls, stretches, and other familiar movements. I’m starting to get used to this rhythm, which is crucial for me to perform well. This was my third wrestling session, and with each practice, I could feel real improvement.

When the coach arrived, we focused on two key techniques, the sprawl and the knee slide. The coach corrected my form and helped me refine both techniques. It felt great to see progress in something that I previously thought I would struggle with forever.

After that, I partnered with Mushtaba, my training partner, and we did three main drills together, which helped solidify what we had just learned.

1. The first drill was about grip control, where we faced each other and tried to move behind to secure a back hold, focusing on being swift yet strategic.

2. The second was the single-leg takedown; we switched turns to practice balance and timing, both of which are essential in wrestling.

3. The last was a short match where both partners tried to grab each other’s leg and gain control, putting our skills to the test.

Mushtaba and I did well together. I could feel my confidence building with every session. We bumped into each other a few times, small hits and slips, but nothing serious. It's part of the learning process and adds to the intensity of the training.

When the drills were done, beginners like me finished with seated squats while the coach chose six students for live matches. Watching them was a great learning opportunity, observing their techniques and strategies in a real-time scenario.

Wrapping Up the Day

I left the gym around 10:15 p.m., tired but happy. The exhaustion felt earned today, and that satisfaction is hard to beat. I went home, showered, grabbed a quick late-night snack, a small meal of fruits and some light protein, and got ready for bed. My legs were still sore from the workouts and training, but my spirit was stronger than yesterday, reminding me of my dedication.

Reflections

Today reminded me that improvement is not always about doing more; it’s about doing better. I listened to my body when it needed rest, but I still showed up when it mattered. My technique in boxing improved, my wrestling got sharper, and I managed to balance work, training, and recovery in a way that left me feeling accomplished.

Every small adjustment adds up. Each day brings new challenges that help me learn and grow stronger, both physically and mentally.

Day Eight Lesson

Pain is not the enemy; inconsistency is. It's essential to learn to listen to your body, adjust as needed, and keep moving forward no matter the obstacles. Growth is a continuous journey.

Day Eight complete. The grind continues, and I look forward to what tomorrow brings.

👉 What’s your biggest struggle when balancing work, rest, and training? Sharing our experiences can inspire and motivate one another.