Training Log-001

This Weeks Reading: Still working through the first half of How To Read A Book. I’m starting to realize just how short my attention span has become from years of doom scrolling. Also how difficult it is with a busy family life to find time to sit down and knock out chunks of the book. But, I’m greasing the groove. I spent a good amount of time reading it out loud to my 8 year old today.

This Weeks Lifting: Even though it's been about 4 years since I’ve trained consistently, it’s crazy how quick my body has adapted to the work. It’s like you build the foundation once, and any number of structures can be built or rebuilt on top of it with relative ease. That being said, all last week didn’t see a single heavy lifting session because we spent every night with the kids at VBS. But weights are moving, and the numbers are going up, all be it slowly.

Observation: My current state in life means that I have to build a structure for living deliberately that allows me to accomplish my goals, without sacrificing the things that matter most.

Reflection: Way back, when I was just married and still hadn’t had kids yet, doing the things I wanted to do was much easier. It didn’t matter if I came home right after work and spent two and a half hours in the gym. My wife could come hang out with me if she wanted to. Maybe do a workout of her own, or simply spend some time doing what she wanted to do in the house. I could get done, come inside, shower and eat and still have time to relax with her before getting to bed at a decent time.

All that went out the window when we had our first child. Suddenly, when I got home, there was this little person who I couldn’t wait to be around. Also a big person who desperately needed a break from said little person. Not only that, but things like lack of sleep, feeding schedules, bed time routines and extra dishes (seriously we used to keep 10 bottles for our daughter when she was first born instead of just washing one and letting it dry after it was used) all led down the same road. Less time to do the things I wanted to do because this tiny human depended on me for things she couldn’t do herself. I felt the need to be more present with my family, and honestly it was the right call. Pretty soon baby #2 came and that added a whole layer of complexity. But we managed, and the weight room stayed dark.

So did my book shelf. It’s not like I stopped reading altogether. Just the selection of books became more… nursery themed. I don’t regret it at all. But, by the end of most nights if we weren’t passing out immediately after getting all the chores done, I just wanted to stare blankly at the wall or numb my mind and let some show or feed do my thinking for me.

Then BOOM! Babies #3 and #4. And yes I’m quite aware of how they are made. Needless to say, both the gym and books kept collecting dust.

I’m not making excuses, well…maybe I am, sure there are lots of well disciplined people who manage to stay sharp while raising lots of little humans, but I wasn’t one of them. The struggle was real.

All that to say, I’m being more conscious of it now. Figuring out how to do the things that make me better. Still keeping priorities straight, just adding to the list the habits that took a proverbial back seat to the little things in the actual back seat.

Resolution: Stay the course. Focus on the family, and staying sharp FOR them. Invite them into my practice as much as possible.

Carry Forward: Am I still spending too much time searching out dopamine, and is a detox period necessary or can I go cold turkey?