Week 41, 2025: Slow, sore, satisfying

G’day folks.

I resumed, or rather, restarted after a really long time, my strength training workout this week. I hadn't done it in a while too so my body was generally sore throughout the week.

My main goal this week was to get back into the swing of things (no pun intended), and start building a good discipline. I am also doing this at home using my trusty dumbbells (different weights). Definitely planning to also hit the gym at some point after.

One thing’s for sure: it always felt damn good after each workout — I really missed that feeling. That alone makes me want to keep going every day.

Here’s a broad breakdown of my workout plan.

• Mondays: Upper body (Push — Chest, shoulders, and triceps)
• Tuesdays: Lower body (Legs, glutes, and hamstrings)
• Wednesdays: Core and mobility (Abs, obliques, lower back)
• Thursdays: Upper body (Pull — Back, biceps, and traps)
• Fridays: Full-body circuit (Conditioning; HIIT — CrossFit-ish)
• Sat/Sun: Rest or cardio (if I am feeling up to it)

Yes, I used ChatGPT to help me develop this plan. Shhh.

Most of my workout exercises focus on doing 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps each. I’m already beginning to see a bit of form and definition — especially in my biceps, traps, and back, which feels motivating. My posture has also noticeably improved, something I caught myself realising during my airport visit this weekend.

Tuesday was brutal, though. Leg day. I hated it (hyperbolically speaking). Squats and lunges with weights. I collapsed right after from the pain and exhaustion and thought my body was broken (oh, the things I put myself through.) Friday made up for it as my Apple Watch says it was my highest calorie burn yet (~657 cal).

Definitely been pushing myself hard in terms of my efforts — full steam ahead. All in all, a good first week back. Slow, sore, and satisfying.

This weekend, my family and I visited Goa — a quick, one-day trip. We stopped by a temple, had Konkan lunch at a restaurant in Panjim, and ended the day at the beach.

I missed doing this for two (three?) weeks now, but I also haven’t been listening to much music lately, but if one were to ask me what my most-played track this week was, it’s probably Phantom Lord, by Metallica. The guitar riff. Oof.

Until next time.