Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 29 degrees, hot, Sunny and beautiful blue skies; a beautiful day.
When I visited England in November last year, I didn’t take my TRX straps; I only brought a skipping rope that later broke.
Due to the cold winter months of December and January, it was difficult for me to exercise outside in my mother’s back garden. I would do some simple aerobic abdominal exercises, like plank, in the living room, but I wouldn’t start doing more strenuous exercise outside until later. I cannot remember the exact date I started exercising outdoors, but it was around the middle of February.
It was still cold, but not as severe as in December and January. I remember it was a Monday at the start of the week, and it was quite cold for what I am used to in Rio, but I still started skipping outside.
Initially, it was a shock; it was very cold for me, and I was almost unable to feel my fingertips. However, as I continued to skip, despite the cold and cold skin, I felt that my body, my core inside, was quite warm.
This gave me confidence to carry on, and besides skipping, I completed a full workout with elastic bands. The combination of the cold outside and the warmth inside my body made me truly happy. I believe this is what they call an endorphin rush. I was incredibly happy not just at that moment but for the rest of the day. It was terrific; from that day on, only if it rained, I would not exercise outside in England’s cold.
Now that I am back in Rio for a brief visit, my old TRX straps that I left behind when I travelled are here. Nalva had not thrown them away, so now I am experimenting with a more comprehensive exercise routine. If I analyse properly, I am now: walking, walking to and from the park, skipping for at least 20 minutes, TRX bodyweight exercises for both legs and arms, and elastic bands for the arms and torso.
I’m noticing a positive difference. I’m really enjoying the change and feeling it in my body. Since I haven’t used the TRX straps for at least 8 months, returning to them has made me notice how this new exercise routine is affecting other parts and muscles of my body.
I thought about buying TRX straps in England, but with everything else I needed to buy, I set them aside. When I return to England, I will take the straps with me. My exercise routine has improved since I started again in Brazil, and has continued into my work routine too.
In Nalva and Yasmin’s flat, I had built a small work desk during the six months I stayed there before going to England. When I went to England, Yasmin took it over as her study space. Now I’m sharing it with her, and it works well.
In England, I conducted classes in my mother’s front living room, which had a small dining table. It was fine, but it didn’t offer the same level of freedom I have in Brazil. Sometimes my mother would come in; it’s her house, but I had to be careful what I said because she was always listening, both directly and indirectly.
In Brazil, the chair is a proper office chair, whereas in England, it was simply a regular wooden dining chair. It may sound trivial, but it makes a difference when you’re sitting for four, five, six, or even eight hours. Having the proper setup and atmosphere to work in makes a significant impact. It’s like a car: the idea is that a businessman or executive with a good car helps project confidence and enhances their professional image. Of course, everyone is different, but I believe there is some truth to it.
Our environment, surroundings, and the people in our daily lives can both support and hinder us and our professional growth. It is also crucial to be aware of whether our environment is proactive and positive for us.
I have mentioned many times how well I was received when I lived in Rocha; however, I felt it was necessary to leave, as I knew my life would not improve as I wanted if I continued living there. My friends only focused on drinking and having a good time; it’s enjoyable for a short while. But it is a distraction, and there is no future in distractions.
Nalva likes to have a lot of things and clutter at home. I have tried to talk to her about this, to unclutter her flat and consequently her mind, simplify her life, but there is always an excuse for more and more stuff in the flat and complications in her mind.
We don’t need much to be happy. Starting the day with exercise in a positive way gives me happiness; it prepares me for the rest of the day and the trials and tribulations to come. Simplicity is everything; it is a recipe for happiness, peace, and contentment.
I have revived my exercise routine, and I am also revising my blog posts. I have more than 200 blog posts until now, and I have discovered a broken link to my Instagram photography account.
I am pasting a new link in each post; it is a little tedious and labour-intensive, but it must be done. If I want the blog to be a success, I need to focus on quality in the small details more than quantity. There are other issues I need to address regarding the blog, and without planning, June will be dedicated to revising and improving it.
Am I disappointed?
No, not one bit. If I can finish this month with the blog better than it was a month ago and improve its quality for readers, then the extra work will be a welcome surprise, and I will be very happy, proud, and relieved when it is all done.
Taking pride in what we do is very good, extremely gratifying and rewarding, and it makes a big difference in the final product and the end result.
In bed by 11:00 p.m.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading this blog post. Please explore my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments section.
Richard
