Day 3: Journal Writing Challenge

Yesterday, I did my journal writing for 30 min while having my cup of coffee. In fact, the day before I did the same.

What I am realizing is that it’s difficult for me to sit and do the challenge. But once I get going, I manage to do it.

Seeing my jumbled thoughts emerge on paper, is very satisfying. Writing in this manner helps me reflect on many areas of my life. I feel I remain more observant during the day.

While I am still giving in to activities that are not planned for the day, I am getting there.

Today, I have a lot of work to do so I am going to do this at night before sleeping. Yesterday, I couldn’t get my work done during the day, so I was literally sleeping while completing my work. So, I want to get as much work done as possible & then tackle this task.

This is the reason, I have decided to do my meditation at night too. I did go for a walk though & did some grounding.

Walking & especially grounding in the morning brings me so much joy in the morning.

I am so glad that my low-carb eating style helps me wake up charged enough to go for my morning walks or exercise sessions. Today, I just had a glass of water & headed out the door.

That’s the update from me about the various habit challenges that I am pursuing every month.

So far all of them have turned out to be useful and I am planning to stick to them.

The first challenge was starting my day with min 30 gms of protein in the first meal. Second, was walking for at least 30 min each day. The third was meditating for 30 min each day of the month. Now, I am doing the journal challenge.

This month is challenging as I also have a big work project with daily, weekly and monthly deliverables. That’s why it is a challenge.

One of the major benefits of these habit challenges is that I am finding it much easier to not spend all my free time on social media.

Even writing a short blog every day is a good habit. I think that was the idea for me when I started updating my challenges here.

Try to stay with a consciously adopted habit for 30 days and see how it goes for you. Let me know if you do.

Day 1: Journal Writing Challenge

I wrote in the afternoon for 30 min. I switched on the airconditioning and then listened to some soft music as I wrote. If nothing else, it brought down my stress levels.

I have made a separate journal for this challenge. It’s a rough notebook, which I am going to discard after the challenge. Because it’s all free writing.

Whenever I do this challenge, it always starts like this. Initially, my thoughts are jumbled and then they start getting more organized and clear. It’s as if I become more mindful. My language starts improving and I become more creative with my language.

So let’s see how this challenge goes.

Day 29 & 30: Meditation Challenge Update

Today is the last day of the 30-minute meditation challenge for this month. I am really happy with the way this challenge went. I was able to consistently meditate for an hour on most days except for a couple of days when I was super tired or got delayed. On those days, I did 30 min only.

Yesterday, on day 29, I managed to complete one hour of meditation before sleeping, and today, I completed another hour of meditation in the morning.

What I have learned is that I enjoy meditating at night before sleeping. Initially, I found it hard to incorporate meditation in the morning. But as I have progressed through this month, I have found it easy to meditate in the morning also.

These are some of the benefits that I have noticed

First, it really helps me sleep better. It slows down my mind and helps me unwind from the chaos of the day. Spending some time with my thoughts in the quietness, helps me sort out the unwanted thoughts and keep the ones that are important for me. It’s almost like cleaning up my mind before sleeping. I have noticed that my sleep has become better. I didn’t really track my sleep on the app via my smartwatch, because I like to remove my watch while meditating. Mostly, I didn’t wear it after my meditation so I slept without it. Hence, it is difficult to track.

Second, I wake up refreshed. Eating low-carb has already reduced my morning lethargy. When I used to eat high-carb, I used to feel stiffness in my body upon waking up. I accidentally discovered this a few years ago, that’s how I got interested in the low-carb way of eating. I will write about it in another post, someday. So, while lethargy was not there, meditating at night before sleeping made me realize that my mind also felt rested.

Third, it has helped me reduce my tech usage. I didn’t watch Netflix or use technology for one hour before sleeping. I think this is a great way to wean away from the tech habit at night. Usually after my meditation, I don’t feel like checking my social media or watching Netflix. Even if I do, it’s for a minute or two before I am fast asleep.

Fourth, I have better focus and concentration during the day. Even during the day, I am less prone to check my social media apps than before I started this challenge. I don’t get caught up in conversations that don’t add much value to my life.

Fifth, it turns my thoughts in a positive direction. I mainly do Vipassana-style meditation, which I learned a few years ago. This month I have used a guided Vipassana meditation for an hour. Usually, when I have a break, I prefer starting with guided meditation, otherwise, I find it difficult to sit through it. Listening to the meditation tape, helps me to practice being in a non-reactive, balanced state of mind.

Sixth, I have better control over my hunger levels & am fasting with more ease. In the last month, I have felt that meditation has had an effect on balancing my hormones. As my response to stressful situations has improved, so is my response to food.

Seventh, I feel that the time has expanded. Earlier, I used to feel that there is not enough time to do anything. But now, I feel I have extra time and can do much more than before. I don’t feel a sense of urgency so much. I am more relaxed and at ease with my workload.

Eighth, I think meditation goes very well with a low-carb, time-restricted eating style I practice these days. Meditating in the morning & then going for a walk, similarly, walking & then meditating at night is a better way to begin and end your day. It allows our body to prepare for the day and end the day with a relaxed, stress-free attitude. Even when I am working till late or early in the morning, a short meditation changes my attitude toward my work and provides a good transition between bed and work.

These are a few of my observations from the monthly challenge of 30-minute meditation every day for April 24. For the next month, I want to focus on writing every day for 30 min. I do free journaling on and off. But this time, I want to do it consistently for a month as a challenge. I will write daily updates on my blog. Writing here daily has helped me track and observe my progress much better.

Day 25, 26, 27 & 28: Meditation Challenge Update

It’s been four days since I updated here about my meditation challenge. Thankfully, I have been meditating, even if I haven’t updated.

But I can see that I vaguely remember my meditation experience from day 25. 25th was Thursday, so I meditated after I updated for day 24 here. It was late, but I slept well after my meditation and woke up on time for my gym class on 26th.

I was grateful for the gym class on 26th, as it brought clarity to my thoughts. 26th I attended the Metabolic Health Conference virtually and even hosted a session. My session was late at night at 9pm so by the time I got done, it was pretty late.

However, after I was done with the session, I watched the last session and then as I was going to sleep, I remembered to meditate. It was almost midnight. I meditated for about an hour and had a pretty good sleep.

On 27th, Saturday, I woke up a bit late but rested. My morning was a bit slow, but I enjoyed it. Lately, since I started intermittent fasting, I have begun to enjoy slow mornings. I like the fact that there is no food involved in my mornings these days. I usually wake up, and have some fat with warm water, followed by electrolytes. After that, I usually go for exercise or a walk. I like the simplicity of this routine. I will write about my walking routines in another post.

My day went well watching the sessions on Metabolic Health, but I had to step out for a bit due to some stuff I needed to buy. I got a bit delayed while coming back so had a late dinner than usual. Then, I dozed off while watching the sessions and couldn’t do my meditation that day. But I consoled myself that on 26th, I had done 1 hour of meditation around midnight. I had started my meditation at 11:30pm so the 30 min was after 12. Hence, technically I managed to complete 30min meditation on 27th.

One thing I have realized through this challenge is that it is hard to meditate when I feel full of food. So, I have to either do it in the morning, when I wake up or eat early at night, for night meditations.

On 28th, Sunday, I woke up on time and completed my meditation in the morning. After 28 days of meditating an hour every day, I have realized that meditation is now a habit for me. I don’t procrastinate about it. I just do it.

After my meditation, I went for a short walk in the park. I did grounding for 30 min and then got ready for another day of sessions on Metabolic Health. I did complete some work around the house while watching the shows, but I generally kept it light. I also managed to finish making a mandala. I usually like to start and keep a mandala on my desk. So, whenever, I have time, I try to work on the mandala rather than spend my time thinking.

Yesterday night, I again meditated for an hour. It felt good to meditate twice a day. Today, morning I have already meditated for 20 min. But I will do my regular meditation now before sleeping. Today, I also started my fast a bit early, so it would be good to meditate and sleep.

Day 24: Meditation challenge update

Wow! I am on day 25, I can’t believe that I am towards the end of the month. It’s been tough but very rewarding to do this challenge. My mind seems calmer, more organized, and happier. These challenges are helping me to see the value of each of these habits I have always lived by.

This month I have realized the value of meditation. It is so important to give our minds nothing to do. All day we keep thinking but when we leave our mind free for some time, it gets relief and settles down. Otherwise, the pressure keeps our brain on & it can never do the sorting out it needs to do.

Today has been a good day. I am looking forward to tomorrow as the Metabolic Health Conference is starting. I am so excited to be hosting a session in which we will be talking about PCOS and how low carb can help women deal with PCOS.

Tomorrow morning, I have a gym session too. So, it is going to be a packed day. Next week, my work project is starting, and possibly a few other clients for health coaching.

So, until tomorrow.

Day 23: Meditation Challenge Update

Yesterday’s meditation was good and I slept peacefully and well after my meditation.

Today, I woke up quite early at 4 am. But I slept for a little while as my gym session was canceled today. So, I went for a nice long walk. I also cooked, so that I don’t need to cook a lot for 2-3 days.

I also had to make another shopping trip. This is my annual ritual because I get a good discount on stuff that I buy.

I am pretty sleepy already, so I will end here

Day 22: Meditation challenge update

Today, was an easy day. I woke up around 4 am so I did go for my usual morning walk as it is not a training day.

I did fast for almost 23 hours. Yesterday, I finished my meal around 2pm and today, I had my lunch at 1pm. I really enjoy longer fasts these days, but I don’t do them often as it is still difficult to have my required food during a short feeding window. My digestion has improved, but not completely healed.

Today, I am making bone broth. It will cook in a slow cooker for 24 hours. It’s super healing that’s why I drink it. Sometimes, I think that it’s because of bone broth that I am not in a hospital but at home leading a normal life. It has been a long healing journey, which is still continuing.

Yesterday, I had a good meditation. But not a single day has gone by when I haven’t slept during the meditation. It seems that I needed to rest, so this was a good challenge for this month.

I am still thinking of what activity to take up for next month as a challenge. I have quite a few in mind, but I want to take up one by one so that they become a habit.

Now, I am going to sit for my meditation

Day 21: Meditation Challenge Update

Yesterday, I slept well after my meditation. However, it was very late, almost midnight, by the time I completed my meditation & went to sleep. I had a phone call with a client so it delayed me.

Despite sleeping late, I was able to get to the gym on time. I am enjoying starting my workouts around 6 am. I am usually back home by 7:30 and start my work early.

Today, at the gym we celebrated our gym trainer’s birthday. While I practice low-carbs, the others in my gym group don’t. So, they arranged a cake. One of the girls is a home baker, so she baked a cake & quiche. Now, it was difficult for me to say no, as I am also new to this social group. After my workout, I did have a taste of both the cake & the quiche. I only had tiny pieces, but my fast was broken.

So, I came home and had my breakfast early and then had lunch. So, since 2 pm today, I haven’t eaten anything except for some fluids & butter coffee. I still find it hard to fast without some butter coffee. However, I am feeling good, no real dip in my energy levels. This is the first time I have had my last meal so early. I usually prefer to eat during the middle of the day.

My early morning predicament about whether to eat or not to eat the birthday cake made me think about all of us who want to eat the low-carb way. It is difficult when the social environment doesn’t support our choices. So, we have to be more strong to make this work.

Instead of sitting at home, I went for some shopping today in the afternoon so obviously I forgot all about food. This is a good strategy, I adopt sometimes. I plan my shopping trips on the days when I fast. I bought a new dress after a while. I don’t like to buy a lot of clothes these days as I am still working through the pile of clothes in my wardrobe.

But as I came back from shopping, I had an interesting chat with Auto Wallah who dropped me home. He told me that his son has topped the 12th boards exams and he is now studying for the IIT entrance exams. He was concerned about how he would manage the finances to support his son’s education. But he was definitely very excited about his son’s achievement.

It was really a very mixed day. Life certainly gave me variety & a lot to think about today.

Day 20: Meditation challenge update

Yesterday, I had a good meditation after my long walk. I slept well and woke up on time. I went for a walk in the morning and then it was a usual busy Sunday.

I took it easy in the evening to recover enough for my workout session tomorrow morning. It’s already late & I have yet to complete my meditation. I need to wake up at 5 am, so that I can make it for the class on time.

Another week has ended. Next few weeks are going to be busy, so I am trying to get into a groove to get all the pending tasks done.

I will keep it short today.

Day 19: Meditation Challenge Update

Today, was another busy and sweaty day. So, after an early dinner, I decided to go for a long walk of around 7kms. Even when it’s humid outside, walking helps. Walking in the park, when the sky is turning darker & the lights are turning on, reminds me of childhood.

Growing up in a residential school, we always walked everywhere, especially after meals as our mess was at quite a distance from our hostel. It also reminds me of home, when we would sit in the open courtyard and look at the twinkling stars in the dark night above.

It feels like a strange activity now. But I am glad that I can skip late dinners and go for a walk instead. It’s much better to end my days with a nice mellow walk to unwind and reflect on my day. Reflection always helps me center myself.

I feel grateful though that I have time to enjoy such luxuries these days. They are quite in contrast to the days I have spent stuck in traffic in cabs on busy Mumbai roads. Until a few years ago, traveling from one end of the town to another was a daily affair for me. Now, I shudder to even think about it.

That’s why, perhaps, it’s not a good idea to look too much at the past. But it’s nice to remind myself of how my life used to be like before the COVID lockdown. My life has changed drastically. I don’t know if it is a good thing or bad thing, but the change is there to stay.

But let me talk about my meditation yesterday. It was a good meditation. Now, I have fallen into a routine. Although I have mainly meditated in the morning, these days I am really enjoying meditating at night.