Finding Balance

"Ever wondered what happens when you mix a sore butt, a bit of knee pain, and 1100km of cycling? Spoiler alert: it's not as glamorous as it sounds!"

Hey friends,

I had initially drafted a newsletter focusing on our two-week bikepacking trip, but my thoughts have taken me elsewhere. Don't worry, I'll share the full adventure soon! For now, here's a brief summary: we cycled 1100km along the Danish west coast, from south to north and back again. It was a fantastic experience, even though there were moments of questioning what we were doing out there. My body mostly handled it well, aside from a sore butt and a bit of knee pain towards the end. You know, the usual price you pay when you not only forget to do your physio exercises regularly, but even forget the routines entirely. I feel like an idiot just typing this, but hey, I'm trying to be kinder to myself.

During the trip, my Whoop recovery scores ranged from red to green, which was a pleasant surprise. I expected more red, given the mileage and, let’s be honest, my questionable recovery habits. But it turns out my body was playing nice for once. Maybe all those sleepless nights camping in the great outdoors didn’t trash my system as much as I feared. Who knew that a thin sleeping mat and the constant threat of rain could result in such a varied recovery score? It’s a strange mix of relief and a wake-up call.

“Maybe I'm not as fragile as I keep convincing myself I am.”

Back home, I was hoping for some magical transformation on the scale, but reality decided to keep things humble. I ended up losing about 2kg, if that. But hey, it was a holiday. We burned a ton of calories, sure, but we also indulged in foods we don’t usually eat at home.

“No calorie counting or fasting, just enjoying the ride and the occasional after ride ice cream or bag of chips and lemonade.”

So, yeah, the scale wasn’t my best friend, but who needs that kind of negativity in their life anyway?

I've been back for a week now, and honestly, I haven't done much physical activity beyond some stretching. Am I a bit ashamed of myself? Yeah, maybe a tad. I had this grand plan to keep my movement levels up, but reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Work swooped in, my body felt like it had been through a wringer, and motivation decided to take a holiday of its own.

"So here I am, one week back and barely any exercise to show for it. But remember that whole 'being kinder to myself' thing? Yeah, I'm working on it."

Other priorities took center stage, and that's okay. Next week, though, I'm ready to get back on the bike and back to some semblance of a routine.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Kindness: It’s easy to be hard on yourself, especially when you don’t meet your own expectations. Trust me, I’ve been there, staring at my physio exercises with a mix of guilt and disdain. But it’s crucial to practice self-compassion. Recognizing the need for kindness towards oneself is a significant step in mental health. If I can give myself a break for forgetting those routines, so can you.
• Body Signals: My Whoop recovery scores were all over the place, but it showed that my body could handle the trip better than expected. Listening to your body and understanding its signals is vital for sustainable fitness. Whether it’s a green score on a sleepless night or a red one after a rest day, it’s all part of understanding your body’s unique rhythm.
• Balancing Routine and Flexibility: On the trip, we enjoyed the freedom of not counting calories or fasting. Now, back home, it's time to re-establish those routines. Finding a balance between strict routines and flexibility is essential for long-term success. Indulgence during the trip wasn’t a setback, but a part of the journey. Now, it’s about getting back on track without feeling guilty.
• Accepting Imperfection: I haven’t been active since returning, and that’s okay. Acknowledging where I am without harsh judgment helps me move forward positively. We all have those weeks when life takes over, and that’s perfectly normal. The important part is getting back on track when you’re ready, not beating yourself up for taking a break.

"Small steps, no matter how tiny, are still steps forward."

Moving Forward:

Next week, I plan to get back into a regular routine of cycling and daily movement. The goal is to build on the progress made during the trip, focusing on consistency rather than perfection. I'm excited to share this part of my journey with you, and I hope it inspires you to continue your own. Remember, small steps, no matter how tiny, are still steps forward.

Stay tuned for the detailed recount of our bikepacking trip next week. Until then, let’s embrace the journey, imperfections and all.

Ride on,
Björn