BLINDERS

Part 1

From time to time, I catch myself going through the motions at the gym

I refer to this as zombie mode, where I am just sleepwalking through a workout

Physically, I may be there, but mentally I am somewhere else

Often, it happens when I decide to listen to an audiobook or podcast

Or maybe, I decide to listen to an audiobook or podcast when I know I’m in zombie mode

Likely, a mix of both

I have found that I tend to fall into zombie mode when I go into the gym already fatigued

I am still able to get myself there, but I don’t completely show up in my workout

Thankfully I have come across a simple way to snap out of zombie mode when I catch myself in it

And Hey, sometimes I know I am in zombie mode, and I let myself stay there

Letting myself have a mediocre day every once in a while actually seems helpful

It makes me appreciate how much better I feel when I am fully present and focused one thing

The issue with one zombie day, is that it is easy to let it carry over into the next day, into the next workout, into my next activity

And all of a sudden, I’ve developed a habit of listening to audiobooks and podcasts during my workout time, rather than focusing on the task at hand

Sure I still get the exercises done, but I do not feel the same sense of accomplishment or momentum when I leave the gym

And it becomes harder and harder to break the habit each day it continues

The idea of exercising without external stimulation starts to sound so unappealing

Today, I found myself in zombie mode

I did not sleep well last night, and while I made it to the gym this morning, I was not fully there

I was going through the motions, listening to an audiobook, doing a series of lifts I’ve done 100 times before

Participating with low engagement is accurate description

About halfway through, I decided to do something that frankly, I did not want to do

Plyometric jumping exercises

I have wanted to reincorporate these back into my leg-day

For the last few weeks, I have been very successful at finding all sorts of excuses to put it off

My thought process today:

“Well, since I am already not feeling great, why not give these a shot”

“My mood sucks anyways so can’t hurt to try”

I took off my headphones, and for the next 15 minutes I focused solely on jumping

And throughout that progression, I felt myself becoming more and more present

There was no external narration to distract me

I couldn’t focus on an outside voice anymore

I was left to deal with the one inside my head

And as the difficulty progressed, so did my attitude

Each set become more of a challenge, yet I found myself more and more determined

The focus I was missing at the start of the session was not only there, it was expanding

This isn’t just a one-off occurrence

When we increase the intensity of the task at hand, we force ourselves to become more present

We force ourselves to put on blinders to external distractions

All that matters is what is right in front of you

If you find yourself bored on the treadmill, increase the speed

You’ll become more engaged

And while it may not seem like it at first…

You’ll eventually find yourself feeling more enjoyment

PS: I asked Claude about this experience

Check out his explanation below:

(This is written by a Large-Language AI Model)…

When you engage in physical exercise, your body and mind are both involved in the process. Your mind can wander, especially during repetitive or monotonous exercises, leading to a decrease in focus and potentially reducing performance. This is where the concept of arousal comes into play.

Arousal refers to the physiological and psychological state of being awake, alert, and attentive. It exists on a continuum from low arousal (sleepiness, boredom) to high arousal (excitement, anxiety). The relationship between arousal and performance is described by the Yerkes-Dodson law, which suggests that there is an optimal level of arousal for peak performance, and this level varies depending on the task’s complexity.

For well-practiced or simple tasks, such as running on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike, a higher level of arousal can be beneficial. When you find your mind wandering during these types of exercises, increasing the intensity (e.g., running faster, increasing the resistance) can help elevate your arousal level. This increased arousal can lead to improved focus on the task at hand, as your body and mind become more engaged in the activity.

The increased intensity can also lead to the release of neurotransmitters and hormones, such as endorphins, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which can positively affect mood, attention, and motivation. These neurochemical changes can contribute to an improved exercise experience and better performance.

However, it’s essential to recognize that there is a point of diminishing returns. If the intensity becomes too high, it can lead to over-arousal, which may result in decreased performance and an unpleasant experience. This is more likely to occur with complex or unfamiliar tasks, where high levels of arousal can interfere with cognitive processes and motor control.

To optimize the benefits of increased arousal during exercise, it’s important to find a balance that works for you. This may involve experimenting with different levels of intensity and paying attention to your body’s signals. It’s also crucial to ensure that you are exercising safely and not pushing yourself beyond your limits, as this can lead to injury or burnout.

Thought of the Day: 06–14–2024

(Reflections and Forward Thoughts)

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