Strengthening my body…It’s so hard

This is Haru-chan, the Kendo Cat.

I am about 10 years old in cat age … (don’t convert to human age, please).

Well, at this age, it’s hard to hop around in the fields and mountains like I did when I was younger. Actually, I’m a house cat (dojo cat), so I’ve never been to any mountains or fields…

Lately, especially at work or in kendo,

if I make even the slightest awkward movement,

I hurt my back or shoulder so easily.

And once I hurt myself, it takes a long time to heal.

My back started to hurt again

I feel really down

Are there many adult kenshi all over the world experiencing the same thing ?

In my case, it usually hurts in the same place (my left hip).

Maybe the muscles in that area are weak,

or maybe they’ve become stiff and inflexible from overuse?

I’m no expert- this is just a guess based on watching a lot of YouTube “injury videos”.

So,

I decided to build up some muscle strength!

I decided to stretch and improve my flexibility!

I spread out my yoga mat at home and started doing a four-muscle training exercises menu for strengthening my lower back and hips.

But…

Here he comes again!

Yes, that guy.

The guy who always shows up whenever I start strength training is “Mr. Three-Day Quit.”

Mr.3-Day Quit

Hello, here I am again!

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a three-day, but a seven-day quit,

but it probably doesn’t make much difference.

This time, in order to encourage myself, on every day I did my strength training, I allowed myself to put a cute apple sticker 🍎 on that day on my calendar.

But after I had seven apples 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎 🍎, my training was over.

Why… why can’t I keep it up?

I wrote this question as if I didn’t know the answer, but actually I’ve already known the answer.

The answer is…

Because I can’t feel or see the results right away.

Well…, wouldn’t it be surprising if I saw results after three or seven days?

Just how impatient am I?

If I don’t strengthen my core and back,

I’ll probably hurt myself again,

And most importantly, I know it will affect my kendo progress.

If so, why don’t I keep it up?

(Self-questioning time)

Let’s look at some of the things that are brewing inside me…

1) Working out alone in silence is kind of boring.

2) The workout menu is so hard for me to begin with (even though it’s the easiest routine…).

3) As I mentioned before, I don’t feel any results (I can’t get my ideal achievement right away)

4) When I’m working out, my cat friend Mugi-chan rubs up against me and asks, “What are you doing?” She’s so cute I can’t concentrate.

I’ve made a bunch of excuses, but

After rereading them, I think the main reason for my quitting is #3 and maybe #4 is the second-most likely.

Or maybe I’m actually a child of the iPhone generation? (I’ll make believe I am a little younger.)

I can’t wait.

I have no patience.

I can’t hold back.

I know, I know, I know the feelings!

But that’s why you’re no good! (I’m saying this to myself)

From here on, I’m going to be a little rude, because I’m talking to myself about it. Please bear with me♪

Hey, Haru-chan! Do you really want to get better at kendo?

Are you just talking?

If you really want to improve your kendo, and if one way to achieve that is clearly to build your body strength, then all you have to do is persevere!

In kendo practice, even though it’s mundane, you have been practicing the basics for years and years.

In fact, it took you a whole year or even two years just to slightly fix your head position when you’re in chuda-no-kamae.

Isn’t it the same thing?

It’s mundane, it’s not exciting, and the results aren’t immediately visible, but

You’re being tested to see if you can endure it!

You’re being tested to see if you’re serious, or if you’re just talking!

Whether you do it or not is up to you!

That’s it!

Well… you’re right, me.

I was stupid.