I started waking up early a few months ago whereas previous to that I kind of prided myself on the fact that my job is so versatile that I was able to wake up whenever I felt like it and get on with my day at my own pace. This is nice and all until you factor in that I tend to gravitate towards booze and well, when you don't have to wake up at any particular time and have a penchant for alcohol, that can lead to lying in bed feeling sorry for yourself frequently.
I started setting an alarm a few months ago and sticking to it and that alarm has been going off earlier and earlier as the weeks have gone by.
A big reason for this is the fact that we are entering the time of year here in Vietnam where it is unbearably hot most of the day and doing anything outdoors, even just a walk, becomes like playing a game of walking "hot potato" every time you go outside.
Once that blazing ball gets about 25% of the way up the "screen" the world becomes an almost unbearable place to be outdoors, so it was just a few days ago that I made the choice - during a 7am or so walk at the time - that Nadi and I were going to start waking up earlier.
Walking around my neighborhood at that time was nice because the idiots in cars and on motorbikes haven't started honking at everything yet and the construction isn't allowed to start using power tools. The roads were basically completely empty and quiet. I did do a bit of a morbid curiosity walk-by at the 24-hour bar near my house and of course I knew a few people that were still there from the night before. That was my old life and when I was speaking to them I could see that they were having a some moments of self-reflection because while I had just woken up and was heading out to take the dog for a walk and get a bit of exercise in, they were hammered and haven't gone to bed yet. I haven't gotten to the point of being preachy towards anyone...yet.
Down at the beach though, which is just a few blocks from my apartment, it was a completely different story: While I knew this was the case I was unaware at the vast numbers that the Vietnamese head to the beach in the morning.
it's about 5:15 in the morning and this place is much busier than it will be in the afternoon. The Vietnamese and most other Asians don't care to be in the sun and this is the one time of day that you can enjoy it down here without it being hot as the Blue Blazes complete with foot-skin melting sand. It's a bit nuts that there are so many people here swimming, paying volleyball and just doing what foreigners would do at a beach in the middle of the day. A bit further down, Nadi and I discovered even more people in the promenade.
She is trying to be polite and not stare at them... well, it's either that or the little food truck that is selling sandwiches is in the direction that she is looking. But just behind her there is a group of people doing aerobics as a team.
Based on the bags that are in front of most of the participants as well as the matching shirts for some of them, I would say that this is not a flash mob, but something that these people do every day. Maybe this is part of the reason why Vietnamese people tend to be (or at least appear) healthier than their western counterparts. I know that these are locals too because I walked past hundreds of people and almost none of them were foreigners even though this is one of the most popular tourist areas in the entire country.
We ended up walking over 4000 steps, which isn't a huge amount of distance for me, but when your legs are only 6 inches long and you have 4 of them, that is quite a distance, especially when adjusted for dog years you are 84 years old. So Nadi is back to fast asleep behind me on her special window chair right now and will likely remain there for quite some time.
Me? Well I am still kind of waiting for the caffeine to kick in from my coffee I just made.
Do I enjoy this new way of life? Well, I guess so. It certainly is better than waking up with a hangover around 10 AM or so, which honestly, is something that in the past 20 - 30 years was something I started to become quite familiar with.
This started out as a way for me to "beat the heat" but I think there might be more to this than just that. My sleep should improve as well as other aspects of my life as well.
You're right about that. I used to go running at 6am, due to the heat and at 7am I was done with it. When I was coming home, others were sitting at the terrace of a bar and looking strange at me, like I was the crazy one, while drinking their coffee and their first vodka.
I can tell you from experience, that knowing you already did your walk and/or run, gives you satisfaction for the whole day. It improves your sleep as well as you now have a schedule in your life and wake up fresh, full of energy. It's a very good thing and you'll see the benefits of it. Improved quality of life. Just need to be consistent.
Congrats btw, it's not a small thing, but you're on the right track.
seeing the people at the bar kind of makes me chuckle when I see them. I am sure that their day is going to absolutley suck
You are right about that. Starting the day with strong alcohol is the worst thing one can do.
Look at you go! You know I have said I thought that getting up between 4 and 4:30 would be easier the more I did it, but that definitely isn't the case. It still sucks every morning that I do it. I can say though that the days I decide to sleep in and not get up when I am supposed to, I definitely don't feel like I have as good of a day as the other ones. It's just an off feeling when you don't get up and work out. It kind of messes up your whole day and you really start to wonder if that extra half hour was worth it.
often I wake up before my alarm and I know that most times I am going to be unable to get back to sleep easily. If that is the case, just get up anyway.
I do that too. Smart play!
A new great achievement unlock! Waking up early might be difficult especially when our body is against it. But when we get used to it, it will suddenly becomes our lifestyle.
That beach walk seems relaxing and the people take the opportunity to do their things at the beach when the sun is not yet high because when it comes up, surely they can't do those things there.
well you CAN do them there all day but I think Asians are more opposed to dark skin and skin cancer or something
Definitely! It is because we get darker more easily, lol, maybe because of melanin something.
It is so beautiful and calm at 5am. I believe it is an ideal time to go for a walk, especially with your Nadi. Very nice way to start an energetic day, and feel the day last longer. I may need to work on that cause I often wake up around 6.30am hehe
Who knew so many people get up so early lol. I did the 5am in the army and swore blind I would never lead that life again as I am tired ready for bed by 8pm and that is just not fun. I think it is great you can do this and it suits your new lifestyle.
most days I am happily home at 8pm anyway. I don't necessarily go to sleep, but I am in bed by 9 most nights. The nightlife here is ok but I overindulged in the past 5 years
This shift wasn’t just about beating the heat, but about slowly stepping away from habits that were starting to drag you under. I love how Nadi’s along for the ride too, trotting her little legs off while the world’s just waking up.😍
I am also dreaming about walking and jogging early in the morning, but my body is always stuck on my bed.
I adore you for the new lifestyle that changes you for the better, keep going and always take care!
Nadi was very blessed to have you as a parent because you always included Nadi in your daily routine. Good thing you both doing the exercise while neighbors are still not awake and the Mister Sun do not shine yet.
it's dangerously hot during the day for a dog, the street is so hot you can cook food on it if you wanted to.
I wish to have that beach to walk. Here I walk besides the road when most of the sidewalk vendor not yet open. Walking is my go to, not heavy but beneficial . I wish I could do it every day. Keep going.
It's amazing to wake up in the morning have a peaceful mind and positivity. No noise, only fresh air and good surroundings. I'm happy for you and amaze that you choose healthy routine in life.
the noise comes a few hours later. Once 7 hits, it is noisy everywhere.
Walking and jogging early in the morning is great. I also remember the other days that I wake up very early to have a morning walk or a jog. It's a nice feeling sweating early morning.
The way the little pup looks at the distance looks so cute! Good for you and Nadi to be having morning walks. It helps alot in energizing and reducing stress early in the morning. 😁😁
Good for you! I would want to wake up early again. I haven't been waking up early for a couple of years already, as my job requires me to be awake until midnight.
Sounds like those 5am walks are doing you good. It's surprising how mammy people are on the beach that early
What an achievement! I always wanted to have a routinely walk every morning. But,I'm just too lazy! Good for you.
Hey, @justinparke here. Sorry for the inconvenience, but my family and I arrived in the USA and for several days we were busy getting over jetlag and visiting family. Now I am back to voting and curating, but will be voting at roughly 50% less than normal until I am caught up again. Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope for all to be back to normal within 48 hours.
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