My 108kg journey to the finish the Ironman :)

The idea of winning at least one triathlon before I turn 30 recently entered my mind recently when I was talking to a friend. I know cycling and running (10km under 7mins) and planning learn swimming as well. I have plenty of time until I turn 30. I was just curious whether we have anyone here who is preparing / has participated / won a triathlon...

There is always something that would speak to your soul. Something that you pursued for the pure joy of experiencing it. Something that made you the happiest, made you feel content for where you were, and in which you thrived. What is that story of yours?

Also I know my pace is bad, but please excuse that, I am not at best fitness level

As I'm entering a new stage of life, I'm starting to reevaluate my career priorities. In my 20s, I was all about climbing the ladder and chasing prestige. Now, I'm more focused on finding work that aligns with my values and allows for a balanced lifestyle. Have any of you gone through a similar shift? How did it change your career trajectory? And how do you define success for yourself now versus when you first started out?

Life has become so dry and meaningless nowadays. Struggle connects us on some level. I’d love to hear your stories of struggle and how you overcame it. Here’s my story. I studied B.E for 7 years because of backlogs. Every year was a new batch, no friends. Extreme depression, humiliation everywhere. Isolated myself from an extremely judgmental society. Confidence had no meaning in my life. Somehow struggled and cleared all the backlogs. Studied programming and web design. Started working for free. After 1 year, first salary was 2k per month. Then 18k. Then 30k. I always felt dumb because of the backlogs. Want to rectify it. So went to the US with the only admit I got. Studied my ass off. GPA 3.95. But I was broke again. Cried my eyes out multiple times because I had no money for food. Couldn’t tell this to parents. Found a job later after many many applications. Happiest moment of achievement was when I bought my first 43 inch LED TV. With my own money. Current pay: over 2L / mo.

I started with a job of 8k/month as a data entry operator after my B.Tech from an expensive tier 4 college which I paid for using an education loan. Had major inferiority complex. Probably still do. Took some 5 years years after b.tech to pay that off. Didn't have a job in 2 of those years. Worked as a milkman for those two years. Anyway..somehow I got a meaningful job in 2017 and today I am a tech lead with 70L base and some equity. Reached this giant(atleast in my mind) milestone of 1 Cr this month. Could not have even dreamt of this much money some 5 years back. Yet, now some family members and family tell me "tukka lag gya tera" (you got lucky). But I keep feeling that I did kinda work hard for this in a way but it hurts when a first uncle or first cousin says "Tukka lag gya tera". Ofcourse now I feel financially confident(somewhat) and I try enjoy whatever pressures I can. Just wanted to share my little story.

Batao!

Picture: After 4 months of DUP, my progress. Alright, so I used DUP—Daily Undulating Periodization. DUP is all about varying the intensity and volume of your workouts throughout the week, not only to avoid plateaus but also to boost muscle growth and strength. I tweaked my strength training days so I was hitting different rep ranges and intensities. Let's break it down. Weekly Schedule with DUP: Monday: Upper Body Strength Training (Heavy) - Warm-Up: 10 minutes (dynamic stretching, light cardio) - Bench Press: 4 sets of 4-6 reps (Heavy Weight) - Bent Over Rows: 4 sets of 4-6 reps (Heavy Weight) - Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 6-8 reps - Pull-Ups/Assisted Pull-Ups: 3 sets of 4-6 reps (Weighted if possible) - Dumbbell Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 8-10 reps - Tricep Dips: 3 sets of 8-10 reps (Weighted if possible) - Cool-Down: 10 minutes (static stretching) Tuesday: Cardio/HIIT - No change here. The plan is solid for burning fat and improving endurance. Wednesday: Lower Body Strength Training (Moderate) - Warm-Up: 10 minutes (dynamic stretching, light cardio) - Squats: 4 sets of 8-10 reps (Moderate Weight) - Deadlifts: 4 sets of 8-10 reps (Moderate Weight) - Lunges: 3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg - Leg Press: 3 sets of 12-15 reps - Hamstring Curls: 3 sets of 8-10 reps - Calf Raises: 3 sets of 12-15 reps - Cool-Down: 10 minutes (static stretching) Thursday: Active Recovery (Yoga/Stretching) - 30 minutes focusing on flexibility and relaxation. Crucial for recovery and mobility. Friday: Full Body Strength Training (Light) - Warm-Up: 10 minutes (dynamic stretching, light cardio) - Clean and Press: 4 sets of 8-10 reps (Light Weight) - Deadlifts: 3 sets of 12-15 reps (Light Weight) - Pull-Ups: 3 sets of 8-10 reps (Assisted if needed) - Squats: 3 sets of 12-15 reps (Light Weight) - Push-Ups: 3 sets to failure - Plank: 3 sets of 60 seconds - Cool-Down: 10 minutes (static stretching) Saturday: Cardio/HIIT - Same as Tuesday. Keep the heart rate up and metabolism fired. Sunday: Rest/Active Recovery (Light Walk) - Perfect for shaking off any residual fatigue and resetting for the upcoming week. Nutrition Plan: - No changes here. Balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Tracking Progress and Tips for Success: - Follow the same method for tracking progress and stay consistent with your workouts and nutrition. - Rest and recover. The varied intensity will be demanding, so take recovery seriously. - Form and technique are non-negotiable. Stick to proper forms to prevent injuries. - Keep the right mindset. Stay positive and trust the process. This variation with DUP will keep your body guessing and change your physique.