Getting Back in Shape

It's been 8-1/2 months since we cancelled our gym memberships and have been trying to do it on our own. Being pretty religious 5-day/week gym-goers it was a big change. While still at home packing up to leave, we were able to squeeze in a decent workout many days. When we shifted to living out of the truck, the workout shifted to hiking + walking. Next was Europe. We made time when we could - Sometimes 10 min., sometimes an hour, sometimes nothing, but we were doing a LOT of walking - Between 4 and 10 miles a day. Once we hit India though, everything stopped. You just can't DO much in temps over 110F. You can't even walk much. Many afternoons have been spent just laying naked on our bed under a fan after having taken a cold shower just to stay cool. We try to fit 2-3 of those cold showers into our days now just so we don't get heat exhaustion! I remember all those freezing cold nights sleeping in the truck now and it seems like a million years ago... but I digress. Staying in shape. It's really essential as part of your daily routine while travelling long-term to keep you feeling "normal". Especially when you're eating every meal out and it's not NEARLY as healthy as what you'd be cooking at home.

So now we're in Rishikesh, the Yoga capital of the World. Don't ask if it's a self proclamation, but there are a TON of Yoga studios and Ashrams here. For the past 6 days we've been taking 2 Hatha classes a day (only $1.75/ class!) and after the initial soreness, are beginning to finally feel like we're getting back in shape. We can stretch farther, our backs are no longer constantly aching, and despite the heat, we have more energy. "Praise Krishna!" I suppose they would say here. We're enjoying it so much and it's such a chill scene here that we'll stay a few more days before continuing North.