track+field: a March 2025 recap
Errand walks, Beirut monsters, Darwin's theory of evolution, Eid kafta, and the sea
This newsletter incorporates movement and activity (hikes, walks, etc) into my work. I’m a productive and self-disciplined person except when it comes to tasks related to taking care of myself (like exercise, diet, and rest). This log blends the two areas of my life (health + work) and it tracks my time in the field.
The 2024 paid newsletter, Grapevine, that was a bulleted list of offline things I was exploring, is now collapsed into this monthly dispatch.
During the month of March/Ramadan, I wanted to cut processed sugar from my diet as I had started craving a sweet treat after almost every meal. During a month of gatherings, this was only difficult to implement when I…left the house. I couldn’t stick to it cold turkey but I was able to reduce my intake which is still a win?
Going forward, the trick will be only allowing it on birthdays or on occasions when the treat is worth the bloat and energy dip that I feel after—like when I bought overpriced cups of fresh strawberries with chocolate sauce, kataifi crunchies, and pistachio cream for Lebanese Mother’s Day. Eventually, I’ll be more ruthless about properly quitting this addiction.
I also didn’t drink any alcohol which was unremarkable as far as its impact on my life.
I went on a couple walks this month. I’m still not at my desired level of physical activity but I’m figuring out the structure that works for me. If you have tips for staying committed to home workouts and non-gym exercise, please pass them on.