Salud
Exercise Less , Move More
BY ANGELICA GAVALDON
I
never thought I would become a tennis coach . For as long as I can remember , my whole life has revolved around long training hours , hitting thousands of balls , and missing out on weekends , holidays , important events , and important milestones like prom . I dreamt of retiring from the tour and never stepping on the court again . I could not wait for my normal life to begin .
Two years into retirement , I started Angelica Gavaldon working in television . I was a commentator for a national Spanish language sports show and an online columnist . I enjoyed it immensely . I was approached by many players that wanted me to coach them but at the time , I was not interested . It was then that I understood that it was my calling to give back to this sport that had given me so much . It became my passion to help players at different levels reach their goals .
I immediately began to focus on being a coach , which is completely different than being a player . Just as I did when I trained to compete , I dedicated myself to becoming the best coach possible . I studied , enrolled in courses , got certifications , consulted , and still to this day , I never stop learning .
As a former athlete , I am always trying to push myself to exercise less . While this might not be a challenge for most , for me it is something that I have to work at mentally . However , finding that perfect balance of not pushing my body to exhaustion every day , has been extremely beneficial to my overall energy levels and keeping my body healthy .
My usual routine consists of running two hours a day - one hour of interval sprinting , endurance training , and light jogging - while I read and answer all my work calls and emails . Then I push through 30 minutes of weights . Keep in mind that my training days as a professional tennis player were between 5 to 6 hours a day , every day , with one rest day per week .
At one point , I decided to become more mindful and present , and started connecting to my body . The days I did not feel like working out I did not , and I felt better . I realized that , after taking a day or even two off , I had better runs ; I was faster , and just more energized . I began moving more during the day and took longer walks with my son , Noah . I got a yoga mat and started stretching my body . I also invested in some yoga blocks that provided a higher surface to work out on , so I could become more flexible . I started to take more swims at the pool . Now , instead of laying in the sun while Noah swims , I jump in and swim for a longer time .
I was so used to a certain type of tiredness that I thought it was normal , I was missing out on how good my body could feel . So , for all of you trying to get into a routine or lay off a routine , try to connect to your body by doing some meditation . Deep breaths and just stay present in what your body is telling you . Our body is our temple , a blessing . Listen to it , embrace it , love it , and keep it healthy !
10 GBSAN . COM | JULY 2021