This past week has been all about dedication, consistency, and a touch of mystery. With the ski season behind me and summer creeping in, I’ve shifted my focus to strengthening my body, staying disciplined with my routine, and… preparing for a trip I’m incredibly excited about. But more on that later 😉
The Plank Challenge 💪
I’ve decided to challenge myself with a simple but demanding daily exercise: the plank. I started with something manageable and every single day I’ve been adding 5 more seconds to my hold time. Today, I reached 1 minute and 40 seconds — and it felt great! 🥵
The plank is such a deceptively tough exercise. At first, it seems easy — you’re just staying still, right? But after a while, you feel every muscle in your body screaming, and it becomes as much a mental challenge as a physical one. I’m already noticing better core stability, and I’m sure this will pay off both in the gym and next winter on the slopes. My goal is to keep this streak going and see how far I can push it. The journey is just beginning.
Diet on Track 🥗
Another big win from the past couple of weeks is my nutrition. I’ve been eating clean, keeping things balanced, and being mindful of portions. And the results speak for themselves: I’ve lost 2 kilograms in just two weeks.
What’s been working for me is not following a strict diet, but instead finding balance. Plenty of fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and cutting out most processed foods. I’m also keeping my meals simple and nutritious. This way, I don’t feel like I’m missing out, but I’m still seeing progress. Losing a bit of weight makes everything feel lighter — physically and mentally.
Big News: I’m Going Somewhere Hot! ☀️
Here’s the exciting part: this Friday night I’ll be boarding a flight to a very warm destination. I won’t reveal the exact place yet — that’s for my Instagram followers to discover (follow me @riccardovaraldo if you’re curious 👀). But I’ll give you a little hint: it’s in Asia, it’s going to be very hot, and I can’t wait to explore.
The trip will last until the 16th, so I might not be able to post next week’s blog article. But I promise to make up for it with a full travel story once I’m back — with pictures, highlights, impressions, and maybe even a few surprises.
This will be my first real break after months of intense skiing, training, and working. It feels good to take time for myself, especially now that I’ve gotten into a healthier rhythm with my body. I’m curious to see how I’ll manage my routine while traveling, but I plan to stay active, eat well (as much as the local cuisine allows 😅), and soak up every second of the experience.
Staying Active, Staying Focused
Even though I’m heading off for an adventure, I’m not letting go of my goals. The plank challenge continues — I’ll find a few minutes every day, no matter where I am, to stick to my plan. And when I get back, I’ll jump straight into the next phase of training, with new energy and hopefully a nice tan 🌞
This journey — both physical and personal — is about discipline, passion, and finding balance. Whether I’m on the slopes, on a bike, in the gym, or discovering a new corner of the world, I want to live it all fully and consciously.
Stay tuned for the next article — it’ll be a hot one, in every sense of the word 🔥
