WEEK 6: APRIL 8 β APRIL 14
Week 6 was probably one of the most physically challenging weeks so far. Compared to the earlier weeks, I noticed that the yoga sessions were becoming more advanced and physically demanding. Some of the poses required more balance, flexibility, and strength, which made the sessions feel more intense than before. Looking back at the photos from this week, I can clearly see that the routines were becoming more complicated compared to the simpler stretches I started with during the first few weeks.
This week, my goal was to complete:
5 yoga sessions
10,000 steps at least 3 times
I successfully completed all 5 yoga sessions this week. However, for the first time since starting the project, I was unable to fully complete my 10,000-step goal 3 times.
My step counts this week were:
Friday, April 10 β 10,528 steps
Monday, April 13 β 9,291 steps
Tuesday, April 14 β 13,553 steps
Even though I did not fully reach 10,000 steps on April 13, I still decided to include it because I was very close to the target. To compensate for this, I pushed myself more the following day and exceeded my step goal by a large amount on April 14.
At first, I felt disappointed because this was the first week where I technically did not complete every goal exactly as planned. Earlier in the project, I became used to seeing complete check marks each week, so missing the target felt frustrating. However, I also realized that progress is not always perfectly consistent. There will naturally be weeks where energy levels, schedules, or physical exhaustion affect performance.
I think one reason this week felt harder was because the yoga sessions themselves were already demanding more energy from me. Since the routines were becoming more advanced, I noticed that I felt more physically tired afterward compared to previous weeks. Some poses required more concentration and muscle control, which made the workouts feel longer and more exhausting overall. Still, I do not think this should become an excuse for inconsistency. Instead, I think it simply showed me that increasing difficulty also requires better recovery, time management, and discipline.
One thing I appreciated this week is that I did not completely give up after missing one target. Earlier in my life, failing one part of a routine often made me lose motivation for the rest of the week. This time, instead of stopping, I adjusted and continued pushing myself the next day. I think this shows a healthier mindset toward behavior change because I am learning to recover from setbacks instead of viewing them as total failure.
I also noticed that my physical endurance has improved since the beginning of the project. Even though the poses became more difficult, I was still able to complete every yoga session for the week. Earlier in the project, some of these poses would have probably felt impossible or extremely uncomfortable. Now, while they are still difficult, I can feel gradual improvement in balance, flexibility, and control.
This week also connects to the concept of progressive overload in physical activity, where exercises gradually become more challenging in order to improve strength, endurance, and flexibility over time. According to the Cleveland Clinic (2025), progressive overload helps the body adapt by gradually increasing physical demands during exercise. Looking back on this week, I think the increased difficulty of the yoga sessions showed that my body was slowly adjusting and becoming capable of more advanced movements.
Even though Week 6 was not βperfect,β I think it taught me an important lesson about flexibility and self-compassion. Missing one target does not erase the progress made over the past several weeks. What matters more is the ability to continue despite setbacks and remain committed to the larger goal.
Overall, I would describe Week 6 as challenging but motivating. This week reminded me that growth often becomes uncomfortable before it becomes visible, and consistency matters most when routines become difficult.
Summary of the Week
What I Need to Improve On
Managing my energy better during physically demanding weeks
Increasing my daily movement even on tiring days
Avoiding disappointment when I narrowly miss targets
What I Need to Maintain
Completing my yoga sessions consistently
Continuing to challenge myself with more difficult poses
Recovering quickly after setbacks instead of giving up
What I Need to Get Rid Of
The mindset that progress must always be perfect
Feeling discouraged after one missed target
Underestimating the importance of recovery and pacing
Recommendations for the Following Weeks
For the following weeks, I want to continue improving my consistency while also learning how to handle more physically demanding routines. I also want to focus on balancing challenge and recovery better so I can maintain both my yoga and step goals more effectively. Most importantly, I want to continue developing the mindset that setbacks are part of progress and not reasons to stop completely.
