Through the course of this very zippy year, something strange has happened to me.

Much like when I was 9 or 10 years old, my brain has once again started reacting to the thrill of finding and using new words. Yes, like reading a new word and going, AH! and then, running to search the dictionary furtively googling the meaning. And then spending the next few days trying to use it.

So there I was, reveling in this renewed sense of discovery,  when BAM! it set off another peculiar trend in motion. While looking up the new words, I suddenly started suspecting whether I was absolutely sure of the words I already knew. Like 100% sure and not using them like a certain Mrs. Khan, if you know what I mean... Anyway, this suspicion was followed by the incident of a friend used the word "stoic" somewhat differently and it set me off on a googling frenzy!

Confession: I googled furtive and peculiar while I was typing this, just to be sure. Yes, it has officially become a behavioural tick. Much like Sheldon Cooper and his knocking.

SO! To put a positive spin on all this, um, weirdness,  I have decided that here onwards, all my new word mining shall be enlisted here with a citation of how I came across it AND how I first used it! This is so PG13! Except its PG28. Anyway!

The first entry, ladies and gentlemen...*drumrolls* is

Pejorative

Phew!

So, what's going on with you?

WHITE SAND DUNES AT HUNDER

PANGONG TSO

This experience also made me realise that a large part of who we think we are, are basically hypothetical. The role of travel is to discover the real you. I'm sure you've read this before but I actually felt it, which was a pretty cool.

• There is no cell reception for the most part. Let friends and family know this so they don't worry themselves silly. At Jispa, friend of mine had to hitch a bike ride and travel 40 mins before finding a functional phone to call her parents
• There, however is free WiFi almost everywhere in Leh city. Go figure.
• The roads are tough. In some stretches they are really, really bad. Its good to be mindful about this. Car sickness medicines, water, puke bags and oddly, camphor help. 
• Food is very basic. Especially when you are travelling from point A to B. Leh however offers multi cuisine choices. 
• You are not allowed cabin baggage on flights out of Leh. We managed to get our cameras though. Pack accordingly.

• Well, there is a lack of oxygen and there is no denying it. The physical ailment comes with the high altitude and its not a challenge to anyone's age or fitness levels. So its best to not get all bullheaded and be prepared. I, with no qualms went to my GP before the trip and got my BP, pulse, oxygen all checked. I discussed the few concerns I had in mind and he prescribed drugs to fight the oxygen issue and something for nausea (from road or height sickness). I didn't need the nausea pill at all and I took the oxygen pill from Day 1 to 9 as prescribed with zero side effects. Frankly, I would not do it any other way, if it means I am able to enjoy the place in good health and not be a burden on my fellows

• Lack of sleep and appetite are normal altitude change symptoms. I never got sound night's sleep but I felt rested by morning, so it made no difference.

• Medical help in Ladakh is administered by the army and they are very used to dealing with tourists. I have never been so proud of our army folks.

• No one said this anywhere, but the place is dusty! I mean, really really DUSTY! If you have allergies, you better brace yourself

• Its a little difficult to gauge yourself, but Ladakh is supremely dehydrating. Drinking water is a must. I was told by three different shopkeepers on different days to shut up and drink water first. Seriously! A no-water drinker like me gulped down upto 6 litres a day! It is also a good idea to supplement with a litre of ORS if you are walking around a lot. Hydration never killed anyone. Or I hope not!

• This one may be silly, but I figured taking smaller steps helped me not wheeze and gasp like an oldie. It was tad embarrassing to be all panting and fretting after an uphill stretch but that's the price you pay for leading a sedentary life :(

• Pangong being higher than Leh is susceptible to give breathing discomfort. On the way down from Pangong is when the AMS hits most people. Don't worry. Just travel to the army camp at ChangLa. They are well equipped to deal with medical emergencies.

• I am yet to find out the science behind it (and belive me, I'm trying) but smelling camphor really helped with the nausea. I had it with me at Khardungla and I sailed through with no sick feeling.

If you are feeling life blues, listen to his first album...Waiting for My Rocket to Come

50ML for 425/-

 610/- for 100gms

550/- for 100ml

If you have any other recommendation or word of advice for me, I am all ears. Help me!

P:S Shouldn't SOS become SMS in the case of an individual? 

I have been planning my first holiday to the mountains and I leave in 9 days. NINE! Just how beautiful are these photos? Imagine witnessing all this beauty in person. Ah, be still my heart.

Playing a sport is one of the most fun ways to keep fit. Apart from the exercise factor, you also get to add a new skill or retain an old skill. Either way, cardio + endorphin release + plus an ego boost from winning is a damn good combination in my books.

To contextualise, all this babble is stemming from my recent Saturday morning Squash games. I am enjoying these weekly two hours in court like I didn’t know I would. But the tragedy hits on Sunday morning. Aches and pains and cramps dampen the thrill of play.

The lack of any kind of activity over the week is bad enough. But by adopting these simple pre & post workout rituals, I am trying to make the best of these two hours while avoiding any kind of injury. I mean that would just be shameful to get hurt while trying to get fit.

My pre-game rituals include hydration, fueling & warm-up. While I spoke about the first two in fair detail, today I want to elaborate on warming up before a game.

To reiterate:  Warm up is not optional. It is a MUST-DO for a safe and effective workout

The purpose of warming up is to prevent injuries by increasing blood flow and dynamically stretching targeted muscle groups and joints and preparing them for the impending vigorous activity.

What constitutes warm-up is low intensity exercises and stretches that will pump up the cardiovascular system which in turn increases blood flow to the cold muscles and prepares it for vigorous activity.

The intention should be to warm the muscle groups that will be used during the workout. It might seem obvious but I have seen a lot of people don't really customize the sets as per workout, hence I figured I'd emphasize on this.

During my research I found this article very specific and helpful and here I am tabulating the set I have adopted > 

CROSS OVER RUNNING 

LUNGE TWISTS

I have double, triple checked this FAQ and turns out you stretch after the warm up. Sadly, I have been misguided by trainers in the past so its good to know this. Here is a handy, full body stretch chart

The most important question this article answered for me was the optimal duration of warm up.

It has been explained that 10 minutes is the minimum time required to achieve the aforementioned results without tiring the body and leaving it energized and focussed for the game ahead.

  

It is ideal to follow up this warmup with a few minutes of ghosting. This not only helps embed the correct movement in the brain but also to tune in and focus the mind for play. I mean all enthusiasm aside, it’s still 9am on a Saturday and my brain is probably cursing me...

So this what I will be doing tomorrow morning before my game. Along with these. 

Do you have a word of advice?

Stretch images from here

Warm Up images from here, here, here, here, here