Do You Huff & Puff or Inhale Three, Exhale Ten?
Song Of The Week
This week, we’re diving into the captivating melodies of Brent De La Cruz and his latest jam, “Save Your Breath.” It’s the kind of track that sneaks up on you like a cat in socks, whiskering its way into your psyche and refusing to let go.
From the first few chords, you know you’re in for an emotional rollercoaster. The sound is both slick and gritty, combining a dreamy synth backdrop with heartfelt lyrics that are as sharp as a cactus in a balloon factory. Brent’s voice dances like confetti in a tornado, effortlessly weaving through themes of love, regret, and the complexities of human connection.
“Save Your Breath” explores the idea of communication in relationships—or the lack thereof. It’s a beautifully chaotic reminder that sometimes, silence speaks louder than words. You can almost visualize the moments of hesitation, the unspoken feelings hovering between lovers like ghosts looking for closure.
The chorus hits harder than a surprise hailstorm on a sunny day, leaving you humming along even after the song has ended. It has that infectious quality that makes it perfect for belting out in the shower or on a particularly thrilling car ride—windows down, wind in your hair, and maybe even a few wayward notes escaping your lips.
Breathe In
Welcome, welcome to The Unfinished Times where we talk, and talk, and talk, and talk some more. To my seasoned readers, I am grateful to have you here and to the newbies in town, I am sending massive amounts of happiness your way. Today, I want to continue our discussion about fitness that I think doesn’t get enough light but holds immense power- the art of breathing. I must confess, I was quite clueless about breathing properly. Breathing is not just for staying alive; it’s a powerhouse in the realm of fitness.
Change of Pace
Now, we all have the dream of chasing after that coveted “fat dump truck” or the dream of a chiseled back or arms. And while these goals aren’t inherently wrong, my perspective underwent profound transformation. Instead of aspiring to be a certain image, my sole focus shifted to enhancing my athleticism. But why?
Quick interlude- I never was an athlete, but two things kept me going to the gym every day. One, I still want that dump truck and two, wanting to be able to jump, dash, run, walk etc. when I’m 80 years old. I know that aging is inevitable but just witnessing other family members not being about to move at 60 years old like they did when they were my age, is a scary concept. And watching the new generation having so much energy and ability with their fresh limbs is eye opening. Somewhere down the line I must’ve forgotten how amazing the human body can be, if you treat it right.
My training schedule allows me to focus on my lower body thrice times a week and upper body twice a week. It took about three years for me to comfortably say I achieved my goals in having the ‘dream body’. Yet, a crucial question lingered- what is one to do after achieving physical strength? The answer, I realized, lies not in the pounds lifted but, in the agility to command and employ my muscles. Soon it was time to change my pace.
Put Your Heart & Lungs Into it
On my journey of becoming athletic, it didn’t mean I would change my routine rather, it’s became a mindful journey, a pursuit of unlocking true potential of my body. Since I never took breathing seriously, because I do it every day, all day, 24/7- the question remained how could I not know how to breathe? Brace yourselves for the embarrassing revelation I indeed didn’t know how because… I manage to become a mouth breather. For example, when I lift heavy weights, and I use all my energy, I tend to gasp for air through my mouth after my sets. Even in my daily life, I notice this bad habit especially when I sleep my mouth would slightly be agape -not the most glamorous sight.
To add fuel to the fire, mouth breathing reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the body, resulting in negatively affecting the oxygen getting to my tissue due to my irregular breathing that then, reduced my exercise performance. So, all my huffing wasn’t doing me any good. But fear not, my dear readers, for thanks to these three game-changing tips that turned my workouts and daily life into a breath of fresh air:
Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, Exhale for ten seconds – Using this breathing technique helps with letting all the air out. One thing I would not do properly is allow the air to fully escape my lungs. This is problematic because that leads to feeling like I can’t breathe because of the stored air. This cycle can be stopped with this breathing technique. If you also suffer from huffing and puffing, focus your mind on counting on the inhale and exhale. Pro tip: if you have a hard time falling asleep at night, forget counting sheep, count your breaths for it helps calm the mind for a serene slumber.
20 Minute Sled Interval Workouts – Cardio workouts are not my cup of tea yet, I will vouch for these because of the significant changes it had for me. I hate the thought of doing these, but I can’t lie, I love the results. It took longer to get my heart race up and quickly return back to normal beat.
Synchronize your lifting with your breaths- A good example of this practice is deadlifting. Getting into position, you take a breath, lift up, hold, extend, and exhale it all out. Speaking for myself, I notice how much more I can lift when I use my full breath to its fullest potential. Practicing aligning your movements with your breath to engage your muscles will optimize your strength.
Soon enough when I focused on breathing seriously, there were drastic changes I noticed. I had better sleep, I was more energetic, I could keep my heart rate low – the perks are endless. Of course, this is not solely breathing techniques that give me these results; it is the state of mind that allowed for these changes to be possible. So, take a deep breath, my friends and practice mindfulness.
Breathe Out
I could’ve gone the easy route with this week’ song choice but I decided against it and rather showcase a song you probably haven’t heard of; Save your breath by Brent De La Cruz. A cool coincidence the artist is also from San Diego, so shoutout my hometown! What I love about this song is that it speaks volumes about conserving your breath with other people who just won’t get it. I think we all know someone like this, and it is mentally draining to have to continuously say something. Here the artist just highlights that you don’t have to say anything, but that person better be ready for their own consequences. And I think it fits perfectly for this week because breathing is more important than even, I thought. Conserve and use your breath to its’ fullest potential, don’t waste it.
Enjoy This Journey With Me
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
Enjoy This Journey With Me ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
This isn’t the end—just a bookmark in the conversation. Stories don’t really close; they unfold, shift, and find new voices. If this one stirred something in you, let it breathe. Leave a thought, challenge an idea, or carry it forward in your own way. And if you ever feel like wandering through more unfinished thoughts, you know where to find me. Let’s keep the conversation alive.~XOXO
