You know that meme where your yoga mat looks innocent at 6 AM but transforms into a torture device by 6:02 AM? That’s exactly how I felt when Sanjay Yadav’s quote about planking and time perception popped up on my Instagram feed. “If you ever feel time’s moving too fast,” it said, “try holding a plank. You’ll realize it’s not moving at all.”
As someone who regularly hikes mountains but can’t touch my toes, I decided to test this theory with teeth-gritting determination. Here’s what happened when I traded trail dust for sweat puddles during my 31-day plank challenge.
My Mountain-to-Mat Fitness Journey
At 35, my fitness routine could be described as “enthusiastically inconsistent.” I’d rather climb a 2,000-foot elevation than count calories, and my idea of meal prep involves packing trail mix in reusable bags. Yet there’s magic in 30-day challenges – those bite-sized commitments that helped me:
- Drink 1 gallon water daily (even during 10-mile hikes)
- Eliminate added sugar (RIP, my beloved maple syrup)
- Develop an olive oil sipping habit (don’t knock it till you try it)
When the plank meme struck, I knew my next challenge. Not for six-pack abs (my core resembles more of a “soft-shell cooler”), but to answer three burning questions:
- Can a desk-bound office worker/hiker hybrid actually master this?
- Will time really slow down?
- How many household objects can I mentally curse during 120 seconds?
Why Planks Became My Nemesis (and Eventually My Friend)
The plank isn’t just an exercise – it’s a full-body lie detector test. Here’s what science says (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research) versus what my trembling muscles reported:
| Science Says | My Reality |
|---|---|
| Engages 20+ core muscles | Felt 200+ muscles protesting |
| Improves posture | Improved swearing vocabulary |
| Boosts metabolism | Boosted respect for yoga mats |
Week 1 went like this:
🕒 Day 1-7: “I’ll just count Mississippis!” → Lost count at “Miththiththippi”
🔥 Muscle Memory: Activated forgotten abdominals (turns out I have some!)
⏳ Time Perception: 30 seconds felt like reciting the entire “Game of Thrones” plot
The 4-Phase Planking Metamorphosis
Phase 1: The Humbling (Days 1-7)
My mountain-trained legs shook like aspen leaves. Pro tip: Planking on hardwood floors makes you appreciate carpets (and life choices).
Phase 2: The Breakthrough (Days 8-14)
Discovered the “Rocky Balboa Breathing Technique” – inhale through nose, exhale curses through mouth.
Phase 3: The Flow State (Days 15-21)
Time warping began! 90 seconds started feeling like… 85 seconds. Progress!
Phase 4: The Mind Meld (Days 22-31)
Achieved “Plank Zen” – could mentally replay entire episodes of “The Office” while holding position.
5 Unexpected Life Lessons From Face-Planting Daily
- Time expands when you focus (not just during planks – try it during meetings!)
- Shaking muscles mean growing muscles (in fitness and life)
- Consistency > Perfection (my “plank caterpillar” form still counts)
- Mindset alters reality (turns out Sanjay was right about time perception)
- Floor temperatures matter (lesson learned at 5 AM)
Your Turn: Building a Better Plank (Without Hating Life)
For fellow time-crunched nature lovers, here’s my “Trail-to-Plank” transition guide:
- Start Vertical
Lean against a tree (or fridge) at 45° angle
Why it works: Mimics hiking uphill posture - Ground Your Senses
Place hands on textured mat or outdoor surface
Pro Tip: Visualize mountain vistas instead of clock faces - The 10% Rule
Add 6 seconds daily (easier than counting Mississippis!) - Celebrate “Wins”
Made it through a commercial break? That’s 30 seconds!
The Real Reward Wasn’t My Core
On Day 31, as I held my final plank watching sunrise through sweat-blurred vision, something shifted. Not just in my abdominal muscles (though those finally stopped staging mutinies), but in how I experience time itself.
Turns out the secret isn’t about stopping clocks, but becoming present enough to notice their ticking. Now when I hike, I catch myself pausing to plank on scenic overlooks – not for fitness, but to savor moments that used to rush by like autumn creek water.
Your Challenge: What 2-minute daily practice could reshape your relationship with time? (Spoiler: The answer might be closer to the ground than you think.)
