What my fitness watch couldn't tell me about my health

What my fitness watch couldn't tell me about my health Seven years ago, fitness became a central part of my life after moving to the United Arab Emirates. Within months, I developed what locals call the “Dubai Stone,” prompting a close friend to guide me through a fitness transformation. Soon after, I secured two gym memberships and a ClassPass subscription, exercising daily alongside my friend. To push further, I adopted intermittent fasting and began drinking apple cider vinegar before meals. These changes brought a renewed sense of strength and capability, far beyond just losing weight. For the first time in years, I felt empowered, something I hadn’t experienced since avoiding physical education in school due to embarrassment over my lack of coordination. A major spinal surgery in my early twenties had left me questioning my ability to move confidently, but this new fitness journey restored that sense of control. The global spread of the novel coronavirus disrupted this momentum. While I participated in online workouts, I also embraced a slower pace of life, reading extensively and reconnecting with my spiritual side. Practices such as sound bowl therapy and daily gratitude exercises became integral parts of my self-care. Over the following years, maintaining health and wellness became second nature, seamlessly integrated with my professional and personal obligations. Though there were periods where one area of focus dominated another, the balance generally held steady until recent months. The outbreak of hostilities between Iran and Israel threw my routine into disarray. Like many colleagues, I spent the initial weeks intensely focused on work, glued to my computer screen. Life eventually settled into a semblance of normalcy, but I chose to remain largely at home, prioritizing comfort and efficiency. This shift altered my daily habits, leading to a disruption in the rhythm I had previously maintained. Seeking a change, I decided to embark on a spontaneous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, persuading my mother and sister to join me after their planned UAE vacation was postponed. Having completed a similar journey the previous year, I realized I should have invested in a high-end fitness watch earlier, which I promptly acquired in preparation for this trip. During the trek from Sarria to the renowned Santiago de Compostela cathedral in Spain, I meticulously tracked every measurable aspect of my performance. Each day’s step count increased significantly as I walked for extended hours. Upon returning to England, I embarked on additional spontaneous travels throughout the country, aiming to reunite with family and friends. However, these journeys came with financial strain, exacerbated by rising airfares and expensive train tickets. When I finally returned to Dubai several months later, I was overwhelmed, not only by financial concerns but also by the sudden reversal in my fitness metrics, which had deteriorated despite the 115-kilometer pilgrimage. My return to Dubai coincided with a surge in academic responsibilities, including coursework for a holistic well-being program. Emails and voicemails piled up, yet my immediate concern was resuming my gym routine. Ignoring subtle signals from my body, I pushed forward with running and cycling sessions. About two weeks into this intensified schedule, I noticed an unusual discomfort in my back. Rather than addressing it, I continued with my usual activities, weekend plans, office work, evening engagements, and social arrangements. Eventually, my body intervened, forcing me to take a break from my demanding routine.