The past three months have been discouraging. I injured my shoulder doing housework at home, of all things, and then my back when I showed up late for a workout and jumped in at full bore without warming up or stretching.
On top of all that, I have a medical issue that calls for daily medication. Three months ago, I took a break from the daily drugs, and slowly the problem those meds took care of began to return. One of the issues causes severe joint pain, muscle stiffness, general misery, and discomfort. I sucked it up and continued to train, but as time went on, I became more and more limited in what I could do and the intensity at which I could train. Ten days ago, I got back on my meds and I am starting to feel normal again.
I learned two things during that 3-month break. If I don’t eat an anti-inflammatory diet and drink plenty of water, the negative impact on my body is remarkable. The second lesson was that no matter how uncomfortable it was to work out, when I did, my body felt much better than when I didn’t exercise at all.
Dealing with the daily pain was a real blessing for a couple of reasons. It certainly changed my perspective on discomfort. My threshold is much higher now, so I am pushing myself during workouts far beyond what I did before I took a break from the meds.
Second takeaway: There is nothing like losing something to make you appreciate it more, and losing the ability to train to my potential made me very grateful for the privilege. I don’t moan and complain about “having to train” anymore. I am thrilled and treat it like the gift and blessing from God that it is.
With the pain mostly gone I can train as hard as I want, for as long as I want. Last week was a testament to that.
Monday
Morning – Biceps, triceps, 30 seconds on 30 seconds off, 2 exercises each of five sets
Evening – High Intensity boxing and Muay Thai Kicks: 2-minute rounds x 6
Tuesday
Morning – Muay Thai kicks and knees – 2 minute rounds x 8
Afternoon – Pullups, pushups, air squats – 50 each
Afternoon – Bent barbell row, cable row, assisted pullups – 30 seconds on, 30 off x 5 each
Evening – 5-position high-intensity circuit – 60 seconds on and 30 seconds off x 2
Afternoon: Leg curls, weighted hip thrust, Leg press, hyperextensions: 30 seconds on 30 off x 5 each
Evening: Shoulder side laterals, rubber band high rows, standing front press 30 seconds on 30 off x 5
Evening: dumbbell bench, narrow pushups, dumbbell pullovers – 30 on 30 off x 5 each
Sunday – Rest, church and family time
My conditioning is allowing me the energy to go at this pace.
Eating the right foods (anti-inflammatory) and amounts has resulted in more efficient digestion so I am recovering well.
With the pain all but gone, I can sleep at night again so I am ready to rock bright and early every morning.
We are preparing meals ahead of time now so there is no missing meals or eating the wrong foods when the day gets busy.
Yes, it requires planning, organization, and discipline, but I feel incredible. I have energy to burn, I am more productive at work, and have more time and energy for my family so whatever it takes to make that happen is well worth it.
