I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[Homburg]

Cycle 5, Wave B
Overhead day

60x5
75x3
90x3 Warm-ups done
105x3
120x3
135x6 Rep calc says 162#

I felt kinda weak right up until the end, probably because we haven't been as assiduous on overheads lately. Still, I put out a solid effort, as did LB.

Speaking of LB, he might be getting a job overseas. Not really how what I'm going to do when that happens. It's dead tough to find someone that I can lift with, and that has a similar enough schedule to myself. Not happy about this.

 

[Seurat]

Dropped a couple of pounds over the last few days. Idiots found my number, and got me on speed dial.

 

[ultramarineblue]

I was going along very well with workouts, increasing the intensity and making good habits. However, I started taking a new medication which severely knocked me on my ass. I'm just now starting to get used to it and was able to complete the first good workout in just over a week.

 

[Netzach]

So is the shingles over yet or what?

Faint bruising at last, I can play. It's kind of like having light bruising all along the right side ribs, I'll be happy when it's truly gone, but it's done enough that I can play again.

And play again I did, bars class number 2. I am much LESS sore than last time around, which I predicted.

Pilates mat tomorrow at 10 am.

 

[Netzach]

Last week I did cardio for the first time since the back thing (so let's say a year) and came home and had a fever for the next two or three days. I felt shitty but nothing else...my doctor told me it was probably a virus, my PT was worried I might have overextended myself. So today I did the cardio again and I seem okay now, so hopefully it was just a virus!
Also next week I'm actually going back to the machines for an hour a week, so I'm making progress. I explained how I don't like doing the same things all the time so she's going to mix it up for me. But the other half hour will be the same old same old.

This isn't actually that unusual - do you usually sick out a bit from stress? Your body sometimes comes up with little shitty colds and things as you do good things for it, and it probably won't keep happening.

 

[Seurat]

14.33 miles this morning, in just over an hour. The sweat machine is turned off, depsite 80 degree temp and humidity in the 60s.

 

[Keroin]

Faint bruising at last, I can play. It's kind of like having light bruising all along the right side ribs, I'll be happy when it's truly gone, but it's done enough that I can play again.

And play again I did, bars class number 2. I am much LESS sore than last time around, which I predicted.

Pilates mat tomorrow at 10 am.

Excellent. Good to hear!


Today I'm back on with running. Doubtless it will be more like jogging, or fast walking, but it will feel good to get out there again. Temps are sky high but I actually prefer to train in high heat.

I managed to slip in a tennis game last week and played surprisingly well considering my five day, drug-induced stupor.

 

[brioche]

This isn't actually that unusual - do you usually sick out a bit from stress? Your body sometimes comes up with little shitty colds and things as you do good things for it, and it probably won't keep happening.

Yeah, you're right - stress can do a number on me, though 90% of the time I ignore it. There's a picture from picture day from a few years ago where we were marvelling at how well the pic turned out since I had a 102 degree fever at the time - I don't remember what I was sick with (probably strep). It's still happening, but less and less each time. Last time I just took a cool shower and it was gone when I came out, and stayed gone.

I have an MRI today for my back, but I don't expect it to show anything substantive. The pain doctor I saw was grabbing a whole bunch of points all over my body (neck, knees, elbows, back, hips etc.) and they all hurt. Then he said that my whole body was inflamed and basically amplifying the pain from my back. Sort of the opposite of fibromyalgia I suppose.

 

[Cattypuss]

I lost two pounds this week.

So I've lost exactly three stone (42lb) since I started this (in November 2009) and I have precisely two stone (28lb) still to lose to get to goal.

I'm 60% of the way there!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!! That's WELL over the hump, so to speak.

 

[rosco rathbone]

nine sets of pushups

my arms feel like steel cables

 

[Homburg]

Cycle 5, Wave C
Squat day

170x5
215x5
255x3 Warm-ups done
320x5
365x3
405x3 Rep calc says 456# or somesuch

Not my best effort. My heart wasn't in it.

LB is getting the job he was hoping for, and that means he's going to be leaving the country for around 6 months.

Fuck. I hate lifting solo.

It's more than that though. He got the call while we were getting ready, and was really jazzed. I should've been jazzed as well, because, fuck, it's a good job. But it was a good job I'd applied for as well. Tough to get excited about my buddy getting the hot job when the same call confirmed that I wasn't getting the position I applied for (different position for the same company, so he and I weren't competing, but the info in the call confirmed that I wasn't chosen). So I didn't get the job, and I feel bad because I'm not properly happy for him.

And the house is empty, and will be for the rest of the week, because everybody is out of the state but me.

Fuck.

 

[Keroin]

Cycle 5, Wave C
Squat day

170x5
215x5
255x3 Warm-ups done
320x5
365x3
405x3 Rep calc says 456# or somesuch

Not my best effort. My heart wasn't in it.

LB is getting the job he was hoping for, and that means he's going to be leaving the country for around 6 months.

Fuck. I hate lifting solo.

It's more than that though. He got the call while we were getting ready, and was really jazzed. I should've been jazzed as well, because, fuck, it's a good job. But it was a good job I'd applied for as well. Tough to get excited about my buddy getting the hot job when the same call confirmed that I wasn't getting the position I applied for (different position for the same company, so he and I weren't competing, but the info in the call confirmed that I wasn't chosen). So I didn't get the job, and I feel bad because I'm not properly happy for him.

And the house is empty, and will be for the rest of the week, because everybody is out of the state but me.

Fuck.

Bummer. Sorry to hear about the job, H. I know all too well how that feels - we lost a HUGE contract to someone else recently. We even had a verbal agreement. That job could have meant a big life change (for the better) for us. Poo.

Of course, it's going to suck harder when your friend gets the job and now you not only can't vent to him but you have to dig deep and try to be happy for him as well. Fuck indeed.

I had to smile at your reaction to your empty house...sorry...it's just so different from what mine would be. I love L but I also love those times when he takes off somewhere and I get the casa all to my lonesome.

But yeah, sorry.

Maybe a long bike ride would help?

 

[Homburg]

Bummer. Sorry to hear about the job, H. I know all too well how that feels - we lost a HUGE contract to someone else recently. We even had a verbal agreement. That job could have meant a big life change (for the better) for us. Poo.

Of course, it's going to suck harder when your friend gets the job and now you not only can't vent to him but you have to dig deep and try to be happy for him as well. Fuck indeed.

He asked me what was wrong a coupla times. I did the usual and just pushed the lift. He was wrapped in his own pseudo anxiety attack to not pay too much attention.

Sorry about the contract.

I had to smile at your reaction to your empty house...sorry...it's just so different from what mine would be. I love L but I also love those times when he takes off somewhere and I get the casa all to my lonesome.

But yeah, sorry.

Maybe a long bike ride would help?

House to myself is fine. During the school year, I get it a lot. And I am often up later than everybody else, so I get that same feeling then as well. I just know how I deal with things like this. Distractions help.

A ride might help. It is north of 100F today though, and I do have work to do. That last part is a positive. Work hasn't been killing me lately, but I have been getting more.

 

[Keroin]

Sorry about the contract.

Thanks. Yes, that was a sad day in the K household but, you know, we are nothing if not flexible and resilient...and ridiculously optimistic.

House to myself is fine. During the school year, I get it a lot. And I am often up later than everybody else, so I get that same feeling then as well. I just know how I deal with things like this. Distractions help.

A ride might help. It is north of 100F today though, and I do have work to do. That last part is a positive. Work hasn't been killing me lately, but I have been getting more.

Our local economy is slower than usual so I can only imagine what things are like to the south.

Gotcha on the distractions. My longest runs often coincide with general life unpleasantness. I have to say, those are the moments when I am so grateful to have physical activities that I enjoy and that I can use to channel anger/fear/worry/sadness/etc. Sometimes just driving my body to exhaustion is enough to get me through the bad stuff. This year has been tough because of the chain of health stuff that has kept me from pushing myself as hard as I like to. I still fit into all my clothes but I don't really care. Size means little to me. I don't feel strong and that bites.

Go riding. Ride HARD! (And drink lots of water.)

 

[Homburg]

Gotcha on the distractions. My longest runs often coincide with general life unpleasantness. I have to say, those are the moments when I am so grateful to have physical activities that I enjoy and that I can use to channel anger/fear/worry/sadness/etc. Sometimes just driving my body to exhaustion is enough to get me through the bad stuff. This year has been tough because of the chain of health stuff that has kept me from pushing myself as hard as I like to. I still fit into all my clothes but I don't really care. Size means little to me. I don't feel strong and that bites.

Go riding. Ride HARD! (And drink lots of water.)

Well, my usual method of movement is lifting. Lifting sucks right now though, as focus is all but impossible. I'm all over the goddamned place. Riding might be better. Then again, the last time I did a serious ride when I was this scattered I came home with at least one fracture and minus a good bit of skin.

And I hate it, hate it, HATE IT when I don't feel strong. Nothing whatsoever is worse. While my lift was meh on the reps, 405# didn't feel all that heavy. I just couldn't summon the mental oomph to really rep out. The weight itself was surprisingly manageable. That is the one major positive about today's session. I had the legs for 5-6 reps today, easy. Just not the drive.

 

[Seurat]

Supposed to have somebody to ride with yesterday, and he wussed out at the last minute and left me hanging. Now he wants to try again on Thursday. I told him I wanted to push, maybe fifteen or twenty miles at a sustained speed of fifteen/hour (since he wants minimal hills).

His reply was that he could do five, maybe ten. I don't know if he is just going to wuss out again, or if he will actually show up. I don't like riding in the afternoon; too many cars. But I'm doing it special because of him.


Grrrr.

 

[brioche]

I've been having problems with sleeping. Sleeping during the day and then staying awake at night. Hell to correct and hell on the diet too.

 

[ultramarineblue]

Good workout this afternoon and walk this morning. I lost some of the strength I had built before I started the new meds but I'm getting back to it.

 

[brioche]

Had the MRI and there is only minor spondylitis and some protrusion of some discs and minimal tethering af the spinal cord.

I have no idea what that collectively means, but my doctor says it means the problem is muscular.

And surgery wouldn't help, despite the fact that I have never even brought up the prospect of surgery. I'm already having my gallbladder taken out, that's enough. No one needs to meddle with my spinal cord.

Sigh.

 

[Homburg]

Had the MRI and there is only minor spondylitis and some protrusion of some discs and minimal tethering af the spinal cord.

I have no idea what that collectively means, but my doctor says it means the problem is muscular.

And surgery wouldn't help, despite the fact that I have never even brought up the prospect of surgery. I'm already having my gallbladder taken out, that's enough. No one needs to meddle with my spinal cord.

Sigh.

Sigh? Uh, why the sigh? Muscle-based back issues are vastly easier to deal with, at least in my experience. Muscle is easy tissue. It has a great blood supply, and thus heals quickly, and it is much easier to convince muscle to get better than bone, connective tissue, or, god forbid, discs.

 

[brioche]

Sigh? Uh, why the sigh? Muscle-based back issues are vastly easier to deal with, at least in my experience. Muscle is easy tissue. It has a great blood supply, and thus heals quickly, and it is much easier to convince muscle to get better than bone, connective tissue, or, god forbid, discs.

Because it's not healing quickly. Next month it'll be a year. No one knows exactly what's wrong with it. I've been given muscle relaxants for it, which makes me all wonky and messes with my sleep patterns.

 

[DVS]

Because it's not healing quickly. Next month it'll be a year. No one knows exactly what's wrong with it. I've been given muscle relaxants for it, which makes me all wonky and messes with my sleep patterns.

So is it pain that doesn't allow you to sleep, or are the pills what's changing your sleep habits?

If your back hurts, and it's chronic, it might be something you do in your every day life. This is just a thought, but I had a job where I built up one side of my torso and back muscles to be stronger than the other. Well, not enough to be noticeable, but because I did repeated actions over and over, I would pull my spine out of alignment which caused tingly areas, sometimes a burning sensation and sometimes even numbness all in the shoulder blade area of my back.

I went to a chiropractor for a while, and it was always the same thing. He'd fix the situation, but it would always come back. Until I quit that line of work, the situation never got resolved for good.

 

[Homburg]

Muscle issues are caused by a variety of things, and pretty much all of them are fixable. The problem is that the cause is rarely obvious. MIS, for example, has a persistent frozen shoulder problem. It boggled me. I worked and worked on it, and figured out how to zap the pain and free the shoulder (by working out the right triggerpoints with pressure), but I'm not learned enough in the field to figure out how to fix it.

I figured it was postural, and it turned out I was correct. She went to a reeeealy PT, and he diagnosed a NECK issue that she was unaware of. How she held her neck has caused weaknesses in some areas and were over-working others. The imbalance resulted in horrible shoulder problems.

It is quite possible that you have something similar going on. There is some muscle that is not doing its' job properly, and others are getting over-worked, or chronic bad posture in some subtle way is exacerbating things. If you are outta shape, that makes it worse, as does carrying extra weight. Yes, I differentiate between the two. It is entirely possible to be skinny and horribly out of shape, and it is likewise possible to carry extra weight and be in okay shape.

I would start with posture, and maybe getting your feet looked at. Posture is never a bad idea for anyone. Seriously., Good posture will whack a lot of ills. And feet problems are a VERY common cause for back problems. I know many people that had ugly back pain and saw rapid improvement with changes in footwear, custom orthotics, etc.

In short, don't concentrate on your back. Look at your whole body. The big picture is often a clue to what is generating low-back problems.

 

[Homburg]

Cycle 5, Wave C
Bench Day

95x5
120x5
145x3 Warm-ups done
180x5
205x3
230x5 Rep calc says 268#

Not a bad lift, but it was a tough one. I felt like I had about 60% of another rep in me. Those are tough because I know I can't get another one, but I also know I have more. It;s a little frustrating. But ya gotta know your limits, and today's limit was 5.

As usual, other stuff happened, but this is the important part.

 

[meattyhead]

Ahem, fitness dom right here.

Working mainly on shoulders at the moment.

Just to throw it out in case someone knows. Is it true that leg workouts increase testosterone levels, which in tern result in more upper body bulk?

Always trying to gain a few pounds.

hmm, interesting questions.
But, I would say doing deadlifts/squats will give you more strength, and it will improve your upper body