Am I Crazy???

Training Over 35 Lifter
381

Dr. PC,

I read the first page of this thread and nothing else until this current page, so I apologize if this was covered before.

If you can’t squat without blocks under your heels, you may want to take a look at Dan John’s “goblet squat” video. It can be found on Google Video by searching for “Dan John squat”. That video, and a post by a member here entitled “3rd world squat” - subsequently follwed by a feature article this week - transformed my body from a stiff board to something that actually kind of works these days. My biggest problems were the same as yours - unable to squat deep, painful lower back.

Having practiced the 3rd world squat and goblet squats, I’ve ditched powerlifting altogether, along with the power versions of the Oly lifts, and have started working on full clean and press, and full snatch. Why? Because I can! And I was never able to before.

I’m working with girlie weights right now as I learn the motor patterns (occasionally a power clean sneaks in a full clean session… I just squat anyway!), but I feel WAY more healthy and injury-proof than before.

Something to think about for you.

Dave

382

[quote]HOV wrote:
Dr. PC,

I read the first page of this thread and nothing else until this current page, so I apologize if this was covered before.

If you can’t squat without blocks under your heels, you may want to take a look at Dan John’s “goblet squat” video. It can be found on Google Video by searching for “Dan John squat”. That video, and a post by a member here entitled “3rd world squat” - subsequently follwed by a feature article this week - transformed my body from a stiff board to something that actually kind of works these days. My biggest problems were the same as yours - unable to squat deep, painful lower back.

Having practiced the 3rd world squat and goblet squats, I’ve ditched powerlifting altogether, along with the power versions of the Oly lifts, and have started working on full clean and press, and full snatch. Why? Because I can! And I was never able to before.

I’m working with girlie weights right now as I learn the motor patterns (occasionally a power clean sneaks in a full clean session… I just squat anyway!), but I feel WAY more healthy and injury-proof than before.

Something to think about for you.

Dave[/quote]

HOV, I did watch the Dan John video you referenced, it both helped explain things to me but also made me realize how pathetically stiff and immobile I am. However, I love to hear from somebody who has been there and worked their way out of it. Dan John convinced me I squatted wrong even when I was young, and now that I am older and stiffer I was well on my way to destroying my knees due to poor posture and weight bearing on my toes.

I am not giving up, but I really have not only bad flexibility but ingrained bad motor patterns. I am looking at this in as positive a light as I can...if I can change this, I will open up the full possibilities of my potential as a top notch Master's OL lifter...if I can't, well, I'll just be a bodybuilder and look buff for my age. (all my friends on T-Nation can now flame me for that last sentence, lol).                                                Doc
383

Friggin’ right, you have too much potential as a weightlifter. I think if you focus on your technique and flexibility you will be fine. There must be a decent coach in Florida. Now that you’re making the big bucks again you should look into it, right after the marriage councilor.

Stu

384

My stepson and I had problems with our squats, too many reasons to list but for the sake of being brief, the Dan John video you watched cured my problems.

I wacthed it, practiced, watched it practiced etc etc. Dramatic improvements in my abilities to squat, deadlift and other variations.
My stepson (19 and 6’4" and 242lbs of muscle) cannot squat - he hasn’t put the effort into learning the techniques, he’s damn strong but simply can’t get down low enough before he nearly falls over, no flexibility whatsoever.

the difference is the simple commitment to learning and practicing with lower weights until the movement starts to be smooth.

VERY pleased to hear about the house Doc and your job (if it’s waht you want).

As for the wife/son scenario. The way I see it you, me and every other man has some very simple duties in life. To honour and respect our wives and to raise our children to the best of our ability. Hopefully they will become people of integrity and the kind of poeple that others look up to and hold in high regard. You sound like you’ve got the second area covered nicely Doc.

NOTHING is more more important than family. Sure, training and money and other crap is fun and it’s nice to have goals but our main goal should be to fullfil our duties as men, first and foremost. Fail in that, and nothing else matters.

385

I love the variety of opinions and perspectives I receive here on T-Nation. Stu, your voice goes straight to the dreamer in me that sings along with Aerosmith…“Dream on, dream until your dreams come true!” That voice has led me to some pretty decent accomplishments in life, and I’m not squashing it. Not yet. I still close my eyes at night and see myself holding a big weight overhead on a competitive platform.

But Duke you always seem to have the balance in life pretty well figured out, the priorities. I am content now in my choices, even though my job will be a temporary toxic experience. I am also doing better with the wife, btw, the past few days have been monumentally better. This may be the sappiest thing I have or will ever write on this thread, but we went back to doing what we did when we met...wrote love letters to each other.

After we first met, we were subsequently apart for a year, and kept the flame of our love at first sight going just on letters alone. Doing it again proved to be a magical experience, and I will now be apart from her with far higher hopes for us than I would have believed this past month.I also know that going through the process of the divorce scenario and making detailed plans for it was quite a perspective changer for us both.

 It's not quite so bad being Dr. PC right now, I'll still count myself lucky on Christmas Day. I leave the day after to begin to climb some more "mountains," but there is plenty of life and spirit in this ol guy.                               Doc
386

Doc, the tide is turning.
Fantastic news, congratulations my friend.

Now don’t analyse it, just enjoy it!

387

Doc, I kept in touch with my wife and family for years via letters. It’s amazing how you can open up on things you just can’t manage to get out in person. Best of luck on the new job. Hope you have a great Christmas.

388

Hey, Merry Christmas to everyone, and no drama to report today. Christmas is sacred, and even though this was the leanest one in my life, it simply helped highlight for me the real meaning of this day. I am not the best Christian in the world, but I do have Christian values and try to be a spiritual person.

In my work, over the years, I have seen so many things that defy scientific explanation, such as the presence of genuine good and evil, that it helps me to believe in a higher power. I’m not so big on organized religions, but today is not the day to discuss that.

I know that part of today highlights the importance of giving, and that giving can involve a lot more than a few things you pick up at Target. Giving of your time, your heart, your energy, and other intangibles. 
Peace and joy for all, talk to you from Florida next.                         Doc
389

GOD Bless you & your family, Doc!

390

Doc,
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Carlsbad

391

Hey gang. Back in Florida, started my new (old) job today. Saw 25 very mentally ill folks, but it didnt stress me out one iota. Like riding a bike for me. First thing I did when I got into town yesteday afternoon was buy three sets of dumbells, and worked out hard last night…so don’t think I’m going lame on you guys. I know I’ll drop some weight…there just is no time for five high protein/good fat meals per day when I’m handling folks in seclusion and restraint and barking out code orders like in ER.

Thought about having a concealed protein IV drip in my suit jacket, but thats a little extreme! So maybe this is a good time to get leaner…just dont want to lose too much muscle.

My spirits are good and I wish I could share some of the wacky stories I hear...but alas there is this thing called confidentiality.  

But I can tell you I got hit on today by two different women. Unfortunately they were both manic as hell and hitting on every man they saw....lol                      Doc
392

I am glad to hear this Doc. You sound like your in good spirit overall and that is great. I am sorry you aren’t able to continue your quest for the three-bill powerclean right now, as I was hopeing to sneek in there and beat both you and the Newb to it, and it looks like I may still, but your life outside the gym has taken a wild ride lately so its totally understandable and again I am very glad to hear things are getting better for you and I wish you the happiest, prosperous and most enjoyable new year.

393

[quote]Dr.PowerClean wrote:
Hey gang. Back in Florida, started my new (old) job today. Saw 25 very mentally ill folks, but it didnt stress me out one iota. Like riding a bike for me. First thing I did when I got into town yesteday afternoon was buy three sets of dumbells, and worked out hard last night…so don’t think I’m going lame on you guys. I know I’ll drop some weight…there just is no time for five high protein/good fat meals per day when I’m handling folks in seclusion and restraint and barking out code orders like in ER.

Thought about having a concealed protein IV drip in my suit jacket, but thats a little extreme! So maybe this is a good time to get leaner…just dont want to lose too much muscle.

My spirits are good and I wish I could share some of the wacky stories I hear...but alas there is this thing called confidentiality.  

But I can tell you I got hit on today by two different women. Unfortunately they were both manic as hell and hitting on every man they saw....lol                      Doc[/quote]

Those are the best types… haha

Doc, try eating the same number of calories per day, just mostly in the evening after work. I know youhave the 'ol 5-6 small meals per day thing in your head, but IF will at least allow you to maintain your lean mass in the interim.

Glad to be back in a 1st world?

Al

394

[quote]Dr.PowerClean wrote:
I know I’ll drop some weight…there just is no time for five high protein/good fat meals per day when I’m handling folks in seclusion and restraint and barking out code orders like in ER.

Thought about having a concealed protein IV drip in my suit jacket, but thats a little extreme! So maybe this is a good time to get leaner…just dont want to lose too much muscle.

My spirits are good and I wish I could share some of the wacky stories I hear...but alas there is this thing called confidentiality.  

But I can tell you I got hit on today by two different women. Unfortunately they were both manic as hell and hitting on every man they saw....lol                      Doc[/quote]
  1. I want names and numbers for the women.
  2. You’ve been out of the states awhile, the leisure suit is no longer “in”.
  3. Go back to being a thrower and you can eat anything you want out of vending machines.
  4. Good to hear your settling in. Good to hear from you.
395

Nice to be hit upon, even by crazies. Crazies are great, we make the world interesting.

396

Hey. guys, I just woke up and was delighted to look at the clock, 6 am, meaning I got six hours sleep last night. That was because I just worked pretty much 60 hours non-stop and finally got some sack time last night. I dont want to sound grandiose, but I am good at what I do and the patients just flock to me and dont want to let go. I guess they recognize someone who can really understand what its like TO BE CRAZY!!!

 Anyway, three days down, eighty seven to go, and I'm still up. Plan on working out tonight...give me hell if I dont.

 Just feel like letting you guys know what a conflict this whole thing is...(you know me and conflicts). I have a gift for this stuff, especially with young people, even though this work really burns me out. After seeing 15 new admits and rounding on another fifteen wackos, there was a consult for me in labor and delivery, a pregnant 18 year old black girl, two months pregnant, was lying in bed and wouldnt talk to ANYONE for five days. Not even family, sweet nurses, no one. I spent ten minutes with her and she started telling me anything I wanted to know.

She didnt want to have the baby and was ashamed, not to mention the father was an asshole. But why people talk to me the way they do sometimes really amazes me. I wish I had this gift talking to girls when I was 20, I would have got laid I lot more than I did!!!

        I'll report in later,      Doc

BTW, hel320, you cracked me up about the being a thrower again thing. Yeah, it was alot more fun when my only dietary concern was getting 10,000 calories in a day. But somewhere along the line I got an unwelcome dose of both needing to be “healthy” and also a heavy dose of vanity, so now I worry about eating right and looking buff.

Shit, it was a lot more fun being a thrower…like I told Ne3b, I like to occassionally look at my 300 lb picture from college, it was a very happy, carefree time.

397

People always talked to me for some reason too. When I was a manager, the staff would always dump their personal shit on me, no matter which business it was. They used to call me Father or The Priest in one business.

Don’t know why it happened and I’m not upset that it did, it felt really good when I was able to help people with their problems. You must get a lot of satisfaction from what you do Doc, I envy you in that respect.

398

Happy New Year Everybody, and I really mean it. This is the year I turn things around for me. I truly believe by this time next year I will have either restored balance, harmony, love and security to my family, or I will have made major changes and have embarked on a completely new journey in life. Either way, I am dedicated to making the best of it, and want to squeeze the orange of life for every drop of juice I can.
I wish everybody success in your new year, accomplishing whatever goals you set, and make sure and set meaninful goals, not trite “resolutions” that nobody takes resolutely. Doc

399

Happy New Year you wackos. May 2008 bring you all your goals in and out of the gym.

400

Hey, I’ve got a workout story to report. I’ve been staying at a friend’s house until I get a day off to turn on the power and such to my house. So tonight I sucked it up after a shorter day of work (only 11 hours!) and I went to the local clubhouse gym. About ten machines plus a db rack and an EZ curl bar with some weights. Good enough for me for now. So here’s the fun part.

There’s an alpha male guy in there, bout my age, my height and forty more pounds, but flab. He’s got two females doing cardio he’s flirting with while doing machine benches and lat pulldowns. He apparently is the clubhouse manager, and he starts grilling me for who I am, what house I’m staying at, what I do, how long I’ll be in the community, and on and on. I answer what I consider is a friendly amount of responses, but he persists, as if I am an unwelcome intruder.

At this point, my tired and severely sleep deprived brain says “No More” and it is now time to put this wannabe Silverback in his place. I tell him “Excuse me, I’m here to train,” and I proceed to rapidly do sets of ten with the stack on every machine that he was working on, benches, lats, tri pushdowns, and cable rows. He retreated to the shadows of the cardio machines and didn’t bother me anymore.

I've actually lost some strength, because those stacks were only 200 lbs, and the sets of ten weren't exactly easy. But it still felt damn good to train again and show up a different kind of gym weenie.
                  Still kickin', Doc