My body is telling me to back off and I’m not actually sure what’s happening. It tolerates less and less intensity. I black out constantly at the gym and have to hold onto equipment to not fall down. I’m unable to sleep past about 3-4 am. I experience a crazy respiratory reaction with any amount of caffeine (immediate throat pain, runny nose).
Last year I posted about how intense metcon would cause a ripping feeling in my lungs and throat for days after a workout, and that’s still the same. So intensity is off the table and has been for a while.
I can usually do stuff like harder hikes, supersets, and the 100 reps of leg presses unbroken without repercussion, but my threshold stops just above that when anything requires me to breathe much harder.
The last time I did intense metcon was the challenge video with the loaded carries and the pushup ladder. That was fall of 2021.
I went to the doctor for the lung symptoms and they did a bunch of stupid tests that showed nothing. It’s not allergies. It’s not stomach acid. These were both suggested to me, and they’re good guesses. But I suspect it’s somehow adrenal… I just don’t know how the dots connect.
So I’m considering taking time off from lifting, or maybe just isolating muscles, hitting abs, and walking until I can get things under control again.
Kinda sucks but I want to get my health in order before actual menopause begins. And it may be coming sooner than I thought. Honestly, it’s not that bad if you manage your stress and build muscle.
Dr. Tyna Moore did an excellent podcast on menopause, and it blew my dang mind. She also mentioned andropause, which men go through. So it’s worth a listen.
On a lighter note, do you let your abs “dome” when training them? Stop that! (I do it on occasion accidentally.) So here’s a fantastic video from MegSquats. I love her teaching style!
Today’s Workout:
I’m kinda still hitting full-ish body, but today all I could do was a couple compound lifts and a couple isolation lifts.
Bench Press: 4 x 6-8 (left one rep in reserve)
Toe-Elevated RDL: 4 x 10-12 (pauses at the bottom)
Adductor Machine: 4 x 15 full ROM, 15 partials
Lateral Raise Machine: 4 x failure with a drop set and partials