It’s always something.
It’s actually a running joke in our house that I never stay completely healthy or injury-free for long. If I’m feeling fantastic, it’s only a matter of time before something happens.
So this isn’t surprising:
On Monday morning (before we hit the gym) Chris and I were walking the dogs and I looked up to see if we could let them loose at an open field in our neighborhood. But the moment I took my eyes away from the uneven sidewalk, I tripped and my entire body kinda dove forward.
I can’t remember the last time I took a spill this hard, but it felt like my left femur came out of socket from my hip. The pain was unreal. I think maybe my left leg went forward to try and save me but failed. It kinda feels like I sprained my butt and have a minor hamstring strain.
So that morning I just hit upper body. No biggie… and luckily the hip/hamstring pain has been getting better every day since.
Then yesterday I tried to test things out and see what I could do for lower body, and it was kind of bizarre.
Out of all the exercises I tried, walking lunges and the seated adductor (booty machine) were the only things that didn’t hurt. Anything where there’s tension in the hamstrings while they’re in the lengthened position is off the table right now.
Yesterday’s Workout
Adductor Machine: 4 x 15 full ROM and 15 partials
Walking lunges: 4 x out and back with pauses at the hardest part
This is part of the reason why I have to train like a hippie, rebel, or whatever you want to call it. If you’re injury-prone or have a history of chronic systemic problems, you can’t really follow someone else’s program. Not for long at least.
You have to work out intuitively, challenge yourself in ways that won’t make the problem worse, and figure out how to stay consistent.
Why do so many trainers crap on people who can keep themselves physically fit without following their rigid idea of fitness and lifting?
Most experts poo-poo the idea of working out without a pre-made plan. But there’s a world full of obese and under-muscled people who aren’t consistent in the gym. And if you’ve learned how to avoid those two conditions – regardless of what you’re doing – then that’s a win.
Sometimes I get the impression that there are experts who don’t want others to succeed unless it’s with their pre-approved methods.
I like this article from Lee Boyce about training plans. I think the title is a little more bombastic than his main point, but regardless, it’s worth a read.
