Dani's Rebel Log

Training Training Logs
1890

Shoveling snow: I’m counting this as cardio. And if the snowfall continues, then I’ll be going out there for shovel-session-number-four.

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T Nation HQ Workout

  • Abs
  • Hip Thrust
  • Pull-Up
  • Deadlift
  • Walking Lunge

There’s an Armpit Muscle? Yes!

Upper lats
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Chris might’ve accidentally fixed my shoulder last night. He was giving me a back rub, but then discovered a crazy tight area in the upper lat area (along the back of the armpit), and I can’t begin to describe how effective it felt when he kneaded it out.

My best guess is that I tweaked my shoulder last month, then the muscles surrounding the area tightened up to protect it, and that caused some lingering aches and pains.

Massages: I recommend them.

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1891

Aren’t there rules on here somewhere about not using foul language :joy:

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1892

I have experienced this through ART treatments.

Once upon a time, I was bench pressing my way to glory. Of the problems that developed, one was a bunched up scapular something or other, resulting in poor scapular mobility.

So the ART guy reached in through my arm pit to the front of my scapula (between the rib cage & scap) and peeled a bunch of stuff apart. It felt like getting my hair ripped out, but through a whole different route.

Then, It felt Amazing! And my shoulder worked way better. Unfortunately, I never did reach any higher state of being through the bench, but I gave it an honest shot, and no longer have problems with impingement.

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1893

All your heavy compound exercises are basically ab training. Face it, you train abs harder than I ever do! :rofl:

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1894

ART is essential! Wish more people knew about it. Chris and I are lucky to have a chiro that does it.

That sounds exactly like something I need. Thank you for sharing this memory! I’ll ask about it next time. Those upper lats apparently lock up the shoulders and scaps when they get tight.

1 Like
1895

Today’s Workout

Foam roller session focusing on lats, traps, and the mid back

  • Dips: 3x5-7
  • Chest Press: 4x15
  • Lateral Raise: 2-3 Iso-holds at the top for 20 seconds prior to each set, then 4x15
  • Curls: 4x8 last set was rest-pause because this was 10 lbs heavier than usual: Win!
  • Abs: 2x15 each side banded dead bug

Shoulder is feeling great, but the upper lats and lower traps are still tightening up for no reason. So today’s upper body session was all anterior muscles: chest, shoulders, biceps.

Has anyone done cupping? The thing where you end up with the huge dark circles all over your muscles? I’m considering that for my back. It’s not like it’s in any pain, it’s just constantly tight and apparently that can exacerbate other non-serious injuries like what happened with my shoulder.

Chris has been massaging my upper lats a lot and I think that really makes a dramatic difference. Then armpit massages turn into other activities, so he seems to be all for it. And this was the best sentence of the weekend:

“Stop being weird and come get your armpits massaged.” –My husband

Fascinating Stuff

This is the story behind the handsome lion that @SkyzykS shared last week. It popped up in my Twitter timeline just a day or two after our taxidermy convo, and I forgot to post it!

The pendulum swing in the fashion industry is the most insane thing ever:

And this hot take on estrogen versus progesterone is fascinating. I don’t know if she’s right, but I do think she’s onto something. And she may be more right than a lot of conventional docs who know zip about female hormones.

Speaking of progesterone, this podcast on it is extremely powerful.

Most people associate progesterone with pregnancy but that’s pretty myopic. Instead, women should associate it with a fired up metabolism, better sleep, better skin, youthful appearance, relaxed disposition, smaller waistline, better mood, higher sex drive, and the urge to lean into your femininity. I wear more dresses and skirts when taking a higher dose of progesterone.

And I don’t care if that sounds like pseudoscience. I’ll just be over here enjoying life and getting my armpits massaged. :wink:

4 Likes
1896

certified Chinese person ™ here. My mum and aunt do it regularly. I wouldn’t suggest it for your case

I would not suggest cupping then. Cupping “works” by causing minor damage → promotes blood flow to injured tissue. It isn’t going to help much with tightness. You might get transitory relief from the tightness of the cups telling the CNS to relax, but that same effect can be achieve with foam rolling or rolling with a tennis/lacrosse ball.

Also, there is a non-trivial chance of adverse events (e.g., burns, excessive bruising), especially if the practicioner isn’t skilled. Even in the cases where it “works” (e.g., the beneficial inflamatory and blood flow response) mild exercise is just as, if not more, effective

If you want something lower risk and higher reward, try guasha or some other form of deep tissue massage like sports or thai massage

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1897

WHOA! Excellent info!

This seems ideal. I just get tired of masseuses going too easy on me. They for some reason don’t dig in hard enough.

1898

:rofl:. He’s the original funny cat meme.

I do the same thing for my wife too, as she has arthritis & bone spurs of the mid & upper spine. It does provide a great deal of relief. :smirk:

I end up working through her mid & upper traps a good bit, as they seem to be most susceptible to pain and muscle spasm from the nerve channels that radiate from the spine.

And it is a really good time for intimate communication. Which leads to, you know. I had this great therapist (psychological) that said something to the effect of “Titillation (like we find on the internet & whatnot) is a poor substitute for true intimacy.”. And I’ve since found that to be true. We both get a lot out of that time. It’s a great way to share & care.

:shushing_face:. Behind my rough exterior, I’m pretty mushy & stuff.

3 Likes
1899

As every truly masculine male is and should be. :hugs:

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1900

Yer but you see yours :joy::joy::joy::joy:

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1901

Typical.

Us gentlemen really out here trying to give platonic massages, and y’all ladies always trying to sex it all up.
You ladies only think about one thing, and its disgusting.
:roll_eyes:

You may find the exchange starting here to be interesting.

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1902

We have needs, you know!

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1903

My favorite thing: During a massage, I’m trying to be all sensual and she’s like, “Dig into the subscapularis then work your way across to the nomiticulaus vortexual contraptual appenditure!” That dirty pillow talk really gets me going. :grinning:

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1904

I always just assumed this was woman-speak for “you’re on my hair”.

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1905

I have done cupping when I was rehabing my leg. It was great to help with muscle tension in the leg and back. I now prefer dry needles, it leave a lot less marks and it is faster for the same kind of results. For me any way.

As far as progesterone goes. I get a lot of benefit but I guess if I never had much of a girly side that will not show up. I am on a combo of progesterone and test. Life is much better now with those on board.

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1906

If you’re going to offer a massage, I will take it seriously. You knew what you were getting into marrying a muscular beast of a woman. :kissing_heart:

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1907

Ooooooh excellent tip, thank you!!

However the benefits show up for you is just great! Maybe when we’re feeling our best, we just lean into whatever version of ourselves we’re wanting to display the most – whatever that happens to look like. Just spit-balling here.

YESSSSS!!! I concur! :raised_hands:

1908

HA! This gave me a big chuckle. Your ability to write sarcasm is chef’s kiss.

I definitely did! The Graston technique – even though there’s not a lot of data or science as you mentioned – looks really promising for what I’m dealing with, which is not an injury, just a chronic tightness that often causes minor tweaks in the scaps and shoulders.

Tight upper back muscles have been an issue for a few years now. But it’s not acutely painful, so I just work around it. “Muscle guarding” is what I’ve been told it is, so I might be an ideal candidate for that technique.

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1909

*sometimes. :joy:

1 Like