For me it was two things: crippling back pain and anxiety attacks.
I attributed all my back pain to years of abuse: mountain biking, motocross, random falls from skiing, etc. All the standard docs wanted to do was jack me up full of muscle relaxants and pain killers. Found relief with a holistic chiro who used NET (nueroemotional technique), along with some key supplements.
Anxiety: in 2001, in mid 30’s, had a shitstorm happen. New baby, wife in post partum depression, put my dog down, dad blinded and crippled in a car wreck, and on verge of losing a 150k/year job. Got anxiety attacks for the first time in my life and had no idea wtf was happening. Regular docs found nothing, just wanted me on some anti anxiety meds. Instead found relief with an amazing 4th-generation Chinese acupuncturist and herbalist. 4 visits and had to drink some foul tasting tea and voila. I felt great and was sleeping great again.
In the 16 years since that happened, I went back for mild symptoms maybe 3x.
My gf has had even more profound experiences with alternative healing approaches.
Been doing the job for a week. Was only supposed to be a week, but they want back next week. No idea how long this will last.
Running around after hyperactive kids. Teaching math and chess, but spending more time on games, exercise, visits to park, you name it. The first day I was sore all over. Got used to it pretty quickly.
While there’s been no time to go to the gym, been getting quite a bit of exercise. After losing 20 lbs, actually in pretty good shape. Oh, and they feed me, too.
They hired me back for another week, and apparently a few more. Pay is shit, but it’s pay. So went back to the gym. Remember, stopped consistent training back in May. Good news, feel good and refreshed. Bad news, strength is awful, even by my standards.
Tues
Tri pulldown 35 x 25
Pec deck 40 x 20
Arm curl 30 lbs x 18
OH press 45 x 15
Hammer pulldown 90 x 14
Bench 75 x 12
Wed
Leg Extension 90 x 15
Leg curl 70 x 20
Squat 95 x 10
Deadlift 135 x 7 135 x 8
taking it easy to make sure DOMS isn’t too bad. A bit in my chest, some in traps, no problem.
Was intrigued by the T-Nation article on different lifting types. I certainly qualify as a “avoids trouble” type, so using some ideas. Making a point to make workouts as non-threatening as possible.
took everything as slow and thorough as possible, making sure there’s lots of time under tension. Came home, ate, and suddenly fell into bed for a nap. It sure took a lot out of me.
Glad to hear at least there is some movement and some money. I’m the same say, not getting paid enough for rent, let alone the 2.5 hour commute for like 3-4 hours of work a day, but that’s been exercise as well. I’m sure running around with kids is great exercise.
Yesterday: lower body. Concentrate on squat stuff. Putting loads of time under tension, at least 30 seconds each set.
Leg Ext
60 x 15
60 x 15
Plate loaded leg press
90 x 12
90 x 12
Squat
135 - lockout and hold
185 - lockout and hold
95 x 12
technically, the 95’s were good reps, but didn’t like how they felt. Got twinging in hips, form started slip, not good on such low weight. Gonna do a lot of broomstick practice in my spare time.
Arm curl
35 x 15
35 x 13
very happy with that, stronger since last time
Tri pulldown
40 x 18
40 x 14
good ones there
DB lat raises
10 x 18
10 x 13
REALLY burned delts
Seated row
70 x 15
70 x 12
Bench
45 x 12
135 - lockout and hold
135 - lockout and hold - felt really heavy, but could control it, good
75 x 13
75 x 7
WTF?? am I weaker? please tell me I’m just burned out by the previous stuff
OH press
45 x 8 - FAILURE
35 x 11
had to put everything I had into that, so tough
OH press
45 x 15
45 x 10
felt some good control for a change
Seated row
70 x 18
70 x 10
Bench
45 x 17
135 lockout
75 x 12 - this just isn’t working. I don’t get it. No control, no gains
65 x 12 - got control
65 x 8 - got tough at the end but I pushed it through
Lower body (squat) day. Poured it on really hard. Everything slow controlled tension.
Leg extension
60 x 15
60 x 13
60 x 12
60 x 12
wow, real burn on that.
Wanted to do plate loading press but couple guys hogging it. Go straight to squats.
95 x 12
95 x 11
95 x 11
95 x 10
made it all the way through and even with all the burning still walking. Confidence ticked up a tad. Still want to do leg presses, but they’re still on the machine. Use - ugh - Cybex.
Leg press
90 x 22
130 x 15
Legs felt really solid. Today surprised there was barely any DOMS at all.
Hyper extension
10 lb plate x 12
10 x 12
10 x 12
10 x 12
Leg curl
90 x 12
90 x 11
90 x 12
90 x 11
Deadlift
145 x 9
145 x 8
145 x 8
145 x 9
irritating, grip kept giving out. Started each set with parallel grip, but had to switch to mixed half way through.
leg ext
70 x 12
70 x 12
70 x 12
70 x 12
strongr than last time
plate leg press
1 plate each side x 18
1 x 18
1 x 18
1 x 18
easy
squat
105 x 8
105 x 6
105 x 8
105 x 6
ooh, not good, really had to struggle. kept telling myself I was just worn out by the previous stuff but doesn’t help much
Still got the job at the summer camp, although don’t know if they need me anymore. Anyway, got all the Chinese food I could eat out of them which helps a lot. If I can’t afford food, will have to stop going to gym and I just hate that.
No summer camp this week because of 4th July. However, they did have a potluck get-together Tuesday at a state park. Very nice day, park was packed. Wouldn’t you know it, I got food poisoning. Spent the next day barfing and shitting. Finally got over it, started eating, and got to the gym for upper body. Taking every set to near failure, to where things start slowing down.
Bench
75 x 12
75 x 10
75 x 10
moved these to first thing so I don’t get worn out before doing them. Seems to work, feeling stronger on them.
Seated row
80 x 16
80 x 11
Incline bench
60 x 12
60 x 10
feeling a bit stronger
Arm curl
40 x 10
40 x 7
little better than expected
I wouldn’t go that far. Money is a real problem. The current job has very erratic hours, at the moment I don’t have enough to pay rent at the end of the month. Which means I have to cut back on food again and have stopped working out. It’s very frustrating.
Haven’t been going to the gym. Friday, however, summer camp wanted me back to help with the field trip. We went to a park, hiked a couple miles, ran around the picnic area, up and down hills, then went bowling. I chose the heaviest ball I could find and just powered it down the alley. Even though it’d been decades since I last played, did okay. Broke 100 on the second game.
Body reacted as if I’d been pumping iron all day. Hellava appetite. Next day the apartment complex had a Bingo and pizza party. Before I knew what I was doing, I devoured almost an entire sausage pizza.
It’s been two weeks, haven’t gone to gym because I have to keep food to a minimum until I get some steady work. The summer camp is fun but very erratic hours, don’t know when they want me in. They have, however, let me stop by and pick up lunch leftovers. Since I can do some heavy eating, went to gym.
Sonofagun, apparently the park/bowling thing did me some good. Thought I would be pretty weak, but actually felt strong and in control of the bar.
Squat
45 x 10
95 x 10
115 x 6
Bench
45 x 12
65 x 12
75 x 12
95 x 5
Reverse row on smith machine
x 12
x 10
OH press
45 x 12
65 x 6
Took it easy, slow down and fast up. Sore as crap today, of course.
Been doing job interviews, friends have lent me some money so I can pay rent. Really, really hope I can get out of this damn poverty.
