b.spencer’s BodyBlog

Well . . . I got some bad news yesterday. My GP sent the MRI of my L-Spine off for a second reading when she saw something the radiologist missed. I have been diagnosed with a disc herniation at L5/S1 with some mild extruded disc. That’s a big miss in my book. While the doctor is hopeful that this will heal without surgery (My symptoms have improved greatly and continue to do so), I’m gonna have to rework my workouts for a long time to give this a chance to properly heal. Starting today, no squats, angled leg presses, deadlifts, bent over rows, overhead lifts, and , for at least one workout cycle, no barbell curls or standing shrugs. I feel like my legs have been cut out from under me, pardon the pun. But, I don’t want to end up needing surgery for sure (still a chance of that) nor being permanently crippled. So, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. I’m meeting my new PT today and will start creating a new workout for the cycle. it will most likely be more machine heavy than I like, but it may be helpful for growth, since I use machines so rarely. Hoping for the best.

I did measurements this morning.  Although to my eyes it seems like I’ve made little progress, I’ve gained an 1/8" on my bi’s, and 1/4" on my quads and calves over last month.  With the disc herniation (yes, on reinspection of the MRI, I have a moderate  L5/S1 herniation) symptoms getting better with the stretching, and being able to get back to biking on a limited basis, I’m showing some regrowth in my right leg. 

Changed to a new workout today to go along with starting my first bulking cycle.

After the almost over-training I’ve been doing for the last 6 weeks, I deliberately made this one simple.  Simple, basic movements, stuff that I can get good gains (I hope) from good weights and good form.  Today was back and bi’s ,and I was really excited that after almost three months not being able to do a single rep because of injury, I got one set of deadlifts in.  Was really light weight (only 190 lbs) just to see how my back would hold up.  I got 10 solid reps without difficulty in technique and — more importantly — no pain.  Could have done more, but I didn’t want to push back too hard, too fast.  Working stupidly was what go me injured in the first place.

Thursday, I’m gonna stick in a second set of deadlifts and and tack on a few more pounds.  Hopefully, things will go as well.

This first post is a bit of  . . . personal happiness.  I’m sure this is nothing to you guys who barely notice your abs you’ve had them for so long, but it means a lot to me.

Now, I haven’t seen abs on myself since I was about 6 years old adnd rail thin (and how good can those be at that age??).  This past weekend I was getting ready to shower when I glanced in the mirror.  Ignoring the loose skin I have, I noticed two faint new bulges a couple of inches below my ribs.  I moved the skin and the bumps stayed put.  I crunched down on my stomach, trying to flex and they became more visible (just).  I started to feel more intently, and for the first time under the skin I could feel my abs.  I felt about 10 miles tall at that moment.  It’s still mind boggling to me that it’s actually real.

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