Joe’s BodyBlog

So last week I posted how much this back injury has set me back, but I have to admit, I feel really good getting back to the gym. Yes I am weak, but I am taking it slow, using light weight (no free weights right now, Dr’s orders!) and high reps just to get the kinks worked out. So far so good. The bad stress in my life hasn’t changed, so my weight is continuing to drop, I lost 2 more pounds. I realize this is muscle that I am losing, but I am hoping that by me getting back into the gym and making sure I eat correctly I can fix my body a little. I mean I needed to lose the weight, but not in an unhealthy manner as this. Do I mind that I am 186lbs, no, but since I lost 10 lbs over the past 3 weeks… that is not healthy. My appetite is not really good, the stress has caused my  stomach to have all sorts of issues, and eating has been harder. I am hoping that by working out and beating the stress my stomach will calm down so I can get back on track.

Man it is amazing how injuries can derail you. This back injury has been so bad I am very, very weak. My two days back working out have been just basic stuff; Abs and Core work, stretching, Cardio, but man does it stink when you are done and you can feel your body shaking because it is so weak. I have a long way to go, but lots of time to get there, so slow will be the pace. It just sucks to be in the position in the first place. But I am determined to get myself back on track.

Monday I got my second epidural injection. I am mad at myself for waiting as long as I did to get this help. I could have been months ahead of the game if I had let the Doctor give it to me back in December when he originally suggested it. I am feeling so much better. The pain is almost completely gone,  I am sleeping better and I wake up ready to go!  I got cleared to go back to the gym, but I am very weak so I am going to be moving very slowly towards my goals. Initially, I need to concentrate on my core strength to help my back. But I also need to work the rest of my body. I am looking forward to this but I know it is going to be tough. Now, the stress… amazing what stress can do to a person. The last two plus weeks I have been under a lot of personal stress, something bad happened in my life that really is hurting me and from it I lost eight pounds! Of course this is not a good way to lose weight, but since I realize what happened, why it happened and what I can do about it, I can hopefully take corrective action to not lose anymore muscle. But I have to admit, I am happy to be below 190 for the first time since about 6-8 years ago… I am now 188.

Things are getting so much better now. The pain is going down dramatically, my flexibility and ROM are coming back. I ran into my doctor the other day at the hockey game (GO Carolina Hurricanes!) and I asked him about my golf trip this week (if it was ok for me to do it since I forgot to ask before). He said yes but, I will probably be in pain most of the time. I just need to make sure I stretch first before playing and get myself as limber as possible. Plus, I have some pain killers handy! It is a good thing I have my second shot on Monday of next week, so if I cause any inflammation by golfing, I can reduce it with the shot. .

After this shot within a few days, I can go back to the gym. YEAH! I just have to take it real slow. So I am looking forward to that day when I can return to the gym.

So far the past week plus has been really good. I am felling much better and I am starting to get my ROM back. My stretching is improving and I have been given the green light to start SLOWLY working out again. So I am very happy. I get my second shot on the 24th so as far as I am concerned it can’t come quick enough…

I also got my Inversion Table last week and start using that right away. I firmly believe that the table is helping me to push my rehab for my back. It is deeply stretching my lower back and hips, combined with my Yoga, Pilates and stretching and I am feeling much better!

I am going to start some light cardio and full body work over the next week and continue that for a few weeks. I do not want to regress. I have goals to meet!