krose58’s BodyBlog

I haven’t returned to training just yet, though I’m beginning to feel the urge. I dropped by the gym yesterday for a few quick "test" lifts. I benched 125, but got a twinge in my back when I attempted 135. I apparently need to cool it a bit longer. 

I’m still recovering from my injured SI joint. Pain is mostly gone, but my lower back tires easily PT says don’t bend over untill all pain is gone. Hope it’s soon. I’m contemplating returning to the gym for some easy exercise to keep me limber and my muscles in condition. Then I can build back up to challenging weights.

Well, I didn’t set any personal records due to my injured SI joint, but I set a League record and a state record! I was also awarded “Best Female Lifter” which is kind of a joke, as I was the only woman there! I did 100, 115, 125, then tried for 130. I missed the 130 pound lift, so I didn”t break my personal record of 135 pounds. But I got through OK and received a lot of encouragement from everyone there, particularly the other lifters. One lifter’s wife met me in the rest room and said she was so pleased to see me doing this with my husband, and that her husband wanted her to do it too!

It was more fun than I thought and I will definitely do it again. All in all, a very worthwhile experience. Now I want to up my lifts! I’m even thinking of adding “strict curls” to my repertoire.

I’m feeling good enough to compete. I am not completly recovered yet, that may take several more weeks, but I can bench without much discomfort. I just can’t bench quite as much right now. But, I want to go ahead and do it!

I carefully returned to the gym today. I did only those exercised that did not engage my right sacroiliac joint, such as benches, assisted chins/dips, machine preacher curls and triceps pushdowns. I did not force myself, and kept my weights to only about 85% of my previous maxes. I felt OK, and plan to workout again next week after visiting my physical therapist. I vary well may be able to compete in the upcoming meet. We’ll’ see.

The neurosurgeon diagnosed my "back" problem as actually an injured sacroiliac joint. Not a back issue. Recovery is just some PT and rest. Hopefully I will be back to relative normalcy in a week or two. Then we will see about starting back with my strength training - MINUS any dead lifts!

I still want to increase my benches as much and as fast as possible. One thing that encourages me a lot (besides hubby) is how well my triceps have responded to heavy training. It seems like all I need to do is think about pumping those muscles and their strength explodes (reference my 155 lb. triceps pushdowns)! Hubby loves to comment on how amazingly huge and solid my triceps feel, and points to the fact that my triceps muscles now match his in overall size (remember, I have 17+ inch arms)! Plus, they are now beginning to close the gap in sculpting and hardness! Wow! That makes me want to push my muscles as far as they will go!

Though quite a task, what with his 300+ lb benches and rock-hard chiseled muscles, but seeing where I am already, and how well my triceps respond to heavy lifting, if I work them real hard, might it be possible for me to someday actually challenge the strength and muscular development of dear hubby’s triceps? I have no doubt the answer is: no way! But it would be fun seeing just how close I can get!

My MRI scans showed no major damage to my back. What a relief! Now I just need to visit the neurosurgeon to assess my recovery and treatment. I may be back to my training sooner than I thought, though I am still unable to get around very easily.

Well, the Doc told me the news: I have a herniated disk. Not good. At best I’m looking at three weeks total bed rest. Or at worst, maybe even surgery. I’ll know more after my MRI. Sure puts the stops on my strength training, not to mention most other parts of my life. Thank god for hubby; wiith him we’ll make it through this and come out stronger! 

I am showing a slight improvement today, which is encouraging. Went back to work. It was uncomfortable, but doable. All I can do is what I’m doing and hope for the best.

Not much improvement in my back so far. Went to my Chiropractor/Kinesiologist today with hubby. Doc said I was a mess and he did what he could do. In much pain. Doc said it may be this weekend until I feel much improvement, and NO TRAINING. Damn! I’m also missing work, and I don’t get paid unless I see clients. Not good. I only hope I haven’t done something serious; Doc doesn’t think so.