This week was really difficult and as you can see the number are high with a lot of repetitions. My muscle memory was low as was my stamina. I was tired after the first couple of sets so I cut down my workout and really focus on doing everything correctly with good form through the last repetition. I was forced to retrain my mind from the heavy lifting I was used to doing because if I had attempted to go heavy the workout would have been short and do more harm than could physically and mentally.
As I mentioned earlier this was a humbling experience that was painful at best but it forced me to reach within for the commitment it would take to improve. Initially, when I tried to get going prior to this week, my thought process was my biggest barrier as I kept thinking that I want to get back where I was in terms of strength and stamina. This was getting in the was because it just created more disappointment and less motivation to keeping. A few times, I had to hold back some tears as I realized that I was not the person I had been and I was sure I had what it took to get back to my prior status. Putting myself down and feeling sorry for myself was not helping at all and I knew it. I needed to create a new belief system that was consistent with me improving not concern myself with getting back since there is no going back only forward in any aspect of our lives. I wished I could take the 6 months off back but I could not. Once I admitted and accepted where I was at the time I'd be able to make progress and move forward.
So I dropped the past and left it where it was, Gone Forever if I'd allow it. The new belief, that I would work hard and steadily make progress was supported by my own history. From experience I knew that I was not afraid of hard work and have worked hard since the age of 8. My father did not play and you don't work you don't eat was more than an idiom for me. It was real. I also knew from experience that commitment was also something I was familiar with as well as creating successful plans. I only had to reach back to recent and some not so recent professional history as well personal. And when I recalled my divorce and prospect of being without my children and then suddenly I had to prepare to raise them alone, I understood that I was able to overcome adversity.You see I got my mind right and the past successes were no longer a burden as they became my motivation, my inspiration and muse. I sang this song every morning as Ii left for the gym, "you can do this Big, you can do this".
While this mantra helped, I still need to create a simple plan. Please understand working out is not complicated nor is it easy. My plan was simple I had to force down my ego, ignore the haters and naysayers who watched and whispered as I faltered. Ignore them, you have been laughed at before and you have experienced many detractors. Secondly I needed a workout that was conducive to progressing steadily as I'd when I first started lifting. So I decided that I would not touch a weight if I was not able to do a minimum of at least 10 reps before I moved up.
I also want to be clear that I am not gong full blast yet since the strength is progressing quicker than my stamina. I may need to break up my workout and do 2 a days. I am so tired at the end of each and I am electing not to do certain motions that are essential to full development and balance. Balance is important to fitness and preventing injury. Small muscles impact larger ones and if you only do the large muscle groups as they are more popular you will begin to experience little nagging injuries that will seem to linger for long periods. It is not because you hurt it that badly but you continue to re injure due to the imbalance in your muscle groups. This also why I recommend using dumbbells and machines that allow you to use your arms legs etc... individually rather than one joining mechanism. When you use a long bar or machine with the joining in the middle your strong side is able to compensate the less dominate side. It is likely your dominant side is the same as your dominant hand. My case is unusual since I was naturally left handed as a child and attended Catholic School. Who can tell me why this is significant? My left side is naturally stronger than my right but via dumb bells they are relatively balanced at this point.
You guys be the judge whether or not it worked as I post my stats and comment or as questions. I look forward to hearing from you. |
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