I have said for a very long time that when it comes to bodybuilding - the training, the nutrition, the sacrifices, etc., - nothing about it takes discipline for me. This is not to insinuate that I am a badass or wired differently than the rest of you but because when you do something you love or are passionate about, that doesn't take discipline. Having discipline is doing something you do not want to do but knowing you will be better off for it.
That being said, I have had to dig deep and really shift my psyche to stay focused on training this month. It is definitely not something I care much about right now considering it is the Holidays and there are a ton of things to get done, but the fact that I know I am starting a prep at the 1st of the year makes me want to sit back that much more and take it easy. Obviously, the next 6 months are going to be balls out.
What is keeping me going is the thought of how much extra time it will take me to make up the time that I might take off this month. Yes, time off has its benefits including getting rid of nagging aches and pains and coming into a prep fresh BUT ... I still can't force myself to take the time off. Instead, I am compromising.
I touched on this in a past coach log about training on the days that I want to train instead of a black and white schedule. That is working great and as an example, this week Mrs. Skip and I trained Wed, Thur and Fri. instead of Mon, Wed and Fri.
Not only are we flexing out the days to still get the same workouts in but we are also cutting back on intensity just a bit and cutting back on volume. At the same time, I am pushing as much weight if not more than usual. This is not surprising when you consider my current diet is higher in calories than usual (late night meal is large before bed) and volume is lower so recovery is better.
However, I do have some aches and pains. Nothing major but I need these to settle down before prep starts:
1. lower back has been "tender". It doesn't hurt and isn't tight but there is some minor sensitivity on the right side and I haven't had this for a while. Most would think that it would be a good idea to back off on exercises that work my lower back but ... I have learned a lot about my back in the last few years and what I needed to do, I did, and that was to work it MORE. I have learned that for ME, when my back gets irritated it will feel better if I do more work like bent over rows and other back rowing exercises that aren't supported (supporting my lower back) and doing more squatting, overhead push pressing, etc.. If I avoid working my lower back and work around it - like you would think would help it to "rest" and get better - this rarely works unless I have already injured it.
I have also started using my Teeter Hang up a lot more, as well, and it seems to be helping. I only do about 10 minutes per day on it but in conjunction with my stretching protocol and my chiro visits, I should be good. Truth be told, I started missing chiro visits (for about a month) and was skipping my stretches and ... guess what happens? It's like clockwork.
I only have 2 weeks to stay focused and enjoy the last bit of the year before the prep starts. I will continue to get the workouts in but is going to take some effort. After the first of the year when it is time to prep, NO PROBLEM. I am the type of person that could prep for 52 weeks straight and be happy about it.
I'm weird like that.
Skip