I have been doing this a long time. What is "this"? Everything. I have been training a long time; I have been raising kids a long time; I have been running a business a long time; I have been dealing with obstacles and stress for a long time; I have been overcoming obstacles and stress a long time. Basically, I'm a veteran to this shit.
Still, it seems odd how when one or two things hit, it all hits. I managed to get sick last Sunday that wasn't a death sick but was bad enough that it was a better idea not to train on Monday, putting it off until Tuesday to be sure. Digestion wasn't right on Tuesday so put it off till Wednesday but on Wednesday had a lot of appointments for my teenage son who is struggling with poor decisions right now and trying to get through this phase of his life. Obviously, those things took priority that day (you know, as a Father). Got to Thursday but was bogged down with a huge project on a deadline for a new business that is in the development stage so that took priority figuring if I can just get everything done this week I can be back at it on Monday. You might think, "Bro, you just gotta make it work". I have been doing this for over 30 years; I've got this.
I kinda know when I can step back and when I shouldn't. I understand the significance of 1 or 2 workouts over the course of 5000 of them and the weight of missing one vs. the benefits for my joints and a break for my psyche. I much prefer to train but when the situation is that where training would be MORE stressful, I weigh things out and make a responsible decision. At least right now, even after being sick, it was a better idea to take the added rest for the rest of the week and come back fresh next week. Why?
I had been going 100% since late November without a break and even though things were going well, I was having some signs that I needed a cruise week for training, anyway.
Most of you know that I dealt with periformis syndrome a few weeks ago and that is an inflammation or "overuse" situation. There was the first sign. I also have been having inflammation in my quad tendons and very fatigued rectus femoris muscles from, I believe, too much cardio for too long without a break. I did force a break from cardio about 4 weeks ago and there was a huge benefit from doing so. These are 2 more signs.
It would have been nice to still get in and train light but the reality when you grow up and have grown up shit going on is you have to prioritize sometimes. Well, you have to prioritize if you plan to have other aspects of your life that you want to be successful in. If you always look at bodybuilding as your only focus, good luck with relationships, a career of any kind (not just sitting on IG all day promoting yourself and "writing diet plans", and enjoying anything outside of all that consumes you.
I am not going to beat anyone up if they want to consume themselves with something, but I don't want to live that way. I prefer balance and having different interests and different components to the person that I am. At the same time, I do not feel that you will achieve any lower level of success in an endeavor simply because you don't let it consume you. You can be wildly successful at doing something while still maintaining some semblance of balance in your life. I know because I have seen it over and over not only with myself but with many other people in my 45 years on this earth.
That being said, I plan to finish my work for today and will feel a bit relieved that I managed to get so much done this week and look forward to not only being back at it pounding weights and progressing yet again on Monday but I might also be excited about breaking the rules yet again and getting a burger tonight with a buddy - you know - just for fun.
I hope you enjoy your weekend! I know I will!