Where do I start?  So I'm not invincible after all? Pain sucks, setbacks suck and I feel like I'm living a nightmare all over again. I had back surgery 9 years ago, the pain I suffered for three years prior to that is back with vengeance.

I'm in a back rehab program right now just trying to get rid of the pain, nothing more. This is more than just doing the McGill Big 3 exercises. This is learning how to take care of my back better. Learning  how to pickup my shoes, how to brush my teeth, how to walk, how to sit. Learning better posture, basically better back health and instil habits that I will continue for the rest of my life and share with others.

You see, back pain is not just from injuries. It from an accumulation of shitty posture, bending incorrectly, twisting, laying and all the other things Professor Stu McGill talks about in his book, "Back Mechanic". I highly recommend everyone read it. Everyone live by it because back pain sucks.

The pain I'm experiencing now is from two bulging discs with nerve impingements and that nerve pain going down my leg is no joke. Pain is depressing, dehabilitating and leaves one hopeless at times.

For now I'm trying my best to remain positive but like the title of my blog says, I'm full of emotions this week. The biggest one is anger. I'm angry at myself for being so stupid and careless with my back. I could have prevented this I have no doubt in my mind.

What's done is done, onward and upward and daily this is my routine for now.

"The McGill Big 3" The Non-Negotiable Exercises"

THE CURL UP

THE SIDE PLANK

BIRD DOGS

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RING PULL UPS

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PUSHUPS ON BENCH

WALKING ON TREADMILL

This is my daily protocol. Each days amount depends on my pain levels. I increased when I can and stop when it hurts.

There in a nutshell is my life as it today. I'm still teaching my Kettlebell classes but having my students demo for me. I'm still helping out our Powerlifting team, just no lifting or loading plates.

I'm a modified version of me right now. How much I can lift does not define who I am. How I can overcome yet another setback, another adversity will define who I am and how strong I actually am.

I have an MRI scheduled for March 5th to get a clearer picture of what's all wrong with my back as I have more than one or two issues at the moment.

#setbackssuck #painsucks #thebig3