So, as you might know, I'm rehabbing a back injury...that I'm not even 100% what it is. What I do know is, loading my spine is probably the absolute worst thing I could do right now...so I'm not. I've been back in the gym regularly for about 2ish weeks, just trying to get back in the groove. I really feel great, all things aside. This is going on week 5 of no spinal loading. I have to admit, I don't really have a plan as far as what I'm doing for my training, and I don't think I necessarily need to right now? I go in and pick from a handful of exercises that are okay for me to do right now (no spinal loading) and I do them, low weight, TONS of reps.
I know I'm losing strength, and I've been having to learn to be okay with that. I have to admit, it's not the easiest thing. I worked really hard to get to where I was, and now I feel like I've gotten so far off track, I have no idea how I will get back. I will though, in time. Just takes time. Speaking of time. I've spent all of this time, chipping away, getting closer and closer to my goal for what seems like SO long. Lol. I just laughed out loud, actually. 3 years. I've been competing for 3 years. I've realized over the past two months how important time is. Allowing yourself time to heal, time to grow as a person, time to get stronger. These things don't happen over night. I realized I really spend a lot of time focusing on where I SHOULD be or where I feel like I should be, maybe where I think others think I should be, society, whatever. Instead, I should just focus on where I am, and what I can do to get to where I want to be. But at the same time, understanding that it's okay if I don't get there tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Sometimes you just have to , be, for a while. And that's okay. I'm not saying to just merely exist and get by, I'm just saying, enjoy the ride. Enjoy the process. Things are ever changing, what's here today will be gone tomorrow. I focus SO much on planning and trying to figure out my life, instead of just living it.
So insightful for a Monday. Anyway. I trained yesterday with all my teammates, which actually made me super happy. I hardly ever train with them on Sundays. To be honest we don't even have to talk much, I just like being in their company. Something about being in the company of good people.
Yesterday went something like this:
Bench: 105x4x25
Chest Supported Rows: 4x20 @ 45lbs
Bodyweight Squats: 10 - slow, tight, and squeezing everything, really focusing on bracing
Split Squats: 2x20 each leg
Leg Press: 4x20 each leg w/ 45 lbs
AND THEN I TRIED A THING. Actually laughing at myself while I type this because I just went on and on about not loading my spine, but I'm a curious one and I just had to try. Bumper Plates on the bar (65lbs total) & I tried a conventional deadlift. I immediately felt pressure and some pain in my back, so I stopped.
Then, home girl tried it SUMO. Yes, sumo. And, viola, no pain. So I did it for 5 reps. Big stuff, I know. Maybe I'm onto something. Who knows.