I got really irritated this morning at the gym when a stranger said "no no no for god sake don't hurt yourself " and handed me 10 pound weights in place of my 17. 5s. I don't think he would've done it if I was a dude. But I also think he was genuinely trying to help. Is there a "right" way to correct a strangers form at the gym?

Deadlifts and I  struggle to get along.  Always.  

I did have a 13# PR in July...at 198#...and was overjoyed.   Hugs were even squished out to Jerimiah.   But it was months before I got even close again.  Partly it was just the way the programming block was built.  But then even at the end...it was still basically the ceiling.   Squeezing out 200# 5 months later gave me mixed feelings.  Yeah, it was more.  But the smallest amount.  And that was really all I had in me.   Was it that going to be it?  And if it was, then what!?
 
And then at the beginning of February I threw my back out...doing deadlifts, of course.  We were doing reps (and reps, and reps) and the fatigue was building and I lost form.  It was pretty bad.   Tears.  Doctor.  Meds.  Physio.   
 
So I didn't train for a bit, and then did but ensured NO stress to back.  I missed squats but didn't miss deadlifts one bit.  I felt like they had met me down.  Or I had let me down.  
 
Well, we started up again, and I screwed up my optimism and told myself to just do the work and trust the process.   It was hard.  It was a few sessions of back to basics and changing things up.  I was all awkward AND had low numbers and didn't have the excuse that I was a #newb.  But I kept at it ....with a slightly wavering faith that it would build up to...something different.  
 
And it did.  A 5# PR at 205#....With maybe a bit left in the tank.  Evidence!   Finally a little translation into the actual lift.  

Let's be honest:  even at twice the increase in the previous 5 months, its a tiny increase.  But it's the encouragement I needed to remind me that trusting the process is not about blind faith, but rather about relying on what you know and who you trust ...and sticking it out.  
 
I'm elated about the result, but even more so by this little gift of the encouraging reminder that progress comes ....as long as you keep at it.   

My back is better, but glutes are beyond sore.  Like frozen boulders and some movements seem to put that stress back in the lower back.  Squat depth sucks although it gets better and better feeling as I do more.   But right back to crap again each AM.   Physio this weekend did nothing, so I think a massage is in order.  Will try to book one for this week as this is seriously killing my buzz.   

I was on a charge in January, and really enjoying it. Until...(wait for it...) a less than perfect deadlift. Thankfully, it's not an injury per se. But my lower back went into spasm and has been very very painful, tight and at times totally immobilized at the bottom.

2 massages helped. Then an attempted row made it even worse. DOCTOR! Muscle relaxant, anti inflammatories and Advil. And physio therapy. I have had some pain-free moments but 8 hours on my back tighten it up quick so I think it will be a bit before I am back in good shape.

Sadness...

I have been feeling  off since the 12th.  Not totally horrible, just not well.   Quite a few headaches.  More tired.    I feel great until around mid-day, and then like deaths warmer cousin.  It's likely 'just' fatigue.

But I can't seem to shake it, and a week of going to bed at 8 PM hasn't fixed it, so I am taking a 1/2 day sick day and going to bed.   I am hoping that 3-4 hours of sleep this afternoon and another early night, will fill the energy-bank enough to kick-to-the-curb whatever it is that's getting me under the weather. 

So-so feels at the gym today. I thought we were testing, but we are still working up. Kept missing on depth on the squats. Despite being heavy, it felt good. Just not deep enough.

And failed out at bench. But it was at 115# so I suppose as we get closer to the top, I'm more likely to crap out. I'll try to remember how I felt HERE, and that this is my week of putting it all out it there.

I have traveled quite a bit lately.  Just domestic, but still away from home, away from my honey, away from the cats.

My shoulder is killing me: not sure if it's the strange beds (hotels, so not like strange, but.... strange).  Or carrying a 800 pound back pack. :)

Going to go home tonight. Day off tomorrow and celebrate with Garth his birthday.  And another day off for me Thursday....and I'll go lift. (yay!).  And then get a massage.  All on the shoulder.  :)

... is exactly like this past week.  :)

No drama or anything.  It's been a bit busy.   A bit of extra travel.   A bit of a chest cold.    I also stopped food tracking, because I felt a bit of pressure stacking up.  So I turned on the compassion.   At least I hope it's that and not me slacking. 

I still went to the gym; I figured that while I might have an excuse to be able to do a bit less..... I had no excuse to do less than I was able. 

Last night it was SCREAMING. So at least pain vs PAIN is progress.  It was almost out of nowhere, although I was reminded (pain does that) of the same (lighter) feeling a few weeks back on benching. 

So what happened last night was....I tried to push off 35# dumbbell for benching, and ...nope.  Didn't break off the chest at all.   And it hurt a bit.  So I went down to 25# (which should be easy), and.... yep, I got it up, but it hurt ALOT.  I stopped.

And then I could not raise my arm.

Uh-oh.