Fitness Weekly Discussion

I'm working on rebuilding me in the face of constant, worsening pain and nerve damage that is only going to get worse as time progresses and middle age. I used to be a extreme sports guy. I did it all; free climbing, rappelling, white water, skydiving, blah blah blah - basically if I could seriously injure or kill myself doing it, chances are I was into it. I have many physical limitations (neurological damage and other stuff) so getting into shape like I once was, or even some semblance of what I once was, is a whole ass project.

So I'm starting from scratch. Yoga, FIIT, core work, weight lifting, cycling...even trying to rehab jogging/running.

Working around and with my physical limitations is where the creativity comes in I'd say. I've tried to patch it together here and there as things got worse over the years but now I feel like I have the tools (both mental and technological) at my disposal to just push through and get it done...and more importantly keep getting it done. Every single day I'm presented with a mental or physical limitation that I'm going to have to find a way around to bring myself to do the work and then push past and revel in the suck.

I use Apple Fitness and Apple Watch for a bunch of data gathering and progress tracking (as well as program/workout access) but also have data sensors on my bike, etc. I find that's gamified just enough to keep my ADHD/executive dysfunction at bay. Then there's the nerve damage, basically it's idiopathic small fiber nerve damage that is progressive so as time goes on it affects more and more of my body. It causes pain, vibrations and burning. Essentially small fiber nerves are the ones that tell your brain things are vibrating, hot, cold, or injured. It's quite a fucking thing.

But in those fleeting seconds, when I can tap into that pure state of physical exertion, if only for a moment, I can separate from my body and transcend it all.

So I do yoga daily just to get things energized and loosened up. To unstick the back, neck and shoulders from years of a previous life in IT work combined with all my self-harming hobbies. Then it's some selection of things depending on the pain of the day.

But I'm on a streak finally. I've found consistency and that's always key, but especially for me. Once I find the groove I can stay in it.

Also I have the greatest partner in the world. He's a trained massage therapist who's also a medical professional so I get as many massages as I could ever need/want and have someone who understands my needs. I break this body and he superglues me back together as best as anyone can. lol

Hope everyone is as well as they can be.

I started bouldering again at the gym after an injury the last time i went. Ive been rock climbing solo on the auto belays but some of the bouldering routes have been really enticing so ive been going for it.

I'm glad i did, its been really fun and surprisingly easy to meet new folks because its a communal wall and theres lots of strategizing approaches and appreciating people's victories after seeing them try the same route a dozen times. Everyone is much better at it than i but theyre still encouraging. My biggest problem has been remembering everyone's names to not be rude. Its an interesting gym experience that ive never had before.

So far, im down 18lbs since october. Still really enjoying MacroFactor. Weather is getting a bit rough to cycle to the gym though which may slow down progress.

It's been a pretty good week so far. The six day split is working the way I wanted. I generally feel well recovered and am able to progress my loading consistently.

Last week I felt a pop/crack in my back during my second warm up. Fortunately I think it was a minor strain, aside from some soreness which faded over a couple days I've been able to lift without any other pain. What it has emphasized is how my daily activity has changed since my last round of aggressive training. I used to walk hours a day, my friends were walking distance, our bars were walking distance, my office was walking distance, and my dog got hours of walking. Now I spend most of my day in a chair.

So I'm working on standing more while working as well as mixing in more lower back accessory work. Right now 45 degree hyperextensions seem like a perfect exercise to hammer away at my back. Feeling really optimistic that these changes will lead to results and better health.