Not Camaro related but more of a rant!

jcampos · 04-06-2016, 04:06 PM

Not really Camaro related but I feel I need to vent a little. I have been an avid fitness geek for a while now however, I am no fitness guru but I love keeping up with things that are good for the body. So, today I went to the gym with a few guys from work and had leg day. We usually go to the gym 4-5 times a week for roughly an hour to an hour and a half, we get solid workouts in. However, this past week I’ve been feeling tightness in my lower back and I kind of ignored it. Big mistake! While doing squats during a warm up when I felt a jolt of pain suddenly occur in my lumbar region of my back. I racked the weight and walked it off and waited a few minutes then hopped back to it. Going down with a warm up set again, I really hurt this time so I racked the weights and decided to continue with a different workout, I was heated at this time angry as all hell with my failure. Again, big mistake I went for deadlifts, now before I get bashing over this controversial lift I have been doing ‘deads for roughly 6 years is perfecting my form. So, I complete a single warm-up and was out my back was done for I could barely walk and bend over much less tying my shoes was next to impossible.
Now fast forward 3-4 hours, my back pain is so discomforting I cannot tolerate sitting any longer. I am pretty sure I reinjured myself today because of my stupid ego, I refused to give up during my workout so I pressed through and now I am paying the price. I do not accept defeat easily and I have always been the one to tolerate pain extremely well ever since I was a toddler. But this injury has me going insane haha! I can walk and move around normally, just in slower motion meaning no quick movements.
A little back story, when I was 17/18 years old I suffered from a football injury I got hit in my lower back and developed a herniated disc and stenosis. I went to treatment for that next year getting steroid lumbar shots, which by the way are not exactly comfortable. I am allergic to a sedative; Versed I found out the hard way during a session of shots. The doctor said I had developed degenerative disc disease but I was not completely doomed for failure and in fact stated many people live with it. It is just a matter of overcoming the drawbacks that go with it is what he said and I would need to really improve my core and back strength if I wanted to live pain free. So, for the next couple years that is exactly what I did and developed a very solid front and back, pain and symptom free. Until now… I am so upset with myself that I let my ego get the best of me. I am afraid that my job performance may suffer and all the hard work I had put into “curing” myself has been flushed down the toilet. I am going to take a break from the weight room and relax for some much needed downtime. I will wait a week or so and if the pain does not subside then I fear I may need shots or surgery. I was pain and issue free for nearly 7 years, until today.
Sorry for the rant, I am just upset with myself and my failure to maintaining a painless and healthy lifestyle.
So, does anyone else have a story to share about a weight lifting accident that has happened to them?

blake-b · 04-06-2016, 04:51 PM

If lifting weights was a female, I'd have left her long ago.

-I've broken my right olecranon process doing triceps extensions (required two surgeries)
-herniated L5-S1 doing dead lifts
-torn both pecs, one of them twice
-countless strains and joint aches over the years

My biggest "thing" was thinking I had to be in the gym all the time, almost daily. Now I lift three days and week and am doing great. Sometimes I might only lift 1-2 times a week. I actually don't think in terms of "week" anymore. I think in terms of workout order.

E.G: My week starts with a squat workout, second workout is bench press. Third is deadlift, fourth is overhead press. The "week" (since I'm lifting at most three sessions a week) will take me into the next calendar week. When I have completed those four sessions, whether it takes a week and a half or two weeks, I will repeat them with variation of weights and reps.

It took me years to accept I won't get any weaker by doing that and a lot of the time, your body needs the rest. Mentally, it will fuel your desire. Now that I lift less, I have more free time to enjoy life.

You'll have good workouts, you'll have great workouts, you'll have crappy workouts. You'll have workouts where you get hurt. Most of your workouts will fall into the average category though.

A deadlift isn't controversial at all. I still do them and will continue to do them as long as I can get my hands around a barbell. There are some people whose physical characteristics make certain exercises not as good (maybe even dangerous) for them as others. I cannot do an upright row or my shoulders will hate me for days. I just don't do them. If I cared or felt my life was lacking from their absence, I'd experiment with hand spacing and might be able to do them but I simply don't care. People with a Type 3 acromion process probably shouldn't do overhead pressing because of the lack of space in their compared to a type 1 (I have a type 1. Yay for me). But there are always exceptions to the rule.

If the pain persists, go see a doctor. Enjoy the time off and find something else you enjoy to occupy your time. I don't know how old you are, but when your time comes, I bet you won't be thinking "I wish I had spent more time in the weight room" when your family is gathered around. You'll be thinking "I wish I had spent more time with my loved ones."

jrhagen · 04-06-2016, 06:28 PM

I do really well with 12 oz reducing arm curls, 5 or 6 sets several times a week.

motorhead · 04-06-2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhagen

I do really well with 12 oz reducing arm curls, 5 or 6 sets several times a week.

hrpiii · 04-07-2016, 06:59 AM

Your story tells more of lack of experience with your body, than working out. When you body has pain, it's a reason. When it hurts, it's a reason. To be bull-headed and trying to push through that shows more lack of knowledge of your body and what it's telling you than just your ego.

I've been lifting 26-27 years now. If I am in the gym and I go "ouch", I stop. I asses the issue and decide on stopping and letting my body heal. Best example, I was benching 435 lbs. 3 weeks ago and felt the pec tear a little. Feels like little rubber bands breaking apart. I racked the weight, knew that pain was not good. Went home, put ice on it. It bruised all up and ugly for a week, but I have not tried to press any weight since then. It will take about 6-8 weeks to heal before I attempt any pressing again. I know how long it takes my body to heal, how long tears like that take to heal and being smart enough not to "just try it now" attitude. I love working out in the gym, but I also know letting myself heal is more important. Injuries are going to happen, it's how you recover that determines how soon you return.

Be smart in the gym.

jcampos · 04-07-2016, 02:22 PM

I appreciate everything, I take all the advice as constructive criticism! Perhaps I though I knew my body, but after reassessment I have a lot to learn. Ive been in the gym/lifting for 10 years now. I am 26. I thought I knew a lot but judging by what hrpiii said I believe he is right. I obviously need to be more in tune with my body than what I thought I was.

Today, my back doesn't feel so bad. It hurts to the extent of feeling more like a ligament/muscle strain/tear than a spinal/neur/nerve injury. I plan on taking off from the gym no more back and leg workouts for now. Perhaps I will use this time to improve on other things! Thanks guys!

hrpiii · 04-07-2016, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcampos

I appreciate everything, I take all the advice as constructive criticism! Perhaps I though I knew my body, but after reassessment I have a lot to learn. Ive been in the gym/lifting for 10 years now. I am 26. I thought I knew a lot but judging by what hrpiii said I believe he is right. I obviously need to be more in tune with my body than what I thought I was.

Today, my back doesn't feel so bad. It hurts to the extent of feeling more like a ligament/muscle strain/tear than a spinal/neur/nerve injury. I plan on taking off from the gym no more back and leg workouts for now. Perhaps I will use this time to improve on other things! Thanks guys!

now is time to get that 50" chest.. bench baby bench.

sherob · 04-07-2016, 02:37 PM

I have had 2 back surgeries, and fusion(L5/S1)... I have DDD... have done the injections, RF nerve burns, you name it, done it before the hardware and fusion.

You can strengthen all you want... but it takes time, don't rush. You need to listen to what your body is saying as you workout, as hrpii said. All it takes is one oops to really damage yourself.

800mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours for swelling/pain... TENS unit if you have one.

Mydivorcegift · 04-07-2016, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcampos

So, does anyone else have a story to share about a weight lifting accident that has happened to them?[/SIZE]

Was doing straight bar tricep extensions on the bench with 185lbs.....

Dropped it on my forehead

Like hrpiii said listen to your body and remember lifting and a healthy lifestyle is a marathon not a sprint.

04-06-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
jcampos Drives: 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 821	Not Camaro related but more of a rant! Not really Camaro related but I feel I need to vent a little. I have been an avid fitness geek for a while now however, I am no fitness guru but I love keeping up with things that are good for the body. So, today I went to the gym with a few guys from work and had leg day. We usually go to the gym 4-5 times a week for roughly an hour to an hour and a half, we get solid workouts in. However, this past week I’ve been feeling tightness in my lower back and I kind of ignored it. Big mistake! While doing squats during a warm up when I felt a jolt of pain suddenly occur in my lumbar region of my back. I racked the weight and walked it off and waited a few minutes then hopped back to it. Going down with a warm up set again, I really hurt this time so I racked the weights and decided to continue with a different workout, I was heated at this time angry as all hell with my failure. Again, big mistake I went for deadlifts, now before I get bashing over this controversial lift I have been doing ‘deads for roughly 6 years is perfecting my form. So, I complete a single warm-up and was out my back was done for I could barely walk and bend over much less tying my shoes was next to impossible. Now fast forward 3-4 hours, my back pain is so discomforting I cannot tolerate sitting any longer. I am pretty sure I reinjured myself today because of my stupid ego, I refused to give up during my workout so I pressed through and now I am paying the price. I do not accept defeat easily and I have always been the one to tolerate pain extremely well ever since I was a toddler. But this injury has me going insane haha! I can walk and move around normally, just in slower motion meaning no quick movements. A little back story, when I was 17/18 years old I suffered from a football injury I got hit in my lower back and developed a herniated disc and stenosis. I went to treatment for that next year getting steroid lumbar shots, which by the way are not exactly comfortable. I am allergic to a sedative; Versed I found out the hard way during a session of shots. The doctor said I had developed degenerative disc disease but I was not completely doomed for failure and in fact stated many people live with it. It is just a matter of overcoming the drawbacks that go with it is what he said and I would need to really improve my core and back strength if I wanted to live pain free. So, for the next couple years that is exactly what I did and developed a very solid front and back, pain and symptom free. Until now… I am so upset with myself that I let my ego get the best of me. I am afraid that my job performance may suffer and all the hard work I had put into “curing” myself has been flushed down the toilet. I am going to take a break from the weight room and relax for some much needed downtime. I will wait a week or so and if the pain does not subside then I fear I may need shots or surgery. I was pain and issue free for nearly 7 years, until today. Sorry for the rant, I am just upset with myself and my failure to maintaining a painless and healthy lifestyle. So, does anyone else have a story to share about a weight lifting accident that has happened to them?

04-07-2016, 02:37 PM	#8
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	I have had 2 back surgeries, and fusion(L5/S1)... I have DDD... have done the injections, RF nerve burns, you name it, done it before the hardware and fusion. You can strengthen all you want... but it takes time, don't rush. You need to listen to what your body is saying as you workout, as hrpii said. All it takes is one oops to really damage yourself. 800mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours for swelling/pain... TENS unit if you have one. __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

04-06-2016, 04:51 PM	#2
blake-b Drives: 2009 ZR1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,205	If lifting weights was a female, I'd have left her long ago. -I've broken my right olecranon process doing triceps extensions (required two surgeries) -herniated L5-S1 doing dead lifts -torn both pecs, one of them twice -countless strains and joint aches over the years My biggest "thing" was thinking I had to be in the gym all the time, almost daily. Now I lift three days and week and am doing great. Sometimes I might only lift 1-2 times a week. I actually don't think in terms of "week" anymore. I think in terms of workout order. E.G: My week starts with a squat workout, second workout is bench press. Third is deadlift, fourth is overhead press. The "week" (since I'm lifting at most three sessions a week) will take me into the next calendar week. When I have completed those four sessions, whether it takes a week and a half or two weeks, I will repeat them with variation of weights and reps. It took me years to accept I won't get any weaker by doing that and a lot of the time, your body needs the rest. Mentally, it will fuel your desire. Now that I lift less, I have more free time to enjoy life. You'll have good workouts, you'll have great workouts, you'll have crappy workouts. You'll have workouts where you get hurt. Most of your workouts will fall into the average category though. A deadlift isn't controversial at all. I still do them and will continue to do them as long as I can get my hands around a barbell. There are some people whose physical characteristics make certain exercises not as good (maybe even dangerous) for them as others. I cannot do an upright row or my shoulders will hate me for days. I just don't do them. If I cared or felt my life was lacking from their absence, I'd experiment with hand spacing and might be able to do them but I simply don't care. People with a Type 3 acromion process probably shouldn't do overhead pressing because of the lack of space in their compared to a type 1 (I have a type 1. Yay for me). But there are always exceptions to the rule. If the pain persists, go see a doctor. Enjoy the time off and find something else you enjoy to occupy your time. I don't know how old you are, but when your time comes, I bet you won't be thinking "I wish I had spent more time in the weight room" when your family is gathered around. You'll be thinking "I wish I had spent more time with my loved ones."

04-06-2016, 06:28 PM	#3
jrhagen Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 2,701	I do really well with 12 oz reducing arm curls, 5 or 6 sets several times a week.

04-07-2016, 06:59 AM	#5
hrpiii AKA "Beefcake" Drives: 2023 ZL1 Sharkskin Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 8,576	Your story tells more of lack of experience with your body, than working out. When you body has pain, it's a reason. When it hurts, it's a reason. To be bull-headed and trying to push through that shows more lack of knowledge of your body and what it's telling you than just your ego. I've been lifting 26-27 years now. If I am in the gym and I go "ouch", I stop. I asses the issue and decide on stopping and letting my body heal. Best example, I was benching 435 lbs. 3 weeks ago and felt the pec tear a little. Feels like little rubber bands breaking apart. I racked the weight, knew that pain was not good. Went home, put ice on it. It bruised all up and ugly for a week, but I have not tried to press any weight since then. It will take about 6-8 weeks to heal before I attempt any pressing again. I know how long it takes my body to heal, how long tears like that take to heal and being smart enough not to "just try it now" attitude. I love working out in the gym, but I also know letting myself heal is more important. Injuries are going to happen, it's how you recover that determines how soon you return. Be smart in the gym.

04-07-2016, 02:22 PM	#6
jcampos Drives: 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 821	I appreciate everything, I take all the advice as constructive criticism! Perhaps I though I knew my body, but after reassessment I have a lot to learn. Ive been in the gym/lifting for 10 years now. I am 26. I thought I knew a lot but judging by what hrpiii said I believe he is right. I obviously need to be more in tune with my body than what I thought I was. Today, my back doesn't feel so bad. It hurts to the extent of feeling more like a ligament/muscle strain/tear than a spinal/neur/nerve injury. I plan on taking off from the gym no more back and leg workouts for now. Perhaps I will use this time to improve on other things! Thanks guys!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password