Had a good... a very good day yesterday! Even though my weigh in says I am up 1 whole pound from the previous week before.
So what made yesterday so good? I'll tell you. It's because I had not one but two great workouts yesterday! I started my day with a solid 45 minute bike ride. Felt real good, no back pain issues, good pace, pouring sweat, just what I needed! Beyond the physical benefits of riding the bike this particular ride was mentally cleansing in a way. That post riding "glow" of satisfaction when you get off the bike and know that you've done something really good for yourself..... I was really missing that.
After my morning ride and shower and breakfast I went to work. Feeling good from my morning workout I had a nice little spring in my step, was very productive and the best part : I had no issues with my back! I didn't even think about it for most of the day as opposed to a few weeks ago being aware 24/7 and moving differently/slowly/carefully all the time. Great news!
So after work I went home, took a nap. When I woke up still feeling good I went to the gym and lifted weights for my chest and back. I was being careful not to put my back in a bad position where it was unsupported but I also didn't go easy on myself. I lifted heavy weights and pushed hard. Each time I did a set of weights and got through it pain free I was getting more and more mentally pumped. At some point I had to reign myself in because my inner maniac started to show up. That voice that in my head that says " You are an unstoppable machine.... Let's do so more weight..... Let's do some MORE WEIGHT.... MORE! HARDER! GRRRRRR!
I had to tell the maniac to shut up. I kind of felt like Bruce Banner fighting not to lose control and turn into the incredible hulk. My eyes started to turn green but I kept the beast at bay. But I'm not going to hold him back for long. I'm going to unleash that beast soon and when i do people better get out of his path of destruction. The maniac is hungry and frothing at the mouth, pacing back and forth like a caged animal just waiting for his opportunity. Driven, motivated, he will stop at nothing. He cant be reasoned with, he doesnt feel pity, remorse or pain.
For now he is locked up in my minds cage but I've got the key in the lock and I'm about to fucking turn it!
MMM (Maniacaly Massive Marcus)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
On the mends
Hello everyone
I feel like I am getting stronger by the day! I think the only thing that is holding me back from cranking the intensity level up on a workout is the fear of re-injury from doing too much too soon. The doc says I can do whatever I can handle pain wise except for contact sports. In reality there really is no more pain, just a faint soreness. My doctor seems overly impressed with my progress and just tells me to keep moving.
I am so lucky to feel the way I do right now. I'm not 100% but I feel close to 90%!
I've started to ride the bike with a little more gusto lately! In this short hiatus from working out I can tell I've lost some of my stamina that I worked so hard to build up. I just can't go as hard for as long, but I'm sure that will change soon enough as I keep at it. I think back to March and I could only ride the bike for a whopping 5 minutes. Today I'm disappointed to stop at 30 minutes.
My new goal is to get back to that 60 minute, calorie furnace, unstoppable calorie terminating biking machine workout level!
I have been taking it pretty easy lately. Spent 5 days at a friends cottage way way up north in the wild! Cards, drinks, friends, campfires, swimming in a lake, multiple daily naps,....... Does it get any better than that? The one problem is all that food and drink when you are trying to lose weight. Oh well, I was on vacation.
There is some kind of connection between working out and eating healthy. It seemed very easy to turn down unhealthy choices when I had put forth so much effort at physical exercise, but once I stopped working out they seemed harder to resist.
Really don't know what to expect on this Mondays weigh in which will be a two week weigh in. Physically activity and nutrition was not where it should be. Probably will see a gain, just how much is the question.
I've decided that I will rest up this weekend as much as possible because on Monday I'm going to flip this weight loss switch back into the "on" position. On Monday I unleash the beast within. On Monday I'm going to be driven, intense and unstoppable!
Get primal people!
MM
I feel like I am getting stronger by the day! I think the only thing that is holding me back from cranking the intensity level up on a workout is the fear of re-injury from doing too much too soon. The doc says I can do whatever I can handle pain wise except for contact sports. In reality there really is no more pain, just a faint soreness. My doctor seems overly impressed with my progress and just tells me to keep moving.
I am so lucky to feel the way I do right now. I'm not 100% but I feel close to 90%!
I've started to ride the bike with a little more gusto lately! In this short hiatus from working out I can tell I've lost some of my stamina that I worked so hard to build up. I just can't go as hard for as long, but I'm sure that will change soon enough as I keep at it. I think back to March and I could only ride the bike for a whopping 5 minutes. Today I'm disappointed to stop at 30 minutes.
My new goal is to get back to that 60 minute, calorie furnace, unstoppable calorie terminating biking machine workout level!
I have been taking it pretty easy lately. Spent 5 days at a friends cottage way way up north in the wild! Cards, drinks, friends, campfires, swimming in a lake, multiple daily naps,....... Does it get any better than that? The one problem is all that food and drink when you are trying to lose weight. Oh well, I was on vacation.
There is some kind of connection between working out and eating healthy. It seemed very easy to turn down unhealthy choices when I had put forth so much effort at physical exercise, but once I stopped working out they seemed harder to resist.
Really don't know what to expect on this Mondays weigh in which will be a two week weigh in. Physically activity and nutrition was not where it should be. Probably will see a gain, just how much is the question.
I've decided that I will rest up this weekend as much as possible because on Monday I'm going to flip this weight loss switch back into the "on" position. On Monday I unleash the beast within. On Monday I'm going to be driven, intense and unstoppable!
Get primal people!
MM
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Where is Marcus
In case any one is wondering why I haven't been posting. ...... It because I'm on vacation!
Spent some time at a friends cottage without any access to the outside world. Just the kind of unwinding, relaxing time I needed.
Back to work tomorrow.
Details to follow.... Now I need some rest.
MM
Spent some time at a friends cottage without any access to the outside world. Just the kind of unwinding, relaxing time I needed.
Back to work tomorrow.
Details to follow.... Now I need some rest.
MM
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Nothing
Thats the difference in my weight from last week to this week.
Whew.. It's nice to at least stop the bleeding.
I have been back to work for 2 days now. Yesterday I was so tired when I was done I couldn't keep my eyes open, today is the same. I have gotten through the work days with a little discomfort but my back is totally getting better, I can feel that it is.
The Doc has me back to work with a note saying that I am on a trial, if I experience trouble performing my duties he will mandate more rest for me. After these first 2 days I'm sure I should be fine to stay working.
I just got to get through this week and then Ill have three days off with a long weekend to rest.
I am dying to workout with more intensity, but I'm just not there yet.
Keep pushing on
MM
Whew.. It's nice to at least stop the bleeding.
I have been back to work for 2 days now. Yesterday I was so tired when I was done I couldn't keep my eyes open, today is the same. I have gotten through the work days with a little discomfort but my back is totally getting better, I can feel that it is.
The Doc has me back to work with a note saying that I am on a trial, if I experience trouble performing my duties he will mandate more rest for me. After these first 2 days I'm sure I should be fine to stay working.
I just got to get through this week and then Ill have three days off with a long weekend to rest.
I am dying to workout with more intensity, but I'm just not there yet.
Keep pushing on
MM
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Getting back into the Swing of things
I played golf for the first time today since the car accident. I started out pretty bad. I'm swinging a lot easier and slower then pre accident so my tempo and timing were a little off.
My first shot went about 20 feet and never got off the ground, the second shot did the same thing. Not a good start but my back was holding up and I was just glad to be outside with some good friends. I ended up with a quadruple bogey on the par 4 1st hole. YIKES!
However, I made it up for it with back to back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes! Now that felt really good and lifted my spirits way up! Both holes I played beautifully. I finished the front 9 with a 40 ( 5 over par ) 2 birdies, 3 pars , 3 bogeys and a quadruple bogey.
On a couple of shots, when I tried to swing a little harder, I got a little reminder of my back pain, but it wasn't crippling and disappeared as quickly as it came.
When I got done the 9 holes I felt like I could go and play the back nine as well but I talked myself into quitting at that point. I don't want to push to hard.
So I live to play another day!
MM
My first shot went about 20 feet and never got off the ground, the second shot did the same thing. Not a good start but my back was holding up and I was just glad to be outside with some good friends. I ended up with a quadruple bogey on the par 4 1st hole. YIKES!
However, I made it up for it with back to back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes! Now that felt really good and lifted my spirits way up! Both holes I played beautifully. I finished the front 9 with a 40 ( 5 over par ) 2 birdies, 3 pars , 3 bogeys and a quadruple bogey.
On a couple of shots, when I tried to swing a little harder, I got a little reminder of my back pain, but it wasn't crippling and disappeared as quickly as it came.
When I got done the 9 holes I felt like I could go and play the back nine as well but I talked myself into quitting at that point. I don't want to push to hard.
So I live to play another day!
MM
Baby Steps
It's one small step for man, one MASSIVE leap for Marcus.... All right that doesn't make any sense but not much has recently.
So my back pain continues to persist but its slowly getting duller and isn't an every waking moment nightmare that it was previously... THANK YOU LORD!. I was wondering if maybe I was just getting used to the pain but no, it is definitely lessening. It's happening at a snails crawl but it is getting better.
Today I rode my bike for about 25 minutes with a little discomfort but it wasn't terrible. Nice to be back in the saddle and break a sweat for sure. It was just a very relaxed pace but pedaling is pedaling is pedaling and thats better than laying on the couch and looking at the stationary bike and feeling sad.
I've started going to the gym again too. Not lifting any free weights but just using some of the machines that support my back. It seems to be helping with my overall recovery. I'm glad I have this membership now because I have access to all this helpful stuff.
My latest visit to the doctor this afternoon went well. He is impressed with my progress and actually told me that I should play golf! WHAT??? I had to do a double take on that one. He says he wants me to keep moving it and the golf swing is a good way to do it. He cautioned me not to swing hard, to just be smooth and relaxed, and if there is any sharp pains to stop. Soooooo guess what I'm doing tomorrow! GOLFING! Actually I'm kind of scared as to what will happen. I pulled out a couple of clubs and took some easy practice swings in the back yard, maybe 10 swings total, I had no problems or discomfort while swinging, but my back did feel like it was starting to tighten up a bit afterwards. Most likely I think it's because I'm using muscles that I haven't used in a while. So tomorrow I'm just going to take it real easy, maybe just 9 holes or less.
I'll be going back to work on Monday! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to work again. Work puts me on a schedule which will help me get a routine going again.
I'll let you guys know how the back holds up during this golfing experiment.
Keep swinging people!
MM
So my back pain continues to persist but its slowly getting duller and isn't an every waking moment nightmare that it was previously... THANK YOU LORD!. I was wondering if maybe I was just getting used to the pain but no, it is definitely lessening. It's happening at a snails crawl but it is getting better.
Today I rode my bike for about 25 minutes with a little discomfort but it wasn't terrible. Nice to be back in the saddle and break a sweat for sure. It was just a very relaxed pace but pedaling is pedaling is pedaling and thats better than laying on the couch and looking at the stationary bike and feeling sad.
I've started going to the gym again too. Not lifting any free weights but just using some of the machines that support my back. It seems to be helping with my overall recovery. I'm glad I have this membership now because I have access to all this helpful stuff.
My latest visit to the doctor this afternoon went well. He is impressed with my progress and actually told me that I should play golf! WHAT??? I had to do a double take on that one. He says he wants me to keep moving it and the golf swing is a good way to do it. He cautioned me not to swing hard, to just be smooth and relaxed, and if there is any sharp pains to stop. Soooooo guess what I'm doing tomorrow! GOLFING! Actually I'm kind of scared as to what will happen. I pulled out a couple of clubs and took some easy practice swings in the back yard, maybe 10 swings total, I had no problems or discomfort while swinging, but my back did feel like it was starting to tighten up a bit afterwards. Most likely I think it's because I'm using muscles that I haven't used in a while. So tomorrow I'm just going to take it real easy, maybe just 9 holes or less.
I'll be going back to work on Monday! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to work again. Work puts me on a schedule which will help me get a routine going again.
I'll let you guys know how the back holds up during this golfing experiment.
Keep swinging people!
MM
Monday, July 19, 2010
Going the wrong way
That's what the scale is doing... Going the wrong way....
I've gained weight in back to back weeks now. What can I do? I'm sure most of it is just water but it's killing me to see these numbers going up instead of down. I am up 4 more pounds this week. Since hurting my back I've gained 7 pounds over the last 2 weigh ins.
Now for some good news. When I woke up Sunday morning my back didn't hurt at all! I have had pain 24/7 until this moment. I lay there in my bed cautiously optimistic, slowly I slid out of bed and stood up.... No pain! I walked around the house in complete amazement, walked up and down the stairs.... No pain! My happiness was matched by my confusion, how could this be?
I didn't push my luck and try anything crazy, I was just happy to be able to move without pain. After about an hour the pain slowly crept back until my back felt just as bad as it did yesterday. While it sucks that the pain didn't stay away I am so happy for one big reason. Because the pain went away for a short time I now know that my injury is getting better and that there is a good possibility of a future without a back pain issue. That is something that has bothered me a lot over the last couple of weeks, thinking that I might have to live with the pain indefinitely.
For now I'm just hoping to feel that blissful freedom again tomorrow morning.
MM
I've gained weight in back to back weeks now. What can I do? I'm sure most of it is just water but it's killing me to see these numbers going up instead of down. I am up 4 more pounds this week. Since hurting my back I've gained 7 pounds over the last 2 weigh ins.
Now for some good news. When I woke up Sunday morning my back didn't hurt at all! I have had pain 24/7 until this moment. I lay there in my bed cautiously optimistic, slowly I slid out of bed and stood up.... No pain! I walked around the house in complete amazement, walked up and down the stairs.... No pain! My happiness was matched by my confusion, how could this be?
I didn't push my luck and try anything crazy, I was just happy to be able to move without pain. After about an hour the pain slowly crept back until my back felt just as bad as it did yesterday. While it sucks that the pain didn't stay away I am so happy for one big reason. Because the pain went away for a short time I now know that my injury is getting better and that there is a good possibility of a future without a back pain issue. That is something that has bothered me a lot over the last couple of weeks, thinking that I might have to live with the pain indefinitely.
For now I'm just hoping to feel that blissful freedom again tomorrow morning.
MM
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