Update on everything

I know it’s been quiet on the blog front, and I apologize for that (been busy planning the wedding and all), so here’s a quick rundown of where I’m currently at:


Hip rehab: When I started doing modified squats and deadlifts I started having back/core issues. My core muscles were going all kinds of out of whack with the reintroduction of these compound lifts. I soon realized that I was doing too much weight. I mean, my legs were strong enough to squat 155, but if I wanted to do it properly with a tight core throughout I needed to lighten the weight and really focus on the core/technique. It’s humbling squatting 125#, but when I switched to lighter weight all of my back/core issues went away. Hopefully I can start increasing the weight here AND have good core technique. It’s all rust and hopefully it will come back quickly. 


 I’ve now been given the green light to start working on speed work. So now I can focus on speed during the concentric portion of the movement, while I still have to be slow on the eccentric portion. Still nothing like working on explosive power like the Oly lifts, but progress is progress. I’m now doing front squats, mainly just working on form. Everything I’m doing is now three sets of ten reps, so now I’m front squatting a whopping 65 pounds. My form is very rusty, when I start to hit depth I can feel my lower back wanting to round out, do the butt wink. However with weight this light I’m able to shut that down and keep the spine stable. I’ve got a long road ahead of me here. 

Status of the hip: I very rarely experience pain now, but I still feel something off in the inguinal canal area. It’s very vague, hard to pin down (typical) but part of that vagueness is that it’s very faint, not like the pain that I was experiencing a year ago. Prolotherapy seems to have really helped me out. I can do so many more things now that don’t make my hip click, my ROM has greatly improved. However, there are still some motions that are guaranteed to cause my hip to click. One thing I have noticed is raising right knee to my chest and towards my left shoulder will definitely cause a click/clunk. If I rotate my knee outwards it doesn’t happen. …I don’t know if this is significant but I plan on letting Dr. Hauser know when I go to visit him in about two weeks. I am still seeing improvements, I just need to figure out when I should just let it be and move on. I still have a dream where my hip doesn’t click at all, but perhaps if I’m no longer in pain that won’t be necessary? I guess my fear is if I leave the labrum partially healed it will re-tear if I go back to Oly lifting/crossfit.

My best so far.

Status of six pack: My other dream, a dream I’ve had since a kid, seems to be closer and closer to reality. I know I still have a ways to go, but this is closer then I have ever been to seeing my abs. Since I started cutting my intake I’ve also gone a more low-carb route. However, I seem to look better the day after I have some sort of cheat snack or meal (ie, sugar). So I’m trying out raising my carb intake and seeing what happens. …It just so happens that with the wedding this week family is starting to show up and with them are all kinds of crap that I don’t normally eat. As I’m typing this I’m questioning the wisdom in having some chips that were left out in the kitchen. My stomach has been very unhappy with me lately, and this all stems from deviating from what I normally eat. I like to think that I have a strong will, but when I’m surrounded by people who are eating pizza it can be hard not to indulge in a slice. Thankfully I will be able to go back to my routine soon.

I know a lot of women dream of looking perfect on their wedding day, and as a dude I haven’t really ever given it much thought until like a month ago, but I am really, really happy with the way I look. Honestly I think this is the best I’ve ever looked, so I’m glad that it will be well-documented through the many, many photographs that will be taken. I am very happy I have found a way to make this work despite my inability to crossfit. As long as you do some type of strength training and keep a great diet it is possible.

Status of shoulder/neck/back: Every time I go to visit my chiropractor she notices some combination of my c6-c7 are out of place. This joint instability, according to Dr. Hauser, is the cause for my discomfort. Hanging from a bar has been tremendously helpful. I used to wake up , foam roll, and then stretch. However, I found this left me with all kinds of discomfort that would last throughout the day. Now I stretch first, and after my a burst of searing pain for about five seconds my shoulder seems to fix itself and then I’m no longer in pain. I wonder if the stretching is just a Band-Aid, and that I should continue with the prolotherapy to stabilize my c6/c7. Obviously something I will just have to figure out. …I might wait this one out until next year starts so I can use my FSA again (tapped that out a while back).

Personal Update: I can’t believe that I’m getting married in a couple of days! I have been very lucky to meet such a wonderful girl as my fiancée, and even more lucky that she loves me back.