I’m back in the gym after extensive time away because of injuries and health, and my strength is returning rapidly. I consider that a victory!

I had to not go to the gym this week because my wife and I have had meetings with realestate agents and builders about our new house after work every day.

Why is this a fitness victory? Because I’m PISSED that I had to miss a whole week of workouts. Like providing for my family and not having my daughter grow up in a glorified shoebox is important and all but 2 years ago going to the gym was something I just didnt do, now I get annoyed if I cant.

Quit drinking and smoke cold turkey, started one of those ‘in 30 days’ apps, resubbed and dusted off the Peleton, bought a Fitbit to motivate me.

I’m just happy to not get winded after 30 seconds of minimal heavy lifting or cardio.

One day at a time.

I’ve been consistently going to the gym every other day for 3 months now, haven’t done that in about 5 years

I started resistance training three weeks ago, and it is the first time in my life that I look forward to my workout. I actually had a real training high last week from pushing close to my RIR 0.

January and February are usually the months where I can’t start shit because of the seasonal depression. But the hard work I do makes me feel better.

I am hopeful that I can change my health for the better for a long time, ideally for life.

Back on my bike for 10 miles at a shot, 13-14mph avg. With stops to do pullups 15-20 3 times per ride.

I’m 9 months out of knee surgery, so getting back to this point feels great.

I can do a one-legged squat :)))

Broke my foot running June 2022. Stress fracture. Doctors xrayed it in August and ultrasounded it in September and told me essentially that i was faking it. I still had to walk around on it all the time including 15 minutes of my commute to work.

They did a quick MRI in December 2022 and wow, actually it was broken!! Imagine that.

Since it was so fucked up from walking on it for 6 months with no support, they told me that it was finally healing and they couldn’t do much now. Finally was not painful enough to run in April 2023, but we bought a house and started a full strip and renovation.

I finally started running again with my dog after 1.5 years. Only a few times a week for a few km, but it feels good

I played 9 holes of golf tbis morning carrying my bag and then went and trained legs at the gym after

I’m a 5’0" 42F with a torn labrum in my right hip and I pulled 990lbs on the backward tank pull yesterday.

Just hit a couple of new PBs this week: 270 pounds on the bar squat, and 335 pounds on the deadlift. Pretty happy with myself

Benched 195 for 10 reps. Growing up, crossing the 200 lb bench was basically my peak achievement. Now, 2 kids and a job later, I’m repping the same weight like it’s no big deal

I was lifting using almost no rest between lifts - After every workout I felt good but exhausted and I wasn’t making any strength gains then I spoke with a trainer who suggested at least 60 seconds between lifts. After doing this I experienced strength increases then when I moved to 90 seconds between lifts I once again experienced strength increases. I thought with no rest I would develop muscle quickly like I did 30 years ago but that wasn’t the case at all.

I was doing this because I lost 50 pounds 2 years ago and through healthy eating, weight lifting, rucking and a good mental attitude I have been able to keep this weight off. I feel better than I have in years and I am much happier with rucking 4 days and week and lifting 3 days a week and enjoying the first 6 months of retirement. If interested you can see my story at - https://healthyretirementstrategies.blogspot.com/p/my-story.html - Using the menu selections and the links you can also view Exercise posts, Health Eating posts and Retirement related posts. - I hope you find this information helpful, interesting and funny.