I've been dealing with an injury. I have issues with my hips and knees because of alignment problems, and for the past six weeks or so it's really flared up. After trying to be a tough guy, I finally talked with my coach about it, and we changed up my training. The pain was so bad towards the end that I couldn't get my feet "set" to squat and couldn't push my hips back into a squat. I love training legs, and squatting is a staple in leg day. I knew when it got to that point, something had to give. I'm currently seeing a chiropractor, and doing some intense stretching and SMR (foam rolling). None of it is pleasant, but I anticipate I'll be squatting heavy weights again in no time.
The protocol I'm using is called blood flow restriction (BFR) or occlusion training. It is hands-down the most painful thing I've ever attempted in the gym. If you're interested in learning more about BFR, you can read Layne's article here. In the meantime, let me give you a little walk-through in the form of pictures. These are from my workout Friday. Don't mind the goldfish on the floor or the toys in the background. I'm a stay home mom who gets a workout in whether or not Kenna is sleeping. Sometimes, that means goldfish and toys while I'm doing my thing! In pushing past my own perceptions of pain thresholds, I learned a little something about life, and remembered why I came to love training in the first place.
 |
| BEFORE |
 |
| After the first set |
 |
| After the second set |
 |
| After the final set |
If you know anything about weight lifting and the "pump", you know this was PAINFUL. If I'm completely honest with you, I wanted to quit so badly halfway through the first set that I was speaking Scriptures out loud to finish. I rested between sets and loosened the wraps, and every part of my body (but especially my thighs) was screaming, "Just rip the wraps off and go inside!". But...I didn't. I tightened those wraps back up and went back to work, forcing more blood into the already-full, already-screaming muscles. I rested again, resisted the urge the cry like a baby, and finished with a final set. I didn't die like I thought I might, and I'll be better in the long run because I had the discipline and courage to push through and finish.
I was reflecting on this later as I laid in my living room floor, wondering how I would accomplish all I had left to do that afternoon on legs that worked about as well as the legs of a newborn giraffe. A lot of times, life is exactly like my training session was that day. I knew after the first set that I was about to not only create some incredible pain, but also endure incredible pain. I also knew that if I desired to a better form of Felicia at some point in the future, I had to push through the pain and discomfort. I couldn't give in to emotions and quit. I couldn't rip the wraps off, throw my hands up, and say, "I'm done." Not if I wanted to be a better form of me, anyway.
Life is like that, too. Everyday we face situations that are uncomfortable or painful. We can choose to take a deep breath, brace ourselves, and face the discomfort head-on, or we can throw our hands up and walk away. I've discovered in my life that God shapes me and grows me most in times of discomfort. In James, it is written "Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trials and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12 AMP). Paul writes many times in the NT of enduring hardships. Those circumstances are used to shape us and teach us about life. If I want to be a better form of me emotionally and spiritually - if I choose to MATURE in life - I'm going to have to choose to endure the trials and the pain.
Friday's gym session reminded me of why I found myself in love with lifting years ago: it reminds me of just how strong I am, both physically and emotionally. Discovering my physical strength began a journey of discovering my inner strength, and I have been surprised at the depths of both. In recent years, it has reminded me of just how much I must lean on Jesus to carry me through a trying time. I needed Jesus Friday. I needed to remember that even when I think I can't, even when I'm nearly sure I can't, I can through Jesus Christ in ALL THINGS. I needed that reminder in the gym, and I needed that reminder in life. I'll be sharing more on that later this week.
Until then...
TRAIN HARD - LIFT HEAVY - FUEL YOUR BODY - FEED YOUR FAITH
F
No comments:
Post a Comment