What pushes you?

knot_enough
knot_enough Posts: 176 Member
in Motivation and Support
I lost 30 lbs is a slow but effective process by watching how much I eat and a fairly rigorous training program. I was really enjoying myself until I started getting pain in my left shoulder in June. So I went to the doctor and as it turns out it's tendonitis/shoulder impingement. Being that its typically caused by overuse of your arms in an overhead position, I had to cease that type of activity.
A majority of my workout was revolved around the Olympic lifts, snatches and clean and jerks. I would do that 3 times a week. In addition to that I did Crossfit style workouts at a non-affiliated gym. So having to stop doing these things which made up a majority of my workout week while I rehab my shoulder, I basically only run and do squats.

Now my legs are in great shape but one can only do just these things for so long. It's been 2 months. I'm starting to let go of what I eat because I was eating to maintain or build muscle. What's the point if I can't even exercise my upper body? Progress was always my main motivator but now that I don't see any, I think I'm losing my motivation to keep at it.

What pushes you to want to keep going, even if you can't?

Replies

  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    my motivation is always progress. if its not the motivation to achieve forward progress, its the motivation to not progress backwards. ive worked too hard in the past 8 months to let it all go
  • askeates
    askeates Posts: 1,490 Member
    That is a really tough one that I can sympathize with! I have severe back issues.... and when I start feeling better working out and losing weight that totally keeps my momentum going, but when I hit a wall and hurt myself (which I tend to do way too easily) it gets me really down. The only thing that really keeps me going at that point is knowing the reason I'm doing all this work is to be around for my children and to feel better.
  • accelerashawn
    accelerashawn Posts: 470 Member
    Yep...progress. Also the beach trip in August. I wanted to be able to see at least 1 ab before the beach because I don't plan on wearing a shirt the entire time I'm there. Did that last year at 220lb and the year before at 235lb...but this year i dont want to look tubby.

    After that the motivation will be the continued progress. I think i've got the diet/exercise thing down now so the weight is doing what its supposed to. I look forward to building my body into what I want it to be.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I hear you...I pulled my groin muscle in Nov of last year...

    No squats, DL or rows...it hurt a lot...physio rehab and taking it slow brought me back...

    But in the mean time I just did what I could....knowing that it would get better and I would be back to normal...but I made sure it was "normal" and not heavier and more out of shape...no way no how.
  • WandaMM1
    WandaMM1 Posts: 132 Member
    I had the same shoulder issue. Mine was caused by over-use and/or improper stretching. I had a couple of weeks of 'no exercise' and then had weekly physical therapy (PT) appointments. It look a few months and some boring PT exercises, but it worked. Now I am back to lifting without pain or any type of limitation. If you haven't been offered PT, seek it out. Also, add variety to your lifting routine - when you can return to lifting. My personal trainer changes things up for me regularly. This not only helps protect your joints from 'over-use' it also will help work the same muscles but in a different way - and keep it more interesting.
  • knot_enough
    knot_enough Posts: 176 Member
    I had the same shoulder issue. Mine was caused by over-use and/or improper stretching. I had a couple of weeks of 'no exercise' and then had weekly physical therapy (PT) appointments. It look a few months and some boring PT exercises, but it worked. Now I am back to lifting without pain or any type of limitation. If you haven't been offered PT, seek it out. Also, add variety to your lifting routine - when you can return to lifting. My personal trainer changes things up for me regularly. This not only helps protect your joints from 'over-use' it also will help work the same muscles but in a different way - and keep it more interesting.

    Right. I've been in PT since June. It is getting better which is great but I'm itching for that life. I had to stop right when I was hitting PR's!
  • thatjosiegirl
    thatjosiegirl Posts: 362 Member
    I had the same issue with Achilles tendinitis in my heel. I wasn't able to run or jump or do anything that was considered weight bearing for 4 weeks.

    It was stressful and depressing at first and then I decided to change up my routine. I took up other activities that wouldn't aggravate my condition and decided to challenge myself to find something new each day that I could do.

    Don't give up or let it get to you, use it as an opportunity to explore other activities.
  • sculli123
    sculli123 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Several things....

    - I'm in the miltary so I need to stay in shape to be employed.

    - Habit, I've been doing this for almost 30 years.

    - Ego / competitiveness, I still like to beat the younger guys.

    - Goal setting, I set goals several times a year and work towards achiving those goals. When I say goal, this usually includes registering for an actual event and competing at something (mud run two weeks ago, powerlifting competition last week, Spartan Race this weekend).

    As for injuries, I try to train to fix them when appropriate. Or in the case of my current chest injury (hurt chest in recent competition), work around it while it heals.
  • janatarnhem
    janatarnhem Posts: 669 Member
    My OH is in a similar state to you, think it is AC joint / impingement! Old Rugby league injury.........
    The pain keeps flaring up. Each time he goes to the GP and has taken pain medication....codeine and volterol for a few months to help it settle down and then has to return to the GP and ends with a steroid injection in the shoulder, which then makes the pain worse for a day or two....then he is pain free for a while. Usually, a good few months.
    This time, he has pushed his GP for a referral to a specialist. he has undergone an ultrasound and is awaiting an operation that has an 80% chance of success. 20% chance of failure, but critically, to him, is that the surgeon has said it will not make it worse, if it doesn't work.
    Hope the pain eases with rest and time, but I feel for you, I can see how painful it is for my OH!

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