For over a week now, I’ve been dealing with a minor shoulder injury. I’m not sure how I got it, but I think shovelling snow and wide grip chin-ups were a bad combination, and I’ve pinched a nerve. Mentally it has been tough because I can’t help but think that this would have been an injury that would have lingered for 3 days if I were in my 20’s, but it has bugged me now for over a week. This “I’m no spring chicken anymore” attitude isn’t great, but I can’t help but think it when even trying to put my coat on makes me feel old.
However, in previous years, this injury would have brought my workouts to a standstill. I would have taken a break from my routine. Instead, I’m sticking to my Healthy Living Goals. In this 2019 year-end post, is a tip that I shared which I’m sticking to. This tip is to ‘reduce friction’, and a key point is:
Don’t exercise at your maximum every day. Some days I push really hard, and some days I go at 75%. A day when you are feeling low, give yourself an effort break, but don’t give yourself a break from actually doing exercise.
I haven’t been able to get on the treadmill because the bouncing causes my shoulder to ache, so I’m getting on the exercise bike. While I love mountain biking, I’ve never loved riding on a stationary bike, and so this isn’t my favourite thing to do. Still, today will be my 8th time on the bike in 9 days. I’m not winning any speed records, I am getting my heart rate up, and getting my minimum 20 minute cardio workout in.
I’ve also stopped weights and chin-ups, but I still stretch and work on my core. My workouts are a bit shorter, but they haven’t stopped.
The simple fact is that an injury like this used to become a major roadblock to my regular routine. It used to break the pattern and I’d stop working out. Instead, I’ve looked at this as a minor speed bump. Yes, it has slowed me down. No, I’m not improving my strength and conditioning. I am maintaining my healthy living routines and my streaks (another important tip from my year-end post).
I’m also trying to stay positive and stop myself from experiencing the “I’m getting old” self-pity party, but it’s easier for me to go through the positive physical motions than the mental ones… And on that note, it’s almost 5:30am, time to meditate and then get in that exercise bike. Remember, we are going to hit speed bumps on our healthy living journey, and while we need to listen to our body and slow down, we don’t need to stop.
David…I can personally identify and relate to this. All I can add..I am still older than you…but regardless of our age, our bodies respond to repetitive exercise and effort. I’m living proof. Hoping you can get out riding more and more too…I love Calgary, but the couple of months that can be -25 make exercise hard and our 50 + bodies need more water and more warm up and down. Thanks again for this and…know that “Leelikes” warm Chinook winds along with all Calgarians.
I’m a fair-weather rider. +5 feels like freezing for me. I haven’t been on my mountain bike since early October and might not get on it again until late March… Bajan blood:)
My issue is that while I love riding, I hate the exercise bike. However I love the treadmill more than running outside. #WackyDavisms:)
I think I’ve had some sort of workout 26/30 days this month. I really am seeing this injury as just a speed bump.
Lee, I know the bumps you faced were significantly bigger… kudos to you for persevering and making those slow incremental improvements that cumulatively add up!