Strength Training with Parralletes and Gymnastic Progressions

Bradley, the sports massage therapist, challenged me to set some goals, paste up a vision board and send a text message with my commitments that I talked about during our session. I sent the text message with a commitment to work out with an exercise ball, write a journal, read scriptures, walk, make a vision board and swim.

I started a vision board, cutting out pictures that represent an activity or achievement from some magazines I had around the house. This has already brought up some strong emotions; fears, doubts, anger and tears. Some of the dreams seem unreachable and I feel like why bother?!

I have a set of parralletes that I built a few years ago out in my living room again. I am taking up a workout regimen promoted by Coach Sommers and his training for gymnasts. I liked the program because it enables me to strengthen without adding a lot of weight. The program has hold positions in what are called gymnastic progressions. You start out with a simple pose, say holding yourself in a tuck position for a minute. If you can't do a minute, then do it for 10 seconds and then rest and then do it again 3 times. The workouts are short, requiring less than 30 minutes.

I started out with a frog stand until I could hold it for a full minute and then started the tuck planche which is holding your kness on your elbows. It is a little more difficult because of leverage. More of the body weight is displaced and each progression requires a little more effort to complete.

My first round, I was able to hold for 10 seconds. The next day, I was able to hold for 20 seconds. The third day I plateaued being able to barely replicate what I could before. I can really feel the muscles in my abdomen and back being pulled and stressed. It is a good burn.

Started Barefoot Run with Surprising Benefits

I started barefoot running a few days ago. I started with the intent to discover if I can run or not. My concerns are with a compression fracture on lumbar 1 and 2 in my spine that were crushed by a tumor a year ago. I have been in therapy 3 times a week with a chiropractor and 2 times a week with a sports massage therapist, deep tissue massage.

I ran on the grassy fringe around the track at Carterville Park. Each loop is about 1/3 of a mile. As I ran I noticed less back pain, it felt good to feel the smooth strokes of the grass on my feet. My feet seemed eager to continue each step and besides my breath coming in ragged heaves, I think I did well. I watched carefully for any signs of pain or discomfort but I remained fairly comfortable. I went out the next day and ran again and my lungs had opened up quite a bit and didn't feel as winded. On the next day, I ran 2 laps around the track and didn't go for the third because I wanted to use some caution, not press my luck too much yet.

Fixing a Broken Back to Run Again

I've been having a rough two years. First it was cancer, a large tumor mass formed in the retroperitoneal space in my back and protruded into my abdomen. Then I was rear ended while waiting at a stop light before turning right. I've been getting regular massage therapy treatments twice a week from Bradley Clarke at Sports Massage Specialist (435) 760-2103.

I have received massage treatments before to help recover from over training at Lifetime Fitness gym. Deep tissue massage is not pleasant, it hurts. The benefits from it though, make it worth it. Bradley started the massage treatments with a simple goal, Let's get things back in balance. Stripping muscles felt like he had applied a hot poker. I was genuinely surprised when he released the pressure that the pain dissipated like a drop of water evaporating off a hot griddle. He worked the muscles along the spine with essential oils. I am also getting adjustments with Dr. Gunther at Hansen Hansen Chiropractor to align the spine. After two months of treatment, my back is feeling better and I notice small indications that the tumor is receding.

I learned first hand the impact that diet has on athletic performance. How food gives different results. It makes a difference in not only maintaining proper weight and muscle mass but in staying healthy and keeping degenerative disease at bay.