Posts Tagged ‘injury’

Update

Written by Zack on August 8th, 2010

Well I haven’t posted for quite some time, really nothing interesting about rehab, but now I’m transitioning from rehab to regular working out.    I am currently 18 weeks post surgery and everything seems to be coming along well.  Josh and I took some time off the last 2 weeks in July and we have come back full force.  My arm isn’t bothering me on anything except bicep curls, and I’m also cautious with back exercises, I would put myself at about 75-80%.  One thing that got me excited was a 315×6 bench this week.  After hitting that I’ve decided that I should be able to do the Omaha Open in November in some capacity.

On a slightly dumber note -

Josh is 10 weeks out from his bodybuilding show and I can tell it’s wearing on him.  He so close and yet so far away and he would give anything for it to be over with so he could get back to normal.  So in support of him I’ve started growing my beard (It makes no sense, does it?)  I told him that I would go with out trimming or shaving the beard for the remaining 10 weeks.  That way I can be as miserable as him? I’m not sure?

No Comments
Tags: , , ,

6 Weeks Post Op

Written by Zack on May 12th, 2010

Well, today is 6 weeks post surgery.  I had recently stopped wearing my brace and I seem to have all my mobility back and that’s good.  I’m still a ways off from being back to 100% in the gym.  Right now I enjoy leg and shoulder workouts, but chest, arm and back are still a real challenge for me to get anything out of.  My cardio has been steadily improving, a nice mix of stair mill, treadmill and outdoor stairs and running.  I’m also down 15#s to 270 and that is mainly due to a good diet.

After I had my injury I knew that if I wanted to maintain my muscle through this recovery process I would need to improve my diet.  My diet throughout the years has been less than stellar.  I’ve always been focused more on the task of lifting heavy as possible and eating anything that would give me the energy to do that – but now that I can’t currently do that, I’ve been come more focused on my dieting.  I have no desire to become a food scientist, but I’m learning more about trans fat, fat calories, and ingredients of real and fake foods.  I’m hoping to maintain my current diet through recovery and eventually modify it through a bulking faze this winter .

No Comments
Tags: , ,

Still Attached

Written by Zack on April 20th, 2010

Well, today is April 20th and that is exactly one month since my bicep tendon tear and almost 3 weeks since my surgery.  I’ve been taking things slow in the gym.  I figure my body needs a break and I don’t want to rush things with this arm.  Today was nice because I was actually able to do some shoulder and pec movements on my left side, so I’m making progress.  As far as my arm goes – it’s still attached and hopefully I’ll be using it more in the weeks to come.           

In the mean time I’ve clamped down on the diet and have been doing cardio at least 3 times a week.  I’m dropping weight at a decent rate, but I want to hold on to my muscle so I’m trying to eat a ton of protein.

No Comments
Tags: , ,

A bend in the road

Written by Zack on April 4th, 2010

A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.
– Author Unknown

There are so many quotes and cliches when it comes to adversity, but this was one that I felt fit me.  A bend in the road…meaning that my journey has taken a detour, but I will still reach my final destination. 

Well, I had my surgery Wednesday and everything went well.  The doctors reattached my tendon and placed me in a cast.  I’m excited that the worst is over and now I’m starting to heal.  Josh and I started going back to the gym on Saturday, and it was great to get back!  I’m not doing anything too extreme, but I am working out the best way I can with one arm.  I will continue to do that until I’m released to do more.  I’m not rushing anything…Not only do I want to comeback – I want to comback STRONGER!

No Comments
Tags: ,

Zack’s 100% RAW Follow Up

Written by Zack on March 29th, 2010

I don’t know where to start with my recap…it was quite a day.

I guess I’ll start with I felt very good going into this contest.  I had my diet spot on, and I dropped from 283 3 weeks out to right at 275 the day before the contest.  Josh and I had gone to the gym 3 times that week just to stay loose and limber.  I noticed at the beginning of the week I had a slight cold, but I wasn’t worried about it, but instead of getting better it got worse!  The night before the meet I slept about 3 hours and felt horrible, but I’m not the type of guy that cares much for excuses so I knew I would just have to fight through it.

Squats – I felt really shakey starting out with a 573, but I got it easy. Next was 606 and then I finished with 628! A huge 23# PR for me.

Bench – I had very low energy after a long break.  I opened with 440, then got 463 for my second.  Staying with our program I went for something I’d never attempted  – 479.  It went down good and I got it 6 inches off my chest, but I couldn’t lock it out…I should have had it! – My only miss of the meet.

Deadlift – After bench I did some eating and I had more energy for deadlift. As a matter of fact – I felt great! and Strong!  I changed my opener from 595 to 606 – smoked it.  Next was 633 – I struggled a bit with it.  Last lift of the meet and I was going for 650! I was amped up and I wanted this lift bad!  I went up to the bar, grabbed, pulled, and got to my sticking point when I could feel my arm tearing.  I knew that I was hurt and that it was too late to put the bar down so I struggled through and got the lift!  A big PR for me!

So in the end I had my best meet ever.  I won best lifter for the 3rd year in a row, hit 2 PRs and increased my ELITE total.  BUT – the tearing I felt on the deadlift was bicep tendon.  It is 80% ruptured and now I’m preparing for surgery and recovery.





No Comments
Tags: , , , , ,