These last few months have been a significant challenge. I’m dealing with both leg issues and tendonitis in my elbow. These situations have placed a hold on my routine of weight training—and I am less than happy about it.
While I have been engaged in physical therapy for my leg issues, I haven’t done much else. Pain has a prominent voice. It acts as a block to not only enjoying my previous routine but also dampens my desire to be active.
After over a month of physical therapy, my legs are a bit better. My elbow thing is sometimes fine and sometimes terrible, but I realize that I cannot continue in this mode. I must reboot and resume my previous level of activity.
This morning, I woke up resolving to reinvigorate and reimagine a plan to get back to my routine. It began with an email to my trainer, explaining my challenge.
I have a bench and a set of adjustable dumbbells, along with a collection of resistance bands, a stability ball and a balance board; all at my disposal. I also have a calendar in which to plan out my workouts as if it were an appointment.
Momentum killers like these injuries and setbacks require a significant amount of energy to restart. While I have been “active” at PT, the all-important hour-long strength training has ground to a halt. My father’s voice reverberates in my brain, quoting Newton’s law of motion: “An object at rest remains at rest.”
Certain things are facts, such as the need to continually fight the ravages of aging with activities that support bones and joints, balance, the ability to get on and off the floor (voluntarily) and live independently and vigorously.
While I acknowledge that stuff happens and progress might be impeded by circumstances, I also must strongly plant a flag that I need to shift my activities and reboot my activities.
As my old friend, Mike (a local political activist) used to say, “Have a plan-work a plan.”
It’s time to develop and work my plan back to a routine that brings health, energy and renewed vigor.
What do you do when faced with a challenge?
