My twenty week journey back to perfect health - ' THE SUPER CHALLENGE'

Week 4 Day 7

What's going on in my head?

I want to deviate slightly from the norm today because I want to include communication from Carlos which is very important to therapeutic recovery. Critical in fact.


Dougal,

I read somewhere that you are pleased with your progress.
So right about now, what does that look like?

Just for reference I was wondering what your weights were
pre-surgery for the basic movements, with the exception
of squats.

If you could supply me with this information it would be helpful
to demonstrate to the readers where you were, and where you
are at the present.

This is so I have some idea when we have come to full function.
At which time there will probably be a need for an update.
Returning to full function would be sort of like Graduation
Day. Arrival.

What comes to mind is a few of my patients who were
sent to me from a local psychologist. I ask them at some
point in their therapy, "So when is Graduation Day",
Without any variation they all look at me with a blank
stare, like what the heck are you talking about?

You see they will never know if they never ask!
And they don't know to ask!
Because almost always when we become involved
in Psycho Therapy, and most other services where
we get paid for what we do, you almost NEVER hear
talk of a "Finish Line".

"When can you function on your own?" When will
you be able to apply to real life what you have learned?.
When does theory become practice?

They don't know. They don't know because they
have not been taught.

"And by the way, Mr. Jones once you are able to
process thought you will have arrived in a place where
you will be released from therapy
because at the point you will have outgrown the need
for our initial intervention and even possibly continued
sessions, it is at this point we would like you to
return only as needed rather than the 3 appointments
per week at $150. per 50 minute hour".

The above statement will never occur in the office
of a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and some Chiropractors.
Actually the Chiropractors are getting better.

(This has been my experience)

Any way its important for anyone in therapy to know
when they have completed their Therapeutic Model,
and have entered into their next phase, and there should
Always be a next phase.
Thanks.

Regards,
Carlos

So to answer the question posed by Carlos here are the weight differences.

all in kg (x 2.2 for lbs) The number indicate my weights at the start (my return to the gym), what they are now, and pre accident. Pse excuse the lousy formatting. I set it out properly and it defaults back what you see on the screen.

Leg ext 15 40 60

Leg curls 10 30 50

Calf raises (seated) 10 40 80

db Pullovers 8 20 30

Bench bar 60 100

Seated rows 15 50 80

laterals 4 8 15

bent over rows bar 30 50

dips bodyweight) 3 10

curls 5 12 22

tricep push downs 20 50 85

hyper ext b/wt 10

shrugs 15 40 70

So on average it would seem that I've gone from pretty much a zero base to, on average about 50-60% strength in about 5 weeks. I'm pretty happy with that. Carlos, what do you think?

I'm suffering no ill effects from the training physiologically wise and I obviously feel a whole lot stronger.

Mentally, I feel...well absolutely normal....I actually can't imagine feeling any different. I'm in no pain and the training certainly is putting no pressure on my neck.

Emotionally, I am HAPPY, on a daily basis. That is because I train my mind every day day as well as my body. I repeat positive affirmations daily to crowd garbage out of my head. I am learning to be aware of everything that goes on in my head, I speak to and thank God every day for AN ABUNDANCE of everything I need. I am also very happy and grateful for everything I have and for everything I am. I am a giver of words and stuff, I am surrounded by wonderful people and relationships, and the big thing is...IT DIDN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT. I have created my life exactly the way I want it. This is not hard to do it just takes practice. MENTAL PRACTICE and I think we should be training our minds even more than our bodies.

EXCELLENCE comes off the TOP SHELF and you get there by standing on a stack of good books that you have just read. The only thing worse than not reading excellent books is thinking that it doesn't matter.