Back injury update

It's been a while since I last updated my blog. Not for the lack of effort but my internet connection's screwed. Something wrong with the modem. Need to check it. Sigh. I'm your typical Malaysian. I hate doing maintenance work. Pbthhh...

Anyway, my back's getting better. But the tightness is still there. Still laying off the weights for now. Just bodyweight stuff. And I must say I'm enjoying doing something different after about half a year of strictly weight training.

I believe having injury is no excuse for you not to exercise. So your back hurts. You can do other stuff. I don't think doing pushups would aggravate a back injury. And in my case, it appears that doing pushups, planks, chinups, bodyweight rows and even bodyweight squats (squats with PROPER FORM: hips pushed back) have made my back feel much better.

On another note, I'm thinking of trying out sled dragging. Don't have a prowler. But I read somewhere where the guy said that you can use a tyre as a substitute. I can find a tyre. I can look for a rope.

But... kind of segan to drag a tyre at the neighbourhood park all alone. Anyone care to try it out with me. What say you, Adeline and Ash?

Back from Bangkok

Finally back from Bangkok and as much as I enjoyed the trip, I really miss home. Also, I couldn't wait to incorporate what I've learnt from the classes I've attended.

The Asia Fitness Convention was interesting. Most of the people in attendance have something to do with the fitness industry and quite a significant number of delegates are trainers. It was pretty intimidating being amongst them.. me, a 'civilian' in the midst of trainers.

But most of the people I meet are nice (and very strong and agile).

Of the many classes I've attended , the one that hits home is the talk given by Fraser Quelch from Fitness Anywhere (the guys that made TRX).

He said that the reason why a lot of people gave up exercising was it wasn't fun. Yes, there are the rare few who actually enjoy lifting weights and doing kettlebell snatches but a lot of people find it intimidating.

The best way to make people keep coming back for more is by making exercise fun.

It could be something as simple as throwing a frisbee in a park. It may not be a total body workout. But at least you're getting some sweat out and that's better than munching on potato chips in front of the idiot box.

It's better to start small than not to start at all.

Another class that I find interesting was the one given by Peter Twist. He said that while weight training is great, it doesn't help someone with agility. Let's face it, with weight training you're only limited to a certain range of movements when our body has the potential to do so much more.

And so, my take home from Bangkok is this:-

I am going to maintain my weight training sessions. BUT for now I'm going to limit it to 2 days per week while another 2 days I'm gonna do more bodyweight workouts to help on my agility and stamina (which has gone kaput of late). Or perhaps I'll replace one of the days for bodyweight training by simply exercising at the park. Take a walk. Do some sprints. Something that has nothing to do with any type of bells (e.g. barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell).

Besides, I tweaked my lower back deadlifting. So gonna stay away from those deadlifts until my back is as good as new.

Off Week

Perfect timing for an off week from any kind of training. Been training 8 weeks straight. And the off week falls during the Hari Raya period. Can't get better than that.

After the Hari Raya hols, I'll be off to Bangkok for Fit Thai's Fitness Convention. Can't wait!

Shock! Horror!

I discovered that I can't take cow's milk as it aggravates my eczema. No wonder my eczema has gotten worse since the day I started ramping up on my protein intake. No eggs either, I reckon. To put it simply I am to stay away from any kind of dairy products. Tough. I love dairy stuff.

I can't drink cow's milk.

I can't eat eggs.

No other dairy stuff either.

No shellfish.

Possibly no soy either.

I can deal with that to be honest. At least fish is still on the menu. But not being able to drink cow's milk and take dairy stuff means that i can't take my protein shake!

Or can I?

Note to Self

Note to Self:
Progressive improvement. Work harder. No excuses.

I was at DM's Body Transformation Camp

Finally, after many failed attempts I have made it to DM's Body Transformation Camp. This is the second time DM and Coach Herny have conducted a free trial week for the camp. It's still not too late to join them. If you'd like to give it a go, you can do so by clicking this link.

Anyway, I finally met my blog-o-buddy Adeline, Coach Herny and 0f course DM (whom I've not met up with for quite some time). I had fun doing all the workouts although I do feel laboured doing them. It has been sometime since I did this kind of workouts. Usually I just hit the weights which is just as taxing, but I guess my body has adapted to that kind of training (that is my excuse lah, at least. Hehehehhe... Won't make fasting as an excuse as other people were fasting too and that didn't stop them, did it?)

I can't quite remember what the workout entailed. There were Y squats, walking Y lunges, burpees, spiderman crawls, jumping jacks, 1 leg deadlifts... classic Turbulence Training, I reckon. And oh yeah, I did an embarrassing 50 half pushups on the pushup challenge. But in my defense, I maintained proper form throughout. And to me, that's more important (lame excuse again... pbtthhhhhh).

I'd definitely recommend the camp to anyone who wants to maintain their general health and fitness and of course to those who are seeking for fat-loss the NATURAL way. It's the best and PERMANENT way to lose the flab and what's more, it doesn't cost a bomb or have nasty side effects. Plus, you make new friends. Cool, huh?

So if you're interested on the free trial, head on over here. Trust me, it's worth it.