ENTRY NINE: February 1, 2014

I was really excited to get started on week six. I’ve been progressing along well and now it’s time to finally get into the strength stuff. I also knew I had my rescheduled post-op check in with Dr. Torpey so I was looking forward to hearing his feedback on progress.

He had me put my arms in several positions, lifting it overhead, to the sides, and reaching behind my back. I’m still not to 100% ROM, but everyday does continue to improve. He let me know that the six sutures I had was a lot, and reiterated that fact that my muscular strength really masked the injury’s symptoms before I got the surgery. I was basically lifting and lifting and paddling and paddling, just making things worse without even really feeling it. Kinda crazy. All in all, he feels I’ve made good progress and wants to see me again in four weeks which will be in early March.

Some good news is that I’m also officially able to do some “light” jogging and shorter runs now which is great considering how stir crazy I’ve been. (even though I’m not a huge fan of running.)

I continue to live in my bedroom, stretching daily, and whenever I can, going through all the usual motions. However, this week I did experience a few setbacks. With starting to strength-train I noticed my arm “catching” more often and getting into some kind of spasms. For example, on Tuesday I added very light internal and externals with resistance bands, 2 sets of 15 repetitions each. I’ve also started doing neutral grip lateral raises with 3 lb. dumbbells, and very light machine rows. The internal and externals felt fine, however the lateral raises created some clicking and popping, and the rows took a little while to get used to. The next day in the office my arm froze up on me three times where I had to do hanging arm circles or “pendulums” for a couple minutes. It’s been slightly frustrating, especially considering how many projects have been going on a work on top of not being able to really train. Some days are pretty crazy, I’ll be up at 7AM, work until 7-8PM, I’ll stretch, sometimes even pass out for a couple hours, then up working and then stretching again in the middle of the night, sleeping a few hours then repeat. Not ideal for healing, shit, not ideal for general wellbeing, but I’m a man on a mission and I’m pushing through everyday on all fronts. Gunning for record traffic numbers on MensFitness.com in January, redesigning the website, building Super Bowl coverage, Olympic coverage, launching a Yoga hub, coordinating workout challenge videos, coordinating a major summer transformation program, preparing one of our brand ambassadors for the Ultimate Athlete Games, and preparing for a relaunch of HUMANFITPROJECT.com on the sneak-tip. Wooooooo, that’s a lot. I’ve officially dubbed myself, Sweatpant Man.

This spring and summer I’m going to be bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter. Until next week…

ENTRY EIGHT: January 25, 2014

Nothing entirely too eventful happened in week 5 except for continued improvements in my range of motion centimeter by centimeter. I’ve seen some great progress lifting my arm overhead and to the sides both on it’s own and assisted with a golf club, PV pipe or using the wall, however, there’s still a lot of work to go. I’ve basically been going to work, hitting up therapy or going into my room to do all the exercises I need to do. Weekends have basically been the same thing, living in my bedroom, working on Men’s Fitness and HUMANFITPROJECT material, then doing my exercises.

This week the shoulder has been a bit more sore than usual, me and the therapist both agree it’s most likely from being aggressive with the exercises and the ridiculously abnormal cold temperatures don’t help much. I was also scheduled for my 2nd post-op checkup with the surgeon, however, a snowstorm cancelled that. I’ll have an update on that in week 6.

But, I did find out two additional pieces of good news. The first is that this approaching week (6) I’ll be transitioning again out of phase two which was the active assisted range of motion work and will begin very light strengthening. I’ll always continue to work on my range of motion, however, now we’re can start focusing on getting me stronger. The other news is that a new US-based equipment company, HAVYK is going to be sending me several of the their products once I can get even more aggressive in the strength building process. The first product I’ll be receiving is the HAVYKsliders, they basically look like small “dolly’s” for your hands. Under normal circumstances I would use these for advanced versions of pushups and planks for upper body and core strength, but for me, initially I’m going to use these to stretch forward and perform a variety of lightly range of motion movements. MMA legend Bas Rutten even used them to rehab his shoulder. The next will be the HAVYKbar, but I’ll dive into that as I’m further along down the line.

All in all, another positive week, strength training is in sights, range of motion continues to improve, and support is on it’s way.

ENTRY SEVEN: January 18, 2014

Week four was another great one. My first therapy session of the week I was officially allowed to no longer use my sling. It seemed as though by week 2-3 I didn’t really need it much, but week 4 really was the clincher. It’s funny, some people in the office don’t even remember I got it done. Either way, pretty awesome feeling to not have to struggle with putting that thing on before and after work over my heavy winter jacket, then walk around with it all day. Good riddance, sling. Week four has also been the start of active-assisted range of motion exercises. Now instead of my therapist moving my arm and shoulder herself, I do a number of different exercises myself to help regain my ranges again. On my first day of therapy I went through a series of 5 or 6 exercises, 1 set with 10 repetitions with 10 second holds. I was also instructed to perform these exercises twice per day on my own. I’d typically do a few movements in the morning before work, a couple movements at the office, then a full routine when I’m home at night. By the second day of therapy that week there was a huge difference in what I was able to do, and how much less painful it was when really pushing the limits a bit. After my second session at therapy I also was given two additional exercises to add to the routine, one is/was a towel stretch behind the back, which has been very challenging, and uncomfortable. The other is to stretch across the body which also has been tough.

All in all, week four has been another positive one. I’m still incredibly hungry and eager to get back to my normal training. I’m told I have three weeks of active-assisted, then when finally move into “strength”. So two more weeks remain of active-assisted. I’m hopeful to have full range of motion by January 31st while also be able to begin running again. And at that point my labrum should be fully reattached to the glenoid. January 21st is my second post-op follow up with my surgeon so we’ll have an update on that in week 5.

ENTRY SIX: January 11, 2014

It might only be week 3 out of a long process, but I continue to see improves every single day. It’s less and less pain and more and more mobility. I’ve been removing the sling a bit more often to feel like a human being, but I’m still very careful. Rehab has been a bit slow, I’m still in the passive range of motion phase where my therapist Sheela stretches me out herself without me doing anything. The great news is that next week I begin active-assisted range of motion. That means I’ll be moving my arm on my own with some assistance such as a swiss ball, pulleys, and wheels. As simple and back-to-basics as it is, it’s really got me motivated. Everyday I’m positive.

This past week a few other things have been going on. I ended up logging back onto Bodybuilding.com and reordered a number of the different supplements I ordered pre-operation to assist with the recovery process, and believe it or not, the mental state. Some call it the placebo effect, but there certainly is something to be said about having a good routine, waking up, taking your supplements, etc. I think it’s almost like you’re subconsciously reassuring yourself that you love yourself, and that you’re a believer, a dreamer, and strive to make things happen. So I ordered my Elasti-joint, Cissus, Glutamine, Fiber and Branch Chain Aminos and have been religiously taking them along with my multi-v’s, fish oil, and regular protein supplementation.

In terms of my physique and body, I found out I dropped about 10 pounds since the operation, pretty wild. I know I’ve been keeping my diet clean, possibly even eating less (especially peanut butter) so that can contribute to it. I feel and see muscle mass atrophying and my abs fading a bit, but I’m not freaking out, I know I’ll get it back quick.

I also started to look back at some of the things I’ve been documenting along the way and I’m excited to roll it out. Surgery is no easy task, especially one that takes you out of the things you love and live for. My life revolves around my bodyboarding and being in the gym. Missing a season in the water and not being able to train completely sucks, but what makes things great, is that I’m hungrier than ever. I can’t wait to have some serious fitness goals in my face that I want to conquer, I can’t wait to begin producing more fitness content again, and I can’t wait to get back into the water stronger, and more dominating than ever. This experience has been humbling that’s for sure. And it’s sucked, but I’m so incredibly positive and inspired. This needed to happen to me, and it did happen to me, just like all the other events in my life. I’m beginning to learn to jump on opportunities, and not take things for granted.

Time to attack week four. Active-assisted here I come.

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