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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