"Thanks for the Memories... the Muscle Memories, that is"

[bulkybud]

I had to take almost two months off of training due to respiratory issues (bronchitis, sinusitis, and other related problems) but now have been back for about 3 weeks.
I?ve been focused, training big (but smart- no stupid injuries for this boy!), eating big, and getting all the sleep I can.
And the strength is coming back fast and I?ve packed on about 5 lbs. in bodyweight. Thursday I managed 11 reps at a 225 lb. bench and one of my friends said, ?Hey! I thought you were going to take it easy while you?re getting back to it!?
I replied, ?I did 11 reps. When I can do 12 or more I?ll add weight. I call that taking a slow, careful approach. I?m not going to try any heavy singles for a long time.?
He agreed but mumbled that was more than he ever benches. I just thanked him for the support and DIDN?T add what I was thinking- that I used to warm up at this weight. I know this growth spurt will not last very long, but right now it is VERY cool.
Has anyone else here had to take time off training and then enjoyed that ever-so-brief time when muscle-memory helps you regain lost strength comparatively quickly?

bulkybud

[bulkybud]

Just to add: 3 weeks ago a mere three sets of benching 8-10 reps at 185 left me very sore then next day.

Now 3 sets of 8-12 reps at 225, the same workout at the Hammerstrength Chest Press, and 3 reps of 10 at 150 at the pec deck and I'm a little tight the next day, but not sore.

It's coming back.

[Mdlftr]

Originally Posted by bulkybud

I had to take almost two months off of training due to respiratory issues (bronchitis, sinusitis, and other related problems) but now have been back for about 3 weeks.
I?ve been focused, training big (but smart- no stupid injuries for this boy!), eating big, and getting all the sleep I can.
And the strength is coming back fast and I?ve packed on about 5 lbs. in bodyweight. Thursday I managed 11 reps at a 225 lb. bench and one of my friends said, ?Hey! I thought you were going to take it easy while you?re getting back to it!?
I replied, ?I did 11 reps. When I can do 12 or more I?ll add weight. I call that taking a slow, careful approach. I?m not going to try any heavy singles for a long time.?
He agreed but mumbled that was more than he ever benches. I just thanked him for the support and DIDN?T add what I was thinking- that I used to warm up at this weight. I know this growth spurt will not last very long, but right now it is VERY cool.
Has anyone else here had to take time off training and then enjoyed that ever-so-brief time when muscle-memory helps you regain lost strength comparatively quickly?

bulkybud

Bulkybud,
Good for you! I've had several times in the last 2-3 years where I've had to take time off of lifting due to sickness or injury. My strength came back, but it took a while. I understand your frustration because you think, "Hey, I work out, I eat correctly, I try to get enough sleep and then....a delay because of illness, injury or crazy schedules! It's not fair! Whahhh!"

O.k., maybe your reaction is a bit more grown up than that, but you take my meaning.

BTW, I have to lay off shoulder and chest work right now because I injured my biceps tendons which run down from your shoulders. I start PT next week, and I have a month of PT before I can get back to chest and back work. Bummer! But I'll be back - better than ever!

Keep lifting!

Mdlftr

[bulkybud]

Originally Posted by Mdlftr

I understand your frustration because you think, "Hey, I work out, I eat correctly, I try to get enough sleep and then....a delay because of illness, injury or crazy schedules! It's not fair! Whahhh!"

I TOTALLY relate to that. Those two months when I knew that if I went into the gym coughing and hacking the other people in the gym, trying to be healthy, would probably have stoned me until I fled the gym with my germs. (Come to think of it, the only handy projectiles in the gym were Olympic weights so that could have gotten really ugly!)

Here I am crowing about my return while you are still facing setbacks... sorry about that.

But I will adjust your enthusiastic "Keep lifting!" (Thanks for that, by the way) to "Get back to it as soon as you can!"

bulkybud