While we are young, some of us enjoy lifting heavy weights, doing heavy impact sports, skipping stretching because “we don’t need to”, and not leaving enough time to recover.
It is so fun to be young and able to do these things as working out is so good for our health, right?
I think working out is one of the BEST things we could ever do. It benefits us not only in a physical way, but in mental, and even social ways. It’s surely the best part of my day, and making it a priority absolutely changed my life.
However, the WAY we workout can contribute to how mobile, healthy, and happy we are in the future.
Do you workout to maintain your health, and see some progress?
If you workout to maintain your health, tone up, lose weight, or stay active…you most likely are not going to hit PR’s (personal records), lifting hundreds of pounds, and have to wear belts or lifting straps. I suspect this type of person isn’t a grunter, weight dropper, or someone who puts raw eggs in their smoothies….this way of working out is what I would recommend to any family, friend, or client because working out effectively doesn’t require you to do hundreds of pounds or hours of high impact cardio.
Traditional strength training is so good for you, and even better when done in a safe and smart way.
Do you workout to body build and constantly hit personal bests?
If you workout to hit PR’s, gain muscular hypertrophy, and/or “bulk up”, it is harder to do so in a safe and attainable way. This isn’t a “wrong” thing to do, but is something many weight lifters (including myself) have done at one point in their life. Doing this type of muscle growth workout, is usually when we are eating in a surplus of calories, warming up, stretching, and prioritizing rest and protein intake. This way of working out is often associated with “bulking” or eating in a surplus of calories to essentially lift more, and gain more muscle over a period of time. Many people do this to gain muscle quicker, fix their metabolism (yes, it’s possible), and/or prep for a show or competition.
But, when is it time to slow down?
It is not an attainable goal to bulk your whole life, nor is it to diet and cut your whole life. You cannot constantly be gaining muscle and hitting PR’s.
As a young person, it is hard not to expect a personal best every week, or to always be on top of my game. But, I had a small experience that reminded me of the importance of MAINTENANCE & REST.
In January, I did my usual leg workout consisting of deadlifts, RDL’s, squats, and lunges. I then didn’t stretch enough and went home to do school work before my 3-11 shift. I jumped on my bed to grab my charger (like a toddler, yes) and felt a hot and popping sensation in my hip. My glute down to my ankles then tingled each time I flexed my hip, moved my feet, or bent over. This went on for about two months, and although it was a small injury, it affected my daily life. I couldn’t do my job as well as usual, it hurt to bend over, and I often woke up with a hot and burning pain in my glute. It was small enough I didn’t go to the doctor, but I suspect I aggravated my sciatic nerve in some way while pulling my glute.
So, I took two months off from hip hinge movements, and heavier weight lifting, just in time for spring. This time “off” has helped me to learn recovery techniques and the fact that recovery and rest is more than necessary.
Now, I’m back to doing hip hinge movements but with fewer calories, less carbs, and less PR’s. I’ve added more body weight and cable movements, while realizing how useful these are for any aged human being. I have no more pain in the glute, and I blame that on the fact that I took two whole months off from these movements.
We will all suffer some sort of exercise injury, if not many. However, the way you work it out and deal with it, determines the future.
Will you “push through” now, and be stuck with it later in life?
Or, will you rest and recovery when necessary, and be able to remain healthy and mobile longer?
PR’s are fun, and sometimes necessary for motivation in the beginning…many people call this “newbie gainz” however, the way you train consistently is key to your overall health and well being. You won’t lose progress from resting for a while, but you will lose progress if you let a small injury turn into a life long problem.
I recommend anyone reading this to experience PR’s and eating more calories to see this fast muscular change in your body. It’s so rewarding. However, I strongly recommend for you to workout for future health, wellness, and the ability to move as long as you can. A quick PR or competition is immediately satisfying, but a long life of flexibility and decreased injury is even more satisfying.
Be the most nimble grandparent you can be by taking care of yourself now!
Lol…happy Tuesday!
Growing Healthies 
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