Well, today was quite an ordeal. If you remember, I talked yesterday about my back hurting. Well, after tennis, it just got progressively worse until I could barely stand up straight. I took some medicine for it and hoped for the best. When I woke up this morning, it was still painful, but at least it didn't feel any worse. But I still couldn't stand up straight. So as I walked, I looked like a hobbled old man. But the more I walked, it seemed to stretch out my back and I slowly came to be able to stand up straight again. But then I'd sit for a while, then upon standing up, I was bent over again for a little while. When I got home, I was seriously considering just taking it easy today and perhaps even the rest of the week. But that thought didn't last very long. Instead, since it was resistance day today, I thought to just modify like crazy and really protect my back. So that is what I did.
The progression of moves in Incinerator is actually really good, and I didn't have to modify too much. I was intending to go a little lighter overall but ended up doing just a little below my max. The only modifying it did was on moves like move 5. Rocket Launcher Rows, I rested my upper body on my leg instead of supporting with core strength. But on move 11. Pterodactyl Flys, I went on my Swiss Ball. I didn't want to risk that upper body angle making my back worse. Then I did the same on move 18. Rocket Launcher Kickbacks, went on the Swiss Ball to protect my back. I could feel a huge difference in my back during the Svenson Vinyasa. My Up-Dog wasn't anywhere near the range of motion I usually get. I did make one minor mistake on move 14. Kneeler Curls. I didn't pay attention and I thought that since this was a weighted move, the rep count was 10. I didn't realize that it was a max rep move until I finished my 10 reps, started getting up and Tony and the crew were still pumping out reps. I probably could have done another 3-5 reps. I was very happy to get 10 clean reps in on the Pull-Ups and Chin-Ups within the 30 second time limit. And that was with full extension. But the move that probably surprised me the most because of its brutal nature and the serious burn was move 9. Monkey Pump. I was only using 4kg dumbbells. I thought it would be a walk in the park, and for the most part, the first 4-5 reps were pretty easy. Then I hit the proverbial wall and the last 3-4 reps were incredibly brutal and my shoulders were feeling that major BURN!!! I can usually touch my elbows together in front but with the work from the previous 8 moves, I was too pumped to be able to touch my elbows. Awesome routine! I extended the time of the routine passed 30 minutes because I stopped to learn several moves, then rewound the DVD then started over again with the crew. Major pump and burn today. With minimal back tension. That was the goal.
Still in back protection mode, I went with Chalene's Ball Abs. And I got a great burn and the only back pain I felt was during the warm up when I was supposed to extend. I went a little too far and the nerves let me know so I backed off. But it was a great maintenance routine. But I could feel my abs were stronger because I didn't feel the need to tap out during the routine at all.
I decided to go with the Unlocking my Tight Hip Flexor routine and I really pushed it, especially on the kneeling moves. I felt really good and I felt that I did actually open up my hip flexors. I was pushing it in as many angles as I could. Painful, but good, and I was able to protect my back. The Flow felt really good, too. When I have to keep my back straight, I seemed to move smoother and with purpose.
In the end, I torched only 655kcals. But the results I was feeling were awesome. The best surprise of the workout was the fact that quickly on, my back loosened up and I was able to stand up straight during 95% of the workout. No more excuses to hide behind. Back pain SCHMACK PAIN!!!
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