Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum but not new to working out. I am posting today to let others know that they are not the only ones who may be injured.

December

After working out with extremely heavy weights and working a job which required alot of stress on my shoulder I was diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury.

January

I was referred to a physical therapist and was shown the various subscapular exercises. Since I could not do any upper body workouts I decided to go on a cutting diet, I did cardio 5 days a week, and I worked on my legs (which I've neglected in the past).

February

My PT visits ended and I was cleared to do light upper body exercises. Of course I thought light was around 50% of my normal max workout and everytime I worked out I would end up very sore (the bad kind of sore) which I now believe slowed my healing progress.

March

I finally have just about stopped doing upper body workouts. If I do any, I am only using VERY light weights and I will only do 1-2 sets per muscle group. This morning my shoulder felt almost like it was never injured although now in the afternoon I can feel a slight aggrevation.

I am writing this because I know how hard it is to stop doing something that we love to do and I need to let others know that sometimes, even though it may seem like we're slacking or missing out, we need to take the necessary rest and let our injuries heal.

I noticed a few weeks ago that John injured his shoulder back in Nov. and I searched through his daily journals and realized that I am not someone special who's going to heal faster than the average person just because I work out.

I am going to take it extremely easy for the rest of this month and next month maybe try back at 20% of my max to test out my upper body exercises.

Although it's been really hard and feels like I've really gone backwards some good things have come out of this. I've lost 15 lbs. and my legs have gotten stronger. I know I've lost alot in my shoulders and arms but I can see some definition in abdominals. I also know that I can usually get back to where I was in strength in about 6-8 weeks.

My profile pic shows the progress I made in 2002 and I have others for this year which I hope to post soon.

So I said enough and if this helped anyone then great, if not, I know it has helped me. I really like this forum and thank all you guys for being here.

And I would also like to thank John for running this encouraging fitness forum.

Hi skobydog, and welcome to the forum. Glad you like it! You are looking good. :tu:

Thanks for posting your excellent advice and experiences. I think many of us make the same mistakes because, as you mentioned, we all hate to give up something we love and want to keep moving forward, even if it's painful. As you and I have learned, that's the wrong way to go and acting on that kind of thinking will only prolong the injury. I think it's good that you've put a positive spin on your injury.

It's been very frustrating at times for me, but trying to stay positive has really helped. Thankfully I feel like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck with your shoulder.

Just out of curosity, how painful is painful for your shoulder injuries?

Recently I too have had a shoulder strain. Day to day I don't feel any pain, I only feel pain when I put down a heavy weight after using it... kinda like tendonitis.

I was told by a trainer at the gym just to lay off it for a week and see if I still get pain a week later.

Did you guys feel a constant pain even when not working out? Can you describe it for me, if it's like a dull ache or a sharp momentary pain?

I injured myself also recently, falling over (it was my birthday, a 'day off' and I allowed myself to get quite drunk...mistake!) and also pulling a muscle in my leg playing basketball.

In the past I would have welcomed any excuse not to go to the gym, but now having made a dramatic lifestlye change as a result of this site I'm really frustrated about not being able to go to the gym and lift (I can still do cardio).

This has made me realise what a positive influence John and this site has had on my life. And although it is frustrating, I'll take it easy and when I'm better I'll be back up in there with a quickness!

Anyways, I'd just like to say thanks again John, keep it up! :tucool:

Just out of curosity, how painful is painful for your shoulder injuries?

Recently I too have had a shoulder strain. Day to day I don't feel any pain, I only feel pain when I put down a heavy weight after using it... kinda like tendonitis.

I was told by a trainer at the gym just to lay off it for a week and see if I still get pain a week later.

Did you guys feel a constant pain even when not working out? Can you describe it for me, if it's like a dull ache or a sharp momentary pain?When I first injured mine I couldn't even pick up a 5 pound protein tub without wincing in pain. Lifting weights was impossible. Now it hurts a little if I move it in a certain way, but not bad at all. Sometimes I don't even notice it. If I tried to lift weights right now I could probably get through I pretty tough workout, but I'd feel it tomorrow and would make it much worse.

I would not work any part of your upper body again until it is 100% better. If it takes more than a week, see a doctor. You don't want to mess around with your shoulder. A shoulder injury can put you out of action for a long, long time. :p

I injured myself also recently, falling over (it was my birthday, a 'day off' and I allowed myself to get quite drunk...mistake!) and also pulling a muscle in my leg playing basketball.

In the past I would have welcomed any excuse not to go to the gym, but now having made a dramatic lifestlye change as a result of this site I'm really frustrated about not being able to go to the gym and lift (I can still do cardio).

This has made me realise what a positive influence John and this site has had on my life. And although it is frustrating, I'll take it easy and when I'm better I'll be back up in there with a quickness!

Anyways, I'd just like to say thanks again John, keep it up! :tucool:I know how you feel about being frustrated, but you are doing the right thing by waiting. :tu:

Thanks for the kind words, glad to have you here!