Mike's “I don’t really feel like lifting weights now “ Log

[DCR]

Notes: Had an appointment Friday for a consultation about a hernia I’ve had for a few years. Surgery is scheduled for February 6.

Which type of hernia?

[MikeMullany]

Umbilical. Dr will repair it laproscopically. . I’ve been dealing with it a few years, and finally decided to have it taken care of. I’ll probably run ATS 2.0 programming until the surgery and think of a plan once I can resume lifting. Maybe a focus on running for those few weeks recovering.

[DCR]

Umbilical. Dr will repair it laproscopically. . I’ve been dealing with it a few years, and finally decided to have it taken care of. I’ll probably run ATS 2.0 programming until the surgery and think of a plan once I can resume lifting. Maybe a focus on running for those few weeks recovering.

I had an umbilical handled five or so years back. A few things:

1. Before surgery: Doctor will talk with you about, and you’ve likely already done your own research on, whether to stitch the tissue back together or to put in a mesh guard. The mesh apparently has caused problems for some folks (see late night ambulance chasing attorney advertising) but plenty of others (the large majority, I imagine, but I don't know the stats) have been fine with it. Taking a conservative approach, I requested that my doctor stitch the tissue. However, when I woke up from surgery, he explained that when he got in there, it turned out that my tissue quality was very shitty. Recalling how important it was to me to be able to lift heavy, and knowing that if he stitched the tissue I'd just tear it again in five minutes, he made the executive decision to go with the mesh. Was it ethical to make that decision while I was under? I'm guessing not. Was it the right decision? Absofuckinglutely and I couldn't have been more grateful. Where I'm going with this: If you want the mesh, fine. However, if you want the stitching, you should discuss with your doctor beforehand what to do if he gets in there and that turns out to not be a great idea in light of your training.

2. After surgery: Yes the two or three days after I was pretty sore, but that was nothing compared to the pain of the constipation from the pain meds. I suggest just planning to take those few days to do nothing but read some good books or whatnot, and cut down on your need for the meds as much as possible.

3. Further after surgery: You can find plenty of dudes online, who got the mesh, talking about how they were back lifting near max poundages in a week. I thought that was crazy, took the recommended five weeks off, and ran a quick LP when I got back in. (Quick as in, going to the gym every day at first and adding 5 lbs to everything each time in. You don't need a rest day when you're squatting the bar and want to move up to 50 lbs.) I was fully back in action in a month or so (meaning, a month after the five week break), and suffered nothing for it.

[MikeMullany]

Hey man, thanks for sharing your experiences.

1. Surgeon did discuss both methods with me, and he recommended mesh for the same reasons your Dr called an audible. I have to say, I am already second guessing, but need to remember, the large majority do just fine with the mesh. Like my wife pointed out when I told her about the mesh, my body seems to be very sensitive to many things, so now I have that bouncing g around my head.

2. We did not even discuss pain after the procedure or pain meds. Was your repair an incision or was it laproscopic surgery?

3. I will most likely follow the Dr’s instructions regarding lifting things. I will go on light duty at work for 4-5 weeks, after taking 1-2 weeks off altogether. I know the strength will come back, and plan to do exactly what you did by LP’ing until I know the programming g should change. I did ask him when I could swing a golf club and run, and he said I could swing and light jog after a week or so. That will be discussed when I have follow up 1 week after surgery.

I guess my main question now is, if I have a problem with the mesh, will it be recognizable, and if so, can it be removed? Just talking out loud.

[MikeMullany]

Tuesday December 19, 2023

SSB Squat
Bar x 5,5,5
155 lbs x 3
205 lbs x 1
225 lbs x 5,5,5,5 (3 minutes)

Chins
BW x 11,4,4,4

Notes: Felt completely wiped yesterday. Thinking I just am not used to doing volume work. Was going to wait another day for this, but woke up and felt good so banged this out before work. This is definitely becoming my preferred time to lift.

[DCR]

We did not even discuss pain after the procedure or pain meds. Was your repair an incision or was it laproscopic surgery?

Was laproscopic. Really only two-three days of discomfort and so much of it was awful constipation (TMI I know but I had to get an enema it was so bad) that it's hard for me to say what discomfort was the surgery and what was the constipation. I wondered afterward, had they given me no Percocet at all, how bad, or not, would it have been? I ended up flushing the pills around the third day or so, to avoid any temptation to take any more of them.

[MikeMullany]

Wednesday December 20, 2023

3 Count Paused CG Bench
Bar x 7,7,7
115 lbs x 5
135 lbs x 2
140 lbs x 7,7,7,7,7,7,7 (7x7, 2 minutes)

Reverse DB Flyes
10 lbs x 15,15,15

Notes: These WO’s are a nice change of pace.

[MikeMullany]

Thursday December 21, 2023

SSB Squat
Bar x 7,7,7
155 lbs x 7
175 lbs x 7
195 lbs x 7
215 lbs x 7
245 lbs x 1

Banded Facepull
X 20,20,20

Notes: Was dreading doing 7 rep squats but these weren’t too bad. Hopefully they won’t make me too sore. Planned on working g up after to a challenging single with chains, but 245 did not feel as easy as it should have.

[MikeMullany]

Sunday December 24, 2023

Press
Bar x 5,5,5
65 lbs x 5
85 lbs x 4
95 lbs x 2
105 lbs x 1
110 lbs x 5,5,5,5

Rack Pull, Mid Shin
Bar x 7,7,7
135 lbs x 7
225 lbs x 2
245 lbs x 7,7,7

Notes: I was so sore and achy from Friday afternoon and all day yesterday. Took some ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Not sure if it was from squatting sets of 7 on Thursday, although it felt fine and wasn’t a struggle. I did get my first shingles vaccine Thursday afternoon so maybe a reaction. Don’t know. Merry Christmas everyone.

[DCR]

Merry Christmas everyone.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Mike.

[MikeMullany]

Thanks DCR, to you and your loved ones as well.

Sunday December 25, 2023

Run
20 minutes
1.81 miles
11:03/mile
112 avg bpm
165 avg spm

Notes: Can’t seem to find any consistency with running. Glad to be able to do this continuously for 20 minutes at a pretty easy pace. HR shows this. Legs felt heavy though.

[MikeMullany]

Monday December 26, 2023

SSB Squat
Bar x 4,4,4
155 lbs x 4
205 lbs x 1
235 lbs x 4,4,4,4

Paused CG Floor Press
Bar x 6,6,6
115 lbs x 6
135 lbs x 1
150 lbs x 6,6,6,6,6,6,6

Banded Triceps Pressdown
X 20,20,20,20

[MikeMullany]

Thursday December 28, 2023

Bench
Bar x 4,4,4
135 lbs x 4
155 lbs x 3
175 lbs x 2
195 lbs x 1
205 lbs x 4,4,4,4,4 (3 minutes)

Triceps Pressdown (5 second eccentric)
50 lbs x 20
40 lbs x 20

Notes: My buddy called me yesterday and told me his 20 year old son has recently begun lifting weights and is struggling with barbell squatting. He mentioned to his son that I had been doing this a long time and have a nice set up in the garage, and his son texted me asking he could stop by later. I’m flattered and looking forward to it.

[MikeMullany]

Thursday December 28, 2023

LB Squat
Bar x 6,6,6
135 lbs x 6
185 lbs x 6
205 lbs x 6
225 lbs x 6

Notes: Did this after showing my friends son how to squat and DL. I used the Starting Strength method as taught at the seminar. I dug up my notes from it and I think it is a very simple and effective way to get people to perform those movements. He took to the coaching and cues very well. Only wish I had some tan Carthart jeans to wear, and my get on one knee kneel game was a little rusty.

[MikeMullany]

Friday December 29, 2023

Run
2 miles
10:56/mile
123 avg bpm
167 avg spm

Notes: Did this in the park after the driving range on a very lovely and unseasonably warm early afternoon. I need to make some changes in the new year. I’ve definitely fallen into some bad habits again, and feel like shit for it.

[MikeMullany]

Saturday December 30, 2023

DL
135 lbs x 5
225 lbs x 2
275 lbs x 1
320 lbs x 4,4,4,4

Bench w chains
Bar x 6,6,6
135 lbs x 6
140 lbs + 30 lbs x 6
140 lbs + 60 lbs x 6,6,6,6

Bamded Triceps Pressdown
X 20,20,20,20

[MikeMullany]

Sunday December 31, 2023

Run
25 minutes
2.41 miles
10:25/mile
120 bpm
169 SPM

Notes Decent run done on a cold, gray afternoon.

[MikeMullany]

Monday January 1, 2024

Press
Bar x 5,5,5
65 lbs x 5
85 lbs x 4
95 lbs x 3
105 lbs x 2
110 lbs x 1
115 lbs x 4,4,4,4,4@7 (5 x 4, 3 minutes)

2 Count Paused HB Squats
Bar x 6,6,6
135 lbs x 6
185 lbs x 6
205 lbs x 6
225 lbs x 6@6 (3 minutes)

Banded Triceps Pressdown
X 20,20,20,20 (1 minute)

[MikeMullany]

Run
2.5 miles
26.28
10:35/mile
166 SPM

Notes: Felt like I was running in quicksand. Done after work on a bright and brisk late afternoon. I contemplated doing a session in the Airdyne instead, but forced myself to run. Almost always glad I did after the fact.

[MikeMullany]

Wednesday January 3, 2024

3 Count Paused Bench
Bar x 6,6,6
135 lbs x 6
145 lbs x 6
155 lbs x 6,6,6,6@6 (3 minutes)

Rack Pull, Mid Shin
Bar x 6,6,6
135 lbs x 6
225 lbs x 6
275 lbs x 6@<6

Banded Triceps Pressdown
X 20,20,20,20 (1 minute)

Notes: Body is very achy. Think I have some golfer/tennis elbow thing going on. Knees, shoulders, wrists all seem extra tight and creaky. Not sure if it’s age, cold, I’m doing too much, all or some of the above. Can’t be that bad if I keep doing what I do. I figure I will have a pretty decent break from things after the hernia so I’ll press on with what I’m doing, keeping loads low-ish and reps high-ish.