I did a somersault over the handlebars of my mountain bike at 25 mph and bruised the hell out of my ribs on the asphalt in April. (The concussion and separated shoulder weren't fun, either.) I concur on the healing for a month advice.
You have absolutely no need to worry: muscles have memory, big time. When I finally got back to the dumbbell rack, it only took me a few weeks to get back the levels I had before and even a little more. Key is to wait until nothing hurts anymore. Stretch lightly, go about your day, do other exercises to keep your blood moving and your endorphin rush coming (walking, hiking, low impact sex, grip exercises...whoops, didn't mean to be redundant, there.
) Eat bone building calcium sources.
Don't call it "time off" or "healing" or "recovery." Tell people you're cross-training or experimenting with a new schedule. Tell yourself that, too. The body takes its orders from the brain and you'll heal a lot faster if you're not thinking about yourself as wounded the whole time. Nothing's changed, you're still in building mode, it's just bone you're building at the moment.
When you do get back in the weight room, visualize your comeback as being like pushing a car. At first, it's a bitch and it's slow going and you have to take small steps. But then, you get rolling and it's suddenly easier and easier to move that thing. In no time at all, you're sprinting behind it. Momentum builds on itself even if it starts from a standstill. You'll be kicking ass and taking numbers before Thanksgiving.
Baby Herc
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
