Muscle gain ...and tissue damage exposed

26 months post ABX.

Worked out 8 days in a row at the gym (free weights and weighted pully machines) before I thought I should stop for a break (was finally not recovering). This was not possible the last two decades. I've used weights for 37 years.

Like many, my muscles and tendons were trashed and I had many range of motion issues. It was mostly my whole left side. Did a few years of self muscle and tendon rehabilitation (pressure, rolling, trigger point ect). Long slow process still progressing.

Its hard to see muscle gains after 50, but certainly possible, even after lyme. I dont purposely do cardio, but get it naturally from outdoor adventures. Body fat ratio/density is good too.

Whats weird- Now that my bicep's are visually larger, the left one (was weaker) is like a double bicep muscle or " a camel back". The center, where it had a tight knot has a "low area". I'm still working on it with self-Graston and topical DMSO. Its like the center part of the muscle is permanently injured and wont gain/grow, but the parts on both ends do.

Strange.

"You think its permanently damaged or you reckon you can get it back?"
- well its stronger, but looks funny as described. The fact that it still has some knot characteristics is part of the problem. Ive fixed this in other areas, but this is taking longer. Time will tell, but this takes a lot of time. Changed my dumbbell curls to "step curls" recently. This takes away the momentum a full curl has. Momentum is the opposite resistance, just like speed - does nothing for gains or growth. Changing things up helps too.

"How important would you say the rolling/triggerpoint and pressure release is?"
- Very, as blood flows around knots vs into knotted tissue. This is a huge part of my reconditioning. Tissue needs circulation to improve. Knots have minimal circulation. Knots feel like speed bumps when using fitness rollers and need smaller more exact tools for release. This can take a long time, but giving up results in nothing.

I started reconditioning at the core (lower back) and slowly went outward fixing / exploring range of motion road blocks as they became more obvious. The "road blocks" were knots and stuck tissue. Some muscles were also "stuck to" and "pulled on" other muscles that should have glided over. One smart PT who actually thought outside of her "trained box" set forth by the clinic noted this and showed me with various test movements. Need more like her.

That's fantastic that you did so well with the snowshoeing. It's satisfying when we can see our progress and are able to get back to activities we enjoy without getting overly punished.

You ever do loaded carries? I found those pretty amazing for strengthening core and spinal erectors (which I think are a weak point for me). The carries seem to have nice carryover to other exercises.

well lately I've been doing a lot of front loaded carries with sandbags (mostly in zercher position). But yeah, if you have back issues you might have to avoid those exercises. But maybe possible if you go very light and make sure not to hunch over. I just think they have nice carryover to real life stuff.

You guys are more fit than me. Geez. A six pack? I've never even had that and I have a pretty low body fat for a woman, and my weight is pretty low. I'm in physical therapy now because I can barely walk. This sucks.

Georgia- Did your bicep feel weaker from that? Was it from any past injury?

Abbs are overrated Ha ha! Too work much to maintain unless your young. A slight six pack "definition" is a lot easier to keep than the full deal, and is still an accomplishment with all the crappy food around us and age.

I never was much of a bencher and pretty much targeted what Id use in real-life, that said, I must say your 335 is pretty impressive. I was never stocky enough for heavy weights, was always lean but defined. Most I ever benched in my prime while 6' @ 170, 20 years ago, was prob about 240 at very best and it was a challenge to get there. I'd probably blow a vessel and bleed out if I tried that today!

Legs were a different deal though, - I was pretty good there. But, that also created a problem with lyme. When strong legs get stiff/unbalanced (in my case), that can lead to hip and low back problems which is something I've had to address and finally seeing improvements. My IT bands (likely the side muscles under them) have required a lot of work to loosen up.

My goal is to simply live everyday AND to once again take part in outdoor adventures without pain. I have high hopes, but also understand "no pain" might not be possible. In that, case less pain (like now) is still a huge improvement.

Post Edited (astroman) : 3/5/2019 8:02:43 AM (GMT-7)

Well, Im hoping doing step curls (different) might coax this area into shape. In between, Im going to do more Grasston there (till red) and apply DMSO. I did that on my right triceps and it worked (on radius-ed counter edge)- took 6 months.