Primal Becks

Some days it is very difficult to be the positive person that I should be. Today was a Negative Nancy day. For everyone out there that is reading this (especially my female friends!!)…I’m sure you’ve had your Negative Nancy moments.

Just recently I started to feel a slight pain in my back again. The pain doesn’t feel like it did when I first became injured, but I do feel like the injury is still lingering. A twist here, a step there, and I feel a shot of pain. The problem is…since I’ve had so many injuries and do consider myself a worrywart, I can no longer think about anything else other than the spot on my back that MIGHT hurt. During a workout, I’m completely focused on the pain that MIGHT occur. So is my back really injured, or am I simply experiencing normal aches and pains from working out? I can no longer distinguish between the two, and it frustrates me!!
After a long drive home from the gym (and an extra long phone call/crying spell with my younger brother, Mike), I was convinced that I’ll have to make another trip to Airrosti very soon. I need to know whether this back injury is still there or not…I need to have peace of mind…and I’d like to turn my Negative Nancy into a Positive Penny! Dr. Perry…you might be seeing me again soon.
For all you out there that know me and love me…here is a short clip from the movie, The Switch…who does the kid remind you of??

The Switch clip

And now…here is a recipe I found a few months ago for banana pudding. It’s delicious! When you’re having a Negative Nancy day (and feel like eating a tub of ice cream), make some Negative Nancy pudding instead!

Negative Nancy pudding!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

Prior to my injury, I had achieved a few muscle ups. During my recovery from injury the past 2 months, I didn’t work on them at all. I attempted a few over the weekend and soon discovered that I still have it!! Today I did 12, and this video shows 2 of them.

In case you’re interested in a tasty and simple dessert…here is one that I enjoy.

Yummy Berries and Cream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup organic heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
dash of cinnamon
sprinkle of apple pie spice
sliced strawberries
blueberries
toasted coconut flakes (optional)

Directions:
Use a blender to whip heavy whipping cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Once cream reaches a whipped cream consistency, remove from blender. Be careful not to over whip the cream. Pour cream into a bowl, and add strawberries, blueberries, and toasted coconut to the top.  Mix it up, and enjoy!

This post is for the athletes who think they need to be exercising all day every day to stay healthy and fit. Based on my own experience over the past month and a half…you…are…wrong! Over 3 months ago, I noticed slight lower back pain along my spine that quickly turned into severe pain. It was bearable when I exercised, but I knew it didn’t feel right. After visiting with an Airrosti specialist, it was suggested that I might have a pars fracture. After my visit with a radiologist and getting an x-ray done, I was told there was NO fracture. After visiting with a spine doctor, I was told there MIGHT be a fracture (but he’d only be able to tell through an MRI or some other expensive procedure).

After those 3 doctor visits, I was very worried. With the help of Dr. Perry (my Airrosti go to miracle worker), I decided that it would be best for me to just lay off the exercises that were causing pain. No weight-bearing exercises, exercises with impact, or even exercises with quick changes in direction allowed! Apparently when diagnosed with a pars fracture, that would be the prescription anyway, so I took this cheaper route and began my road to recovery.

The list of exercises I could NOT do was endless…running, rowing, jumping, squats, lunges…absolutely no barbell lifting, KB swings, dumbbell lifts. You name it…I couldn’t do it. MY LIFE WAS OVERRRRR, right? I felt pretty much doomed, and my brother can vouch for that. So what could I do? Dead-hang pullups, ring dips, push-ups, plank holds, hollow rock holds. Short list. My number one question was…Where’s the cardio?? I’m a girl…so naturally, I felt like I was going to balloon without some cardio under my belt.

A month and a half later, I’m still on this same regimen, and my back feels much better. I’ve added some farmer’s walks, walking sled pulls/drags, and air squats to my workouts within the past 2 weeks. I still haven’t done any running, rowing, or jumping.

Did I balloon the way I thought I would? Nope. I’m still the same size. No ballooning occurred because throughout this process I have been eating well and sleeping more (TRY to get at least 7 hours each night). I don’t eat grains, I try not to eat fruits too often, and I cut my dairy intake in half. My fat intake is through the roof, but I don’t get fat. I eat good tasting food, and I feel healthy.

Now don’t get me wrong…I can’t wait to get back to my regular workout routine: 4x a week of strength and conditioning. 7 days in a week minus 4 workout days equals 3 rest days. In case you’re a more visual learner…

7 days – 4 workout days = 3 REST DAYS

The main message I want to get to you, especially the G7 athletes and more importantly the G7 women…is that you don’t need to be exercising every day to feel good in your clothes. Instead of running miles and miles on your rest days, how about you try…ummm…resting! Get cozy on your sofa and read a book…watch a good movie…spend time with the ones you love! As long as you’re eating well, you’ll be fine. And if you’re not eating well, you’re only doing your body more harm by overexercising it…ever heard of CORTISOL? Yikes! So get on the ball, and stop eating the grains and sugar! I love my rest days, and it’s time you learn to love them too.