6 months - from Borked to ...

[Juggertha]

Cliffs
-6 months of training
-herniated disk from 10 yrs ago
-trying to correct old issues


Background
I lifted years ago with some very talented and skilled people - but for the past ten years I've been out of it. I herniated my disk, and it ruined me. I was in so much pain - so much so that I would often be confined to the floor for days. I thought that leaving it, and letting it relax, it'd get better. It didn't. Instead, it "spread" throughout my body. Eventually, I was full of pain - all over my body. Waking, sleeping, it didn't matter - I always had some amount of pain.

I decided to get back into the gym. Even though I was in pain, I figured it was better to be in pain and lifting, than just in pain. Also, I was coming up on 40, and noticed that my "skinny-fat" was starting to really accelerate.

For the first 6 months, I did "the old man shuffle" through the gym. Just lifting 10lb dumbbells, and really not straining myself. I didn't see much in term of gains, but I felt more like I was training my mind in this period.

Starting Sept

I started taking it up a notch. I switched gyms, and decided to really push harder. I was still weak, but it didn't matter. I felt like I was now in the right groove to grow.

I also started going to a chiropractor 3 times a week. Wasn't sure about it at first, but in retrospect, it helped correct a lot of my issues about my alignment.

So, here are the shots. The lighting is different, but hopefully you'll be able to compare them. This is after I did my old man shuffle... so my actual "before" pics are much worse. It's funny about when you're out of shape - not many photos get saved. lol



It's funny, I thought 25lbs would look much different. I think it's limited because of my BF% - if I was to lean out, I'm sure the pics would look better.

Result

I'm still not in the shape I want to be in. Need to gain more muscle, and eventually lose the fat. Fat's always been easy for me to lose, so I'm not too worried about that part. I'd like to get rid of the gyno, but am not happy with my options here in korea. I am happy with the progress in my alignment. My hip is still tweaking in on my left, but my shoulders have evened out.

Let's hope the next 6 months see me stay "injury free".

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Here are a few vids of how I train

[Smelly bull]

You added some good size Jug.....great job!

[-=FLEX=-]

Solid improvement.

[pharmamarketer]

Excellent. Very well done

[drudixon]

25 lbs in 6 months is amazing progress. Great job!

[BalhamBeast]

Fantastic job! Considering the pain you were in to begin with, what you've done is amazing. Props.

[orangegoblin]

Great work, esp with the injury and short time-span.

[Juggertha]

Fantastic job! Considering the pain you were in to begin with, what you've done is amazing. Props.

That's the thing I hate about back pain. It can be debilitating... but no one really sees it. My wife knows, because she's seen me lie there on the floor (and not go to the bathroom for a week)... but when people see ya, they just think ya look fine. I almost wish I had a giant scar to show for it, if ya know what I'm saying.

My leg still tingles a lot, and I know I've got more to go for correction, but at least I'm back in the gym - it's a very good place to be.


Thanks for all the kind words, guys.

[trickyB]

Great bulk! You really look like you put some muscle on without adding much fat. Any info on total calories, how much above maintenance?

[discdoggie]

Thats some great work!

[Juggertha]

Great bulk! You really look like you put some muscle on without adding much fat. Any info on total calories, how much above maintenance?

I put my maintenance around 2500-2700. I have to hit around 3000 to see any movement, and if I go 3500, I start to gain. For 4 months I was at around 3000, then bumped it up for the past two months - partly because of a nice trip I took and all of the buffets that came along with it. lol

[theonlyant]

Great job man. The fruits of some HARD work! Atta boy

[MyNemisis]

Great job man. Awesome job keeping the additional lbs solid & not fluffy, especially considering the pain. Must have been extremly physically & mentally demanding. Way to overcome it as well as ya did. Keep at it, very inspirational.

[bodyhard]

Awesome work!! Reminds me to add you to the list of people who get it done!

[induced_drag]

Nice work man! You have really good abdominal development. Especially upper abs. (look at the side shot) Any direct work? ...or just heavy compounds.

[Jtbny]

Wow nice job!

[hazto]

Great job.

[Zingaritano]

Incredible job. I also enjoyed your vids.

[trickyB]

I put my maintenance around 2500-2700. I have to hit around 3000 to see any movement, and if I go 3500, I start to gain. For 4 months I was at around 3000, then bumped it up for the past two months - partly because of a nice trip I took and all of the buffets that came along with it. lol

Good deal, thanks!

[Towball12]

Great work. Looks like a solid bulk.

Quick question- I injured my lower back only a week ago and Ive been given the green light to deadlift and squat in another weeks time. The problem I have now is mentally thinking "what if it happens again?". How did you overcome this?

[Juggertha]

Nice work man! You have really good abdominal development. Especially upper abs. (look at the side shot) Any direct work? ...or just heavy compounds.

To be honest, I'd factor it mostly to genetics. I trained them in HS and they really "Popped"... then never went away - even at high bodyfat. I've got a barrel ribcage, so that adds to it. But if ya look, you can even see obliques, and I'm not sure that's so common at 20+% bodyfat.

I train abs once a month... if I remember. So I'm chalking it up to the genetics column (that, or flexing tons. lol)

Great work. Looks like a solid bulk.

Quick question- I injured my lower back only a week ago and Ive been given the green light to deadlift and squat in another weeks time. The problem I have now is mentally thinking "what if it happens again?". How did you overcome this?

I haven't. I'm still scared as **** doing big(ger) lifts. I just stay VERY aware of how they feel as I'm doing them, at at the first hint of an issue, I'm done. Iknow I'll gain more from stopping, than from squeezing out those extra reps and risking returning injury.


Again, thanks for all the cool comments, guys. I was a bit worried to post these pictures up because... well, I'm still sot of fat. Usually the "after" pictures has ppl looking all lean and such. Maybe me and Bodyhard are trying to buck the trend

[dalec1081]

Inspired...

[JimmyJonny]

love the determination you have, great job !

[StressMonkey]

Wow, I had absolutely no idea you were battling these pain issues. Major respect for putting up the good fight.

I've told you before that I love the humor you interject into your videos. You crack me up often.

[highiso]

Way to over come! Nice gains man!

[Juggertha]

Wow, I had absolutely no idea you were battling these pain issues. Major respect for putting up the good fight.

I've told you before that I love the humor you interject into your videos. You crack me up often.

I'd like to do more vids, but my training partner fled Korea. I never did get to record legs. Might have to buy a little iPhone tripod or something.

Ok, now I'm going to have to be wittier. With the like of Jason Genova on youtube, I've gotta do something to pull the views

[JOHN GARGANI]

Awesome work!! Reminds me to add you to the list of people who get it done!

exactly! you are the REAL DEAL, Jug.....

[Juggertha]

Ok, I've got my next 6 month goal.

I plan to break 240. Build my arms and delts. And REALLY build my legs.

Joining a new gym tomorrow. The gym I'm at is almost like Fitness Planet - DBs only go to 70. The new one is hard core... and that's hard to find here in Korea. I'm told all the BBs in Korea head there for training - so let's hope that helps me push to the next level.


Thanks for all the kind words here, guys (rep spreading commenced).