RECOVERY AFTER A DELOAD WEEK, WHEN THE MOVEMENT NEEDS TO STOP... FOR A WHILE!!!

I've often heard the human body is so much smarter than we are. It knows when it's time to shut down, when it's time to eat, sleep, recover, procreate, and run!

Most importantly, the body may fall into a pattern of dis-ease. Yes folks, that ugly word we hate to use-sickness, illness, being "under the weather."

People want to avoid this malady at all costs. But the reality is, if you don't take care of yourself, if you don't manage your stress levels, if you don't keep your distance from toxic situations, it can and will catch up to you. If you keep wearing yourself down, you WILL eventually incur the wrath of the cooties!

On a side note- this year has been fraught with family tragedy the likes I've never been exposed to, so the stress definitely got to us. After 7 deaths and 6 funerals, I'm almost surprised we didn't get run down sooner. We're vaxxed, as much of a naturalist as I proclaim to be. We actually avoided most immune system drops by keeping to our regimen of beach walks, the occasional mountain hikes, and lifting weights. But as it got further along, we knew it wasn't something that would pass.

We had carried the burden for the family. From making sure everybody was accommodated for, to the flights, to days off, to coming home to my cat developing a limp- it was non-stop. I maintained a pretty consistent training regimen, took my supplements, got some good sleep. But we didn't get time to cry, to mourn. By the time we got run down, I was so relieved to finally be able to hole up in the room under the covers to recover from life for a few days. Getting back to it was the hard part.

It's already been a week and no lie, I don't know how to get started. But I'm just stretching, rolling out my spine and muscles and eating clean. Tomorrow morning starts the new regimen. Tonight I'll write out a basic program and set it to music. I don't fear returning to my training, I just know I won't be able to lift as heavy as I had accomplished. But I forgive myself for being human. I know what I'm capable of. And that, my dear friends, is what will ensure my keeping confident of my reacclimating to the past progress. I've seen the squat rack thousands of times. I'm very familiar with a chest tapping bench press. I'm aware of how well I've kept my speed, even after a few decades on this planet. And that, faithful readers, is why I encourage you to be your own friend. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. So when the trials of life come your way, your resolve, not just your body, will carry you through to the next battle.

KEEP ON MOVING FOLKS!!! MOVEMENT IS LIFE AND LIFE IS MOVEMENT!!!