driven,
Let me try this again! I typed it once, and it just disappeared!
Ok, First, proud of you for coming back! Many people have an injury and just give up,so GOOD FOR YOU Bro!
Second, listen to your body, and give your body time. It WILL heal!
Lastly, I'd like to share my experience with you, so that hopefully it may give you a few ideas.
I tore my left distal bicep tendon on May 29th last year while deadlifitng, and making stupid mistakes by rushing my workout, just a month after setting 4 World PL records in the IPA. On June 6th I had surgery to have it re-attached, and on June 9th, I was back in the gym. I did the normal PT as directed, and surpassed all their goals WAY ahead of schedule. I took them a written schedule of what MY expectations were of myself.
After normal western medicine did all it could, I had accupuncture and a chinese herbalist work on it to bring back as much feeling as possible. I set a time goal to be 100%, and met that goal in less than 6 months.
Then I contacted as many people as I could that had the same injury to find out how they dealt with it, and get their suggestions for recovery. I was forunate to hook up with Brad Gillingham, who holds numerous World Records in the deadlift, and tore BOTH bicep tendons one year after the next at the Arnold Classic in Columbus Ohio. Brad was not only an inspiration personally, but goes on to blow away all his old records. The only thing he changed was his grip to a double overhand. Brad also sent me his Excel spreadsheet of his recovery WO from his injury, so that I can adapt it as a template for my own injury. I met him personally in St Louis a few months later. Not only was he a great guy, but his genuine concern for my injury, his inspection of my arm, more suggestions for recovery, and progress, and continued contact was invaluable. I owe him BIG TIME!
Then I read anyting I could for motivation. Here are a few I read you may wish to consider:
NO Excuses by Kyle Maynard. He is a congenital amputee with just short nubs for arms and legs. He attaches chains to his appendages and attaches weights to them to workout. He went on to be a National Champion Wrestler, graduated from college, and travels now as a motivational speaker. Remember him when you think you can't go on, or get one of those "Oh, whoa is me" moments.
Then I read Soul Surfer, by Bethany Hamilton. She was a teen Pro Surfer, who had her left arm "chomped off" by a shark. She came back and still competes on the same Pro Surfing Circuit.........and wins. Think of her when things get tough, you still have both legs.
Next was How To Succeed in the Game of Life by Christian Klemish. It's a collection of 34 interviews with the Worlds Greatest Coaches. Great Motivation.
Then, The Winners Manual for the Game of Life, By Jim Tressel, 5-Time National Championship Coach. Great words of wisdom here.
.....and then...make a plan and see it through....NEVER, NEVER give up.
Remember a boxer of "some fame"
named Muhammad ALi. He said something like, " There is no shame in getting knocked down, as long as you keep getting back up".
I hope this was of some help, and if there is anything I can do to help you along, just ask! I can relate a little with the ACL trouble. I was in the Army for 14 + years, and blew out my left ACL on a cross country run. Since I was the Platoon Sergeant, I didn't quit and lead my platoon on the 15 mile run. It was a minor tear, but shifted my left patella enough to eventually turn into something called Chondromalacia, basically meaning I have no padding on the back of my left knee. It eventually lead to my medical discharge in 1992. THEN I became a body builder, went onto powerlifitng, and now I'm back on the road to bodybuilding again.
I'm 51 years old.
You are NEVER too injured. You are NEVER too old. You can always get back up.
Now just do it my brother!
Frank
aka
mrbeefy
named Muhammad ALi. He said something like, " There is no shame in getting knocked down, as long as you keep getting back up".