Introduction

[absolutebica]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Bryan and I am currently on day 16 of P90X. Its going well.

P90x is something I have wanted to do since last summer. Unfortunately, time, distractions, yada yada got in the way. Then about 3 months ago...while doing 4 pullups on a ledge near my stairs in my home...I did all 4, lowered myself..and felt a twinge behind my right shoulder blade. It was one of those moments you KNOW you screwed up because the muscles heat up..swell, and next thing you know...you have pain just turning your head.

I am sure you have all been there before.

This was different, though. I have dealt with bad posture a good chunk of my life, so upper neck/shoulder tension/tightness/knots isn't uncommon and I would get these neck twinges every once in a while. I was in decent shape and was working out a few days aweek, mostly cardio but at least I could knock out 4-6 pullups no problem.

Well, 2 weeks later whenever I did certain things with my right arm it hurt like HELL. I am talking 9 / 10 on pain scale.

So started physical therapy and that lasted 2 weeks because I felt they weren't doing enough to help. I then started seeing a chiropractor and we worked on some things to help it. By the time I started seeing him (about 9 weeks after it happened) I had lost a TON of power in my right arm. Case in point..pre injury I could knock out 20 pushups. Post injury..I couldn't do 1. and it wasn't that my arm "hurt" it had no energy to it. If I leaned against a wall with it straight armed, then leaned into the wall to push myself off...I would fall right into the wall. ugh.

I believe I started getting atrophy. Even my right pec flattened. Very strange...never truly wrapped my head around it.

So 16 days ago I began P90x. I had done some minor stuff trying to strengthen my arm before starting P90x like pushups...so my first day, I knocked out 13. And it was TOUGH. I could barely rake out 1 pullup. EMBARASSING!

Now I am day 16, I can do about 21 pushups, still struggle on the pullups, but with a chair I am doing better. I twinged my left side of my neck last monday..and so I still have some swelling and tightness, but I get through it.

So anyways, sorry for the novel but that is my story thus far. I can't wait to reach 90 days...going to Florida later this year :)

btw - I have a blog I update daily at http://www.p90experience.com I also have progress pictures I update every 7 days http://www.p90experience.com/p90x-progress-pictures/

[Dave]

Welcome to our little family. Hope you find it helpful to your journey.

Interesting how quickly the body gets stronger, isn't it. I think the human body is the most adaptable machine on the planet. We can teach it to be a fat storing blubber factory just as easily as we can teach it to be a fat burning, muscle building machine. Keep getting stronger every day.

Dave

[EclipsenFitness]

Hi Bryan,
I know all too well about what you just mentioned..

I had poor posture my ENTIRE life. so bad that i had "developed" a scoliosis in my spine, and what they call military neck.. lol nice.. add a couple of car accidents (both i was rear-ended) and you have a perfect stew!
My neck would go out every other month. the pain so excruciating even pain killers and muscle relaxers couldn't put a dent. :(

The last straw for me was January 2008. My Fiancè and I had gone to a formal dinner and on the elevator ride down to the banquet room the pressure from the high speed elevator actually prompted another pull.. This time SO bad it radiated from the right side of my Left shoulder blade.. to the top of my head, down my right arm, lost feeling in my pinky and ring finger, down the back of my left leg and i felt tingling in my left foot 24 hours a day. :eek:

Needless to say i ended up in physical therapy for a year (4 days a week) to straighten my spine, build the supporting muscles and get my posture corrected. I was taped up everyday for almost a year lol.. not very attractive but they had to keep my posture aligned properly all the time!!! :D

Now that i am doing the Beachbody programs and I'm REALLY building my core and upper body strength, and my back is nearly straight as a board ALL the time! I feel stronger and healthier and my neck rotation is nearly completely over each shoulder.. i still can't do a pull up and i can ONLY do 8 push ups lol but 9 months ago i couldn't even do that so i'll take it!!!

I am glad to see you are doing the P90X program despite the injury! You WILL get stronger, it's evident in your numbers already..
and Nice blog too! like the colors! :D

Tara