No pain, no progress

I woke up this morning with some serious pain in my lower back and forearms. Clearly, not what should be hurting from the exercises I did yesterday (although my hamstrings and shoulders also hurt, so I suppose I did something right). Obviously, I lifted too heavy. To add insult to injury (literally), when I was leaving my step class this morning, I saw a girl pick up the very same barbell with what appeared to be very little effort and carry it across the weights room like it was nothing.

So I could become all defeatist, figure I’ll always have a weak upper body and accept it; or I can stay the course with my weight lifting program and get stronger. I’m going with the second option and when I think about all of the progress I’ve made since adopting a healthy lifestyle a year and a half ago, I know I can do it.

For example, in March of last year, I couldn’t run for longer than two minutes without having to stop. The very first time I ran, I went with a friend of mine who happens to be a national athlete and certified personal trainer (not a wise idea, in case you were wondering). It was so frustrating not being able to keep up with her but you know what? I kept at it and within five months, I could run 10km without stopping.

Another example – at the beginning of last year, I had no idea how to cook; the extent of my culinary skill was popping something frozen in the oven for twenty minutes. Today, after more than a few demoralizing kitchen disasters, I consider myself a pretty competent cook. If my old self could see me now, she’d be pretty damn impressed. But I never would have made so much progress if I’d given up at the first obstacle.

So what’s the point of this long-winded post? Basically, that I’ll be back in the free weights room next week, as planned.

Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox for a minute to review my weekend so far. Last night, Josh and I met up in Toronto to watch Brown Balls, a play my friend Renna is producing. The play addresses common stereotypes about Asian males and it was quite thought-provoking. You can read a good review of it here if you’re interested. Here’s a pic of Renna and me at the event:

There was also dinner before the show, a nice pan-Asian spread of various curries and noodles, as well as beef ribs and rice. I had vegetarian chapchae, vegetarian red curry with rice and beef ribs followed by a bit of vanilla ice cream with strawberries and a glass of wine.

I’ve spent most of today running errands. In light of my back pain, I did a fairly light (but really fun) step class followed by some light weights (just biceps and quads, nothing I worked yesterday). After, Josh and I had lunch at Whole Foods:

I am officially obsessed with their Kamut Power Blend. Ingredients are kamut, rice, sweet potatoes, edamame, almonds, sunflower seeds, raisins, parsley, raspberry vinegar, apple juice and dried figs. So much good stuff in every bite and it’s so crunchy and sweet. Mmmm!  

Plans for the rest of the day – laze around until it’s time to meet up with Josh, Eleanor, Chris and a couple of friends for dinner. Happy Saturday!