3 years and 7 months later - Doing better than ever!

Well I haven't been posting updates on this blog. So that means one thing! I've been doing great since surgery, and too busy enjoying life. Sad but true, when life is good we are out enjoying it and when it's not we sit around complaining about it.

So what has happened in my life since the last post surgery update? Alot!!! This being one of my proudest accomplishments! Pulling a 19,000 lb semi truck approx 43 feet.  💪😊 I had actually done it for the first time, about 4 months prior for a total of about 35 feet.

If you recall from my previous post op post, I said I would never lift heavy again. Never go heavy on my deadlifts. Well I just had the wrong mindset. All I needed was a new mindset and the right person in my corner saying you can do this! And who helped me train to do it safely.

This is him. My badass trainer!  This man has encouraged me and helped push me when I was scared to in the gym.

  My deadlifts were maxing at 65# when I met him.  I have since gone above my pre surgery deadlift of 195# and... 

hit 235# deadlift just a few weeks ago! 💪💪 

My goal is to one day hit 250# but honestly I have no need or desire to ever go over that. I don't wanna play with fire for no purpose or reason. 

My last post talked about how my back still cramped alot. I no longer have that. I workout 6 days a week. I'm in the gym about 9 hrs of that week. I start each working in the sauna warming up and relaxing the muscles for the workout. I then spend about 5 min rolling and stretching, spending special focus on my back, lower back and glutes. That rolling and stretching each day makes all the difference!

Do I still feel that I had back surgery? Absolutely. But it's not a constant reminder that I live with. I do experience discomfort alot sooner than I use to with long amounts of standing or walking, I think that's my biggest reminder that I live with. But as you can see above lifting heavy things no longer is an issue as long as I'm smart about it.

One of my favorite phrases is the Japanese proverb "Nana korobi, ya oki" which means "Fall down seven times, stand up eight."  It means choosing to never give up hope, and to always strive for more. It means that your focus isn't on the reality in front of you, but on a greater vision that may not be a reality yet.

I now have it tattood on my ribs after asking my 13 yr old daughter to draw up the tattoo for me. ❤️

So until next time friends. And remember, It's not about how many times life knocks you down.... It's about how many times you get back up. 💪💪👌