Bodybuilding is finally over for me...

[gopro]

Congratulations on your decision Rob. Interesting, as I am recovering from a 4month hiatus from lifting because of a severe L5/S1 herniation. The pain I endured during this period has been like any other I have EVER experienced. For 7 of 16 weeks I only got out of bed to use the bathroom, or to go for my 3 weekly (severely painful) treatments.

I wish you the best of health and happiness!!

 

[Periwinkle]

Wise choice. I've been injured three times doing my current job. Wouldn't give up and kept going back. This time is even worse with herniated disc. No more, I'm done. Shoulda, woulda, coulda...just hoping to recover so I can still have a life. Don't go back, go forward. Good luck to you.

 

[CowPimp]

I hate to see you go; I think the bodybuilding world needs more people like yourself. Nonetheless, you have to do what's best for your health. That is definitely top priority. Good luck with your latest decision. I hope everything works out for the best.

 

[DOMS]

If you don't mind me asking Rob, was there any particular cause to you injuries or was it just normal wear and tear? What's known about bodybuilding has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. Was there something that we now know is harmful that wasn't known back then that contributed to your back injuries?

 

[Arnold]

If you don't mind me asking Rob, was there any particular cause to you injuries or was it just normal wear and tear? What's known about bodybuilding has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. Was there something that we now know is harmful that wasn't known back then that contributed to your back injuries?

Well, I have to say age, and wear & tear because I started getting more injuries as I got into my 30's... and if anything my form has improved, I avoided certain exercises, never went below 4 reps on sets, took more time off, etc. I have definitely trained much smarter the past 5-6 years.

I think some of us are more susceptible to certain injuries like back. I have been squatting for 16 years and I have never had a knee injury, where others get them right off the bat, yet never have a back injury.

I do think the older you get you have to be much more careful, do less volume, avoid maxing out, things like that. But regardless lifting heavy weights several days per week puts a lot of extra wear and tear on your joints: back, knees, shoulders, etc.

Like I said I will not quit weight training, it will just be for overall health and fitness. I want to be walking upright when I am 60.

 

[Pepper]

Rob

I wish you the best of health. I don't think any of us think you are a quitter. Many people here have chosen to steer away from bodybuilding and either live a clean lifestyle of diet and exercise or even just people that are runners or athletes in general. This doesn't mean you are a quitter. Instead it means you are smart to listen to your body. Good luck and feel better soon

Ditto to Jodi, she said exactly what I think. Good luck.

 

[Nick+]

Damn! I'm 39 and I've not even started Bodybuilding yet!

 

[DOMS]

Well, I have to say age, and wear & tear because I started getting more injuries as I got into my 30's... and if anything my form has improved, I avoided certain exercises, never went below 4 reps on sets, took more time off, etc. I have definitely trained much smarter the past 5-6 years.

I think some of us are more susceptible to certain injuries like back. I have been squatting for 16 years and I have never had a knee injury, where others get them right off the bat, yet never have a back injury.

I do think the older you get you have to be much more careful, do less volume, avoid maxing out, things like that. But regardless lifting heavy weights several days per week puts a lot of extra wear and tear on your joints: back, knees, shoulders, etc.

Like I said I will not quit weight training, it will just be for overall health and fitness. I want to be walking upright when I am 60.

Thanks for the info Rob. I've just started weight training at age 32, and I'm always looking for ways to make sure I can keep at it for years to come.

Good luck with cutting back though. I've found that, for me, bodybuilding is like alcoholism. It's cold turkey or nothing. I had to stop working out due to a rotator cuff injury (due to bad from on the BP) and I had to stop all exercises, even legs, because I had the itch to "just work out light." If you can just cut back, you're a better man than I.

 

[DOMS]

Damn! I'm 39 and I've not even started Bodybuilding yet!

I thought that bodybuilding was illegal in France because it would cause all the guys to lose their girlish figures.

 

[Hlanderr]

ill second that Rob...... im sure your looking at this as a start of a second life in lifting(exercising). I can't imagine the anguish you must be under, as a hurt back can really affect everything, but it seems you have been doing great, and on the road to recovery

ive heard someone say once, that the word "crisis" and "opportunity" are the same word in the Chinese language... make the best of life Rob!

 

[The Monkey Man]

It seems difficult to give up something you love to do...

But you have the right attitude, and having a different set of goals
to follow will save any physical pain, and help compensate for any
emotional/mental difficulty this lifestyle change may create for you...

Put it all down on paper...
You are older and smarter,
formulate that new plan to keep in shape and follow it...

Good luck -

 

[maniclion]

I'm only 28 but I get small injuries to my wrists, knees and back all the time, of course I did play 6 years of football, used to race dirt bikes, lifted weights on/off since my teens plus as a kid I was always a daredevil jumping off the roof of my house or out of trees, over fences, skateboarding. Now when I wake some mornings and feel like an old man I ask "Was it worth it? Hell yeah it was!

 

[P-funk]

It seems difficult to give up something you love to do...

But you have the right attitude, and having a different set of goals
to follow will save any physical pain, and help compensate for any
emotional/mental difficulty this lifestyle change may create for you...

Put it all down on paper...
You are older and smarter,
formulate that new plan to keep in shape and follow it...

Good luck -

I agree. It is difficult. I think at some point all of us who lift hard and/or compete will have to come to that fork in the road. Whenever I see or hear someone say they are bowing out of the game for less intensity to preserve their body and health it kills me because I know at some point the same thing will happen to me. I just don't want to see it go.

 

[Arnold]

I agree. It is difficult. I think at some point all of us who lift hard and/or compete will have to come to that fork in the road. Whenever I see or hear someone say they are bowing out of the game for less intensity to preserve their body and health it kills me because I know at some point the same thing will happen to me. I just don't want to see it go.

yup, how old are you?

 

[P-funk]

yup, how old are you?

26.

 

[Arnold]

eh, you have many years ahead...just be careful.

 

[P-funk]

eh, you have many years ahead...just be careful.

lol, olympic lifting really beats the joints into the ground. it is just so much damn fun!

 

[Arnold]

lol, olympic lifting really beats the joints into the ground. it is just so much damn fun!

my momma always said it is only fun until someone gets hurt!

 

[jaim91]

Good luck with your future! And please stay close to the forums, we need you! You've been a tremendous help

 

[ZECH]

My back has bothered me for the last two years. Certainly the squats have went way down. I have an old injury that keeps me and my chiro good friends. so I know what you mean Rob. I think you will find it will be easier to maintain your muscle than you think.

 

[PreMier]

Always gotta look out fr number one.

 

[Andy_Massaro]

You're a good guy man, and I understand what you're doing. I want to thank you for making this site because it's been a huge inspiration for me. I wish nothing but the best for you man!

ditto that

 

[eastbaylifter]

Best of luck to you Robert. You're a class act. Your health should always come first and I'm sure you're going to still be looking and feeling awesome 40 years from now.

 

[NeilPearson]

I am 32 and just started lifting about 4 months ago. I have never had back pain in my life until about 2 months ago when I developed sciatica. I went to a chiropractor and she said I had a compressed disk L5/S1 (this seems to be the popular one)

It only hurts when I go from sitting to standing or standing to sitting. Once I'm in position, there is no pain though. The chiropractor wasn't able to do anything. She said it just wasn't moving like it should. She would put it in place and it helped some but a few hours later it would just be back again. Maybe it didn't help that I continued to weight train and do martial arts classes and play hockey throughout this... but I'm not really willing to give it all up.

I'm not sure what to do. It's not getting worse but it's not getting better either. Sucks to have happened only 2 months after I decided to make a difference in my life and exercise.

 

[Arnold]

I'm not sure what to do. It's not getting worse but it's not getting better either. Sucks to have happened only 2 months after I decided to make a difference in my life and exercise.

get an MRI.

 

[Mudge]

my momma always said it is only fun until someone gets hurt!

Then its fun-ny!! When its not you

 

[Flex]

Wow.

Well Rob, best of luck to ya. I'm sure you'll take all the drive and passion you put into BB and apply it to other aspects of your life.

You certainly have much better self-control than I do. I'm gonna die with a barbell in my hand.

 

[ihateschoolmt]

How are you planning to loose that 20 pounds of muscle? There are some fun ways to do that.

 

[Flex]

How are you planning to loose that 20 pounds of muscle? There are some fun ways to do that.

It's called crack.

And it smells like dogfood tastes.....................delicious

 

[JerseyDevil]

Best of luck Rob. I turned 50 a few days ago.... 18 months back, I was rocking. With the help of a few goodies I might add Then my left elbow went awol, so I slowed down. Deadlifts that once felt great, now seem to 'tweak' my lower back. Heavy squats are a thing of the past. Lately, my left knee hurts like a bitch, and that is just from walking (need to see the ortho).

Just want to say, I can relate. You have an awesome site here! Maybe we can start a "Over the Hill, Walking Wounded" category.

I love working out, and it is getting harder to do so. We need a site like this to inspire.