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Wise words! One other thing to this is to always deload properly after a break. Just let the first session back be easy as, way easier than you might feel like.

Wise words! One other thing to this is to always deload properly after a break. Just let the first session back be easy as, way easier than you might feel like. Letting go of the ego of pushing out numbers is key to learning to listen to the body. You'll probably still feel it the next day nonetheless, when you can go again with a slight increment. Keep this up and before you know it you're back to where you were. Also this whole thread is great. Weightlifting is the best medicine bar none for this middle aged mostly desk bound programmer. It has immense mental health benefits as well.

saiya-jin 7y ago
Climbing outdoors on rock is definitely better and more beautiful/recharging. But for most this can't be done easily before/during/after work, so we do what we can
- sundvor 7y ago
  Or mountain bike riding.. but yes, absolutely.
xwowsersx 7y ago
> Weightlifting is the best medicine bar none for this middle aged mostly desk bound programmer. Couldn't agree more. Loaded compound movements are just unreasonably effective. A nice added bonus (I find) is the therapeutic aspect of lifting. I think some of it is simply that it's almost a form of meditation in the sense that you block out all other thoughts and are focused on just on the movement and your own body. Not to get too melodramatic about it, but squatting in particular teaches you mental toughness and is a great metaphor for life: you shoulder a burden and when you get down (the descent) you dig deep to come back up again.
- sundvor 7y ago
  I like that metaphor. Squatting is the integral part of my routine, either for heavy with 5x5 stronglifts or for reps/volume as a warm up when doing a shorter/lighter arm filler day session. For me the hardest exercise is still probably the deadlift, fortunately doesn't come up every day. ;) I have a garage setup, so trying to work out 5-6 days a week by mixing it up. The rack, flat bench, Olympic barbell + ez bar, plates, rubber mats is truly everything I need - and all for less than a highest end phone. It will last my lifetime, and extend it as well. (I ride to work for cardio.) And yes, the lifting feels like such a relief compared to dealing with family or work. It's amazing how much it can clear the mind.
  - xwowsersx 7y ago
    I'm so jealous of your garage setup, it sounds awesome. Squats have been my "problem lift" since I started, but I still absolutely love them and am FINALLY making good progress again after changing some things. I have decent morphology for deadlifting so I'm a much better deadlifter than I am squatter (my max for DL is ~30% more than my best squat:(). Bench is absolutely abysmal haha.

saiya-jin 7y ago

Climbing outdoors on rock is definitely better and more beautiful/recharging. But for most this can't be done easily before/during/after work, so we do what we can

sundvor 7y ago
Or mountain bike riding.. but yes, absolutely.

xwowsersx 7y ago

> Weightlifting is the best medicine bar none for this middle aged mostly desk bound programmer. Couldn't agree more. Loaded compound movements are just unreasonably effective. A nice added bonus (I find) is the therapeutic aspect of lifting. I think some of it is simply that it's almost a form of meditation in the sense that you block out all other thoughts and are focused on just on the movement and your own body. Not to get too melodramatic about it, but squatting in particular teaches you mental toughness and is a great metaphor for life: you shoulder a burden and when you get down (the descent) you dig deep to come back up again.

sundvor 7y ago
I like that metaphor. Squatting is the integral part of my routine, either for heavy with 5x5 stronglifts or for reps/volume as a warm up when doing a shorter/lighter arm filler day session. For me the hardest exercise is still probably the deadlift, fortunately doesn't come up every day. ;) I have a garage setup, so trying to work out 5-6 days a week by mixing it up. The rack, flat bench, Olympic barbell + ez bar, plates, rubber mats is truly everything I need - and all for less than a highest end phone. It will last my lifetime, and extend it as well. (I ride to work for cardio.) And yes, the lifting feels like such a relief compared to dealing with family or work. It's amazing how much it can clear the mind.
- xwowsersx 7y ago
  I'm so jealous of your garage setup, it sounds awesome. Squats have been my "problem lift" since I started, but I still absolutely love them and am FINALLY making good progress again after changing some things. I have decent morphology for deadlifting so I'm a much better deadlifter than I am squatter (my max for DL is ~30% more than my best squat:(). Bench is absolutely abysmal haha.