It was over a month before I could workout again.
I take good care of my body, making sure that I’m healthy and fit. During my daily workouts, I focus on endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. I have no trouble keeping a decent pace on a ten-mile run. I frequently cycle, kayak, swim, hike and jump rope. I also tend to push my muscles too far. I suffer from frequent aches and pains. Last summer, I tackled a sizable renovation project. I gutted the laundry room down to the bare studs. This provided the opportunity to add more power outlets, replace the water and drain lines and improve insulation and ventilation. I invested into a new window and modern fixtures. Hanging drywall on the ceiling proved really difficult. Although I cut the sheets in half, they were still heavy and awkward. I needed to hold the drywall in place with my left hand and the top of my head while I worked the drill with my right hand. While I was doing it, my back hurt. I should have quit. Instead, I finished the job. By the end of the night, I was in so much pain that I could no longer sit up. I later figured out that I’d strained my trapezius muscle. The upper left side of my back swelled up and turned purple. I couldn’t get off the couch for three weeks. I had no choice but lie flat on my back. I used ice and took pain pills and required help to wash my hair. It was over a month before I could workout again. I was able to ride the stationary bike with no resistance for fifteen minutes. It was several more weeks before I could jump rope or go for a run. That injury was a major setback in my fitness.