Rollercoaster of a week!

Yep, as the title states, that's basically what it's been for me. Maybe I was (possibly am) suffering from burnout; job related, work related, hell, maybe even life related! I've always (almost always anyways) prided myself on being a positive person. Lately, I have found myself being the opposite. For the most part, my mood is good, but when it's bad, it's bad, and I really don't like myself. A few things that I think may be contributing: First, TOO MUCH DAMN SPARE TIME! Oh, don't be fooled, you read that right. You see, I'm a firefighter/paramedic and have the luxury of working 24hr shifts with 48hrs off, a great schedule. The problem is that when I'm at work and not running calls, I'm doing the exact same thing I do at home, sit in the recliner, watch T.V., maybe read, maybe get up and stretch or even workout a little. I know, I know, I could be training right, doing something productive toward the job, yeah, whatever, that's all well and good, and we do a lot of that, physical training, fire training, EMS training, etc. etc. Most of the time though, it is BUSY work, boring, mundane busy work. Believe it or not, I actually like it when my day starts off with a bang and we're knocking off calls left and right. What I hate, is not running any calls all day, then getting some BS call at dinner time or right before or during bed. But hey, that's the nature of the business and the profession that at this current time, I have chosen. I try REAL HARD not to complain, because I hate whiners, so why become one? My father was right however about this, "Idleness is the devil's workshop." That statement is so true. I truly believe that evil stems from sitting around doing nothing and constantly being unproductive in society. As I've said before, I'm not a staunch, right-wing Republican nor am I a loony, left-wing Democrat, but hey, fuck you socialists!

Which brings me to my next, kinda, sorta burnout, the shitty economy. Ok, maybe not that shitty (this country has seen worse), but shitty enough for me to first handedly see the effects. I, personally, am grateful that I have a job and am fortunate to collect a paycheck, but paying the bills has become somewhat harder. Harder even still, is watching and knowing that my parents and in-laws who have spent far more time at this game of life than I, are slowly losing their retirement and are having to "make rearrangements." That sucks, they shouldn't have to do that. They should be looking forward to the day they retire and excited to move on to the next half of life, the half of life that I continue to think for myself, will be better than this one, even though I'm in my youth.

And finally, my workouts. Yep, they've been sucking lately, and really this is the one area that I have the most control over yet repeatedly continue to ignore my body and push through fatigue (not the good fatigue) and pain. As a result, I've had to take some days off from various movements and progressions. Did me some good though, but, I'd rather do a little each day, have fun, and not suffer the mood swings that accompany chronic pain, fatigue and burnout. I dabbled in a workout this past Monday while at work, it sucked. Tuesday, I hit it fairly hard but was unmotivated and it as not fun, hence, it sucked. Did a light, "loosening up" workout on Wednesday, getting better. Thursday, at work and rested, good day. And today, was probably one of the best workout days I've had in a while. Again, as I've said before, I will be changing some things.

Monday 2/23/09

At work, messed around with pull-ups, inverted PU's, some handstands, some levers, that's it really. Not very productive and not very good. I'm done working out at work.

Tuesday 2/24/09

Gymnastic progressions

PPPU's with feet on wall: 6x5
Adv front tuck lever PU's: 8x8 seconds
Standing wheel rollouts, Standing one-arm wheel rollouts with assistance.

Full ROM HSPU's on parallettes:3x2
L-sit PU's: 3x5

V-sits: 8x8 seconds
Tuck back lever holds: 8x8 seconds

Unmotivated and I hurt, uncomfortable.

Wednesday 2/25/09

Boxed 6 - 5 minute rounds (MMA style) core work beforehand. A nice, loosening up workout.

Thursday 2/26/09

Rest day, at work. Needed this

Friday 2/27/09

Ah, yes, the ultimate, natural workout! Surfed, with my buddy Pete, in cold-ass water for approx. 3 hours. Caught some great waves today. Later in the day did:

...kind of a Barry Ross "speed workout."

Kettlebell one-arm press: 1x3 at 53lbs. 1x3 at 58lbs., 1x3 at 63lbs., 1x1 at 65.5 lbs. 5 minutes rest between sets

Deadlifts: 1x5 at 300lbs., 1x3 at 315lbs., 1x2 at 330lbs., 1x1 at 355lbs., 1x1 at 370lbs. (PR) 5 minutes rest between sets.

Standing wheel rollouts: 4x5

Played around with handstands and front levers, almost can hold a straddle front lever, after taking 4 days off.

Upon completion of this workout, I felt so invigorated and fresh. WOW, today was a good day, but an even better end to a roller coaster of a week!