Monday, September 5, 2016

Home PT Week 8 Sep 5th - Sep 9th 2016

Home Physical Therapy Week of
Monday September 5th - Friday September 9th 2016: 

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Update - I'm focusing on strengthening my core so I will no longer being exercising my abs 3 times a week with only 1 day rest in between.  I don't know anyone that squats or does any other strength routine every other day so why do this with my core?  You have to give your muscles some rest between workouts and I'm actively trying to get my core stronger.  This means I will be continuing to strengthen my core with 2 workouts a week - Mondays and Thursdays so I have sufficient time in between for recovery.  1 day rest between workouts was not enough nor was it practical. 

Home Physical Therapy session 30 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Monday 9/5/16.  Increasing sets repetitions and time on certain exercises.  


Hip ups:
2 set of 35 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.  This was an overall increase of 10 reps. 


Side Planks:
2 sets on each side for a 50 seconds.   Increase of 10 seconds overall for each side and these are still difficult.


Side leg raises
2 sets each leg 30 repetitions.  This was an overall increase of 15 reps for each leg.  




Plank. 

4 sets for 90 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.  I am getting stronger in this area as the first 2 sets are not so bad anymore - just the last 2.   


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

4 sets 90 seconds each.  I'm getting tired/bored of this exercise so I will be looking to replace it with something different next week.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  


Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  2 sets of 45 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.  This was an overall increase of 30 reps.  
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.


Mountain Climbers:  


3 sets of 45 seconds each.  Hands on the ground - feet flat and pull my knees to chest repeatedly for 45 seconds. 



Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.    

Today's time -   53 minutes including rest between sets which varied from 30 seconds to 1 minute.  I think I may have rested a bit more between some sets today going the full 1 minute rest to 1 minute 30 seconds rest. 

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Wednesday 9/7/2016
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.
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Home Physical Therapy session 31 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Thursday 9/8/16.  Increasing sets repetitions and time on certain exercises.  


Hip ups:
3 set of 40 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.  This was an increase of 1 extra set and more reps = total of 50 extra reps. 


Side Planks:
2 sets on each side for a 60 seconds.   Increase of 10 seconds overall for each side. 


Side leg raises
2 sets each leg 45 repetitions.  This was an overall increase of 30 reps for each leg.  




Plank. 

4 sets for 90 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.  I am getting stronger in this area as the first 2 sets are not so bad anymore - just the last 2.   


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

1 sets 90 seconds.


Rocking Planks - 1 set for 90 seconds.

Plank position and slowly rock back and forth working the abdominal muscles.


Leg raises - 1 set for 90 seconds.




Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  2 sets of 50 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.  This was an overall increase of 10 reps.  
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.


Mountain Climbers:  


3 sets of 45 seconds each.  Hands on the ground - feet flat and pull my knees to chest repeatedly for 45 seconds. 



Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did a 5 minute pelvic tilt hold.  Occasionally I would relax back to normal for a second and then go back to the tilt hold.  This was for 5 minutes.   

Today's time -   54 minutes including rest between sets which varied from 30 seconds to 1 minute. 


Thursday, September 1, 2016

Return to the mat - week 4

Today marked the 1 month return to the mat teaching 2 BJJ classes each week and live training.  I'm happy to write that I've been able to consistently increase my mat time each week.  Today was four 5 minute rounds.  I'm still being careful but again I realize I'm not being careful enough.  It's common place in jiu jitsu to overdo it when you have someone trying to choke or armlock you in terms of your response.  Looking back on each match and I can see where that happened.  Thankfully, I feel ok this morning except for this pesky calf muscle cramp.  I got one last week and it returned again tonight but even stronger.  Time to do some research on muscle cramps. 

Monday, August 29, 2016

Home PT Week 7 Aug 29th - Sept 2nd 2016

Home Physical Therapy Week of
Monday August 29 - Friday September 2nd 2016: 

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Home Physical Therapy day 27 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Monday 8/29/16.  Change up for this week - changing exercises, reps and sets.  


Hip ups:
3 set of 20 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.


Side Planks:
2 sets on each side for a 45 seconds.   These are tough.


Side leg raises
1 set each leg 45 repetitions.  




Plank. 

4 sets for 90 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.  These were really tough today making it all the way to 90 seconds.  1st set was relatively easy but set 3 and 4 not so much.  


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

4 sets 90 seconds each.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  


Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  2 sets of 30 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.  
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.  50 reps in a row.  I tried putting my hands on my hips to help remember to tilt them but it is still somewhat difficult to hold the pelvic tilt during the bridge.

Mountain Climbers:  


3 sets of 45 seconds each.  Hands on the ground - feet flat and pull my knees to chest repeatedly for 45 seconds. 



Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.  I pushed the pace tonight and cut 1 minute off my average time from 45 minutes to 44 minutes.

Today's workout took exactly 50 minutes including rest between sets which varied from 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Home Physical Therapy day 28 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Wednesday 8/31/16.  Change up for this week - changing exercises, reps and sets.  


Hip ups:
3 set of 20 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.


Side Planks:
2 sets on each side for a 45 seconds.   These are tough.


Side leg raises
1 set each leg 45 repetitions .  




Plank. 

4 sets for 90 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.  These were really tough today making it all the way to 90 seconds.  1st set was relatively easy but set 3 and 4 not so much.  


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

4 sets 90 seconds each.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  


Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  2 sets of 30 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.  
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.  50 reps in a row.  I tried putting my hands on my hips to help remember to tilt them but it is still somewhat difficult to hold the pelvic tilt during the bridge.

Mountain Climbers:  


3 sets of 45 seconds each.  Hands on the ground - feet flat and pull my knees to chest repeatedly for 45 seconds. 



Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.  Tonight's session was particularly difficult as it was done at 10 pm after a long night at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  

Today's time -  roughly 50 minutes including rest between sets which varied from 30 seconds to 1 minute.




Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Return to the mat - week 3

     This is my 3rd time back on the mat teaching 2 BJJ classes and participating in the grappling.  Each week I've had a goal of increasing my mat time.  1st week was one 5 minute round, last week was two five minute rounds and today was three 5 minute rounds.  I'm happy to say that all 3 rounds tonight went well except for a cramp in my calf muscle.  I probably didn't drink enough water today.
I'm excited to be back on the mat and I look forward to next week.  I'm also very blessed to have such amazing training partners!

Monday, August 22, 2016

Home PT week 6 Aug 22nd - Aug 26th 2016

Home Physical Therapy Week of
Monday August 22nd - Friday August 26th 2016: 

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Home Physical Therapy day 24 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Monday 8/22/2016.  Each week I have been steadily increasing the repetitions and lengths of my exercises and today was no exception!  I have also been averaging between 30-50 seconds rest between sets.  I timed my session today and with the increase in times and reps my overall workout lasted 45 minutes.  


Hip ups:
Increase of 5 today.  1 set of 35 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.


Side Planks:
Increase of 15 seconds.  1 set on each side for a 60 seconds.  This 15 second increase was much more difficult then I was expecting.  I may be at this time for a few weeks! 



Side leg raises
Increase of 5.  1 set each leg 40 repetitions.  






Plank. 

Increase of 10 today. 4 sets of 80 seconds.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.  I find it harder to hold it from the elbow and easier to use the pushup position.  After today's sets - 90 seconds is looking difficult!    


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

Increase of 10 today.  4 sets 80 seconds each.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  This was done for 4 sets of 80 seconds.


Isometric hands against knees:   Both knees at the same time (different from picture below)
I find this exercise to be one of the more difficult exercises to do correctly the whole time.  It is easy to get tired and then decrease the pressure you are putting on your knees.  Doing this exercise towards the end of my session today made this even harder. 


Increase of 5 today.  4 sets of 70 seconds each.  Hands crossed right over left, straight, hands to side and 4th set left over right. 



Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  Increase of 5 today.  50 reps and it was same as above but instead of pressing my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.  50 reps in a row.  I tried putting my hands on my hips to help remember to tilt them but it is still somewhat difficult to hold the pelvic tilt during the bridge. I think 1/2 the time I'm doing regular bridges.


Pelvic tilts:  

 
Increase of 5 today.  While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.

I'm not sure if I was just tired today or if I'm hitting a plateau or sticking point but today was really tough.  A 45 minute abdominal workout had me thinking that I might not be able to increase any more.  Maybe after this week it will be time to do a complete change up again?  I hope I can complete this workout Wednesday.

Leave a comment if you want to talk to me about BJJ and Spondylolisthesis and I'll get back to you.

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Home Physical Therapy day 25 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Wednesday 8/24/16.  After teaching two BJJ classes tonight, I came home and forced myself to do my home PT session.  It was tough tonight and my time showed it.  I ended up resting more then normal between sets.  Monday total time was 45 minutes.  Tonight was 47 minutes. 


Hip ups:
1 set of 35 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.


Side Planks:
1 set on each side for a 60 seconds.   I hate these so I guess that means I really need them.


Side leg raises
1 set each leg 40 repetitions .  






Plank. 

4 sets for 80 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.    


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

4 sets 80 seconds each.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  This was done for 4 sets of 80 seconds.


Isometric hands against knees:   Both knees at the same time (different from picture below)
I found a way to make this harder or maybe I should say more beneficial.  In the past, I find myself sometimes cupping my knees and therefore holding on to them which makes it slightly easier.  Today I made sure to not hold on to my knees but to only press against them.  Much harder. 

4 sets of 70 seconds each.  Hands crossed right over left, straight, hands to side and 4th set left over right. 



Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  1 set of 50 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.  50 reps in a row.  I tried putting my hands on my hips to help remember to tilt them but it is still somewhat difficult to hold the pelvic tilt during the bridge. I think 1/2 the time I'm doing regular bridges.


Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.  Friday's session is going to me tough.

Home Physical Therapy day 26 - Spondylolisthesis BJJ
Friday 8/26/16.  I pushed the pace tonight and was able to shave 1 minute off my average time.  Tonight was 44 minutes. 


Hip ups:
1 set of 35 reps.  Pushing off the ground and raise my butt/hips off the ground like a reverse crunch.


Side Planks:
1 set on each side for a 60 seconds.   I hate these so I guess that means I really need them.


Side leg raises
1 set each leg 40 repetitions .  






Plank. 

4 sets for 80 seconds each.  All 4 sets were from the elbows.    


Deadbug abdominal exercise: 

4 sets 80 seconds each.  Similar to a modified bicycle crunch but instead of bring your elbow to your knee - you kept your arm straight and it went back behind your head as the knee came up and then switched for the other knee.  This was done for 4 sets of 80 seconds. 


Bridges with pelvic tilt hold.  1 set of 50 reps where I press my low back into the table I hold the pelvic tilt and bridge lifting my hips off the table.   I changed up the order tonight so that my abs would have a small rest between deadbugs and isometric knee presses. 
I held this bridge in the air for a count of 1 and then back down and relax for 1.  50 reps in a row.  I tried putting my hands on my hips to help remember to tilt them but it is still somewhat difficult to hold the pelvic tilt during the bridge. I think 1/2 the time I'm doing regular bridges.


Isometric hands against knees:   Both knees at the same time (different from picture below)
I found a way to make this harder or maybe I should say more beneficial.  In the past, I find myself sometimes cupping my knees and therefore holding on to them which makes it slightly easier.  Today I made sure to not hold on to my knees but to only press against them.  Much harder. 

4 sets of 70 seconds each.  Hands crossed right over left, straight, hands to side and 4th set left over right. 



Pelvic tilts:  

 
While lying on the floor I did 50 pelvic tilts holding each tilt while pressing my lower back into the table and making my core tight.  I held each tilt for a count of 10 then release and rest for 1 or 2 seconds.  I pushed the pace tonight and cut 1 minute off my average time from 45 minutes to 44 minutes.