I'm Back... Doing VRT

[Hank_Z]

When I joined Transformetrics about 2 1/2 years ago, I got carried away with trying to do too much too fast. I was 59 years of age, which makes me 61 now. Even though John, Greg, and many helpful members emphasized the importance of increasing the amount of exercise gradually, I didn't listen well.

I was dead set on being able to do a lot of push-ups. And that led to a shoulder injury that took almost nine months to get diagnosed accurately. (I live in a tiny town in Costa Rica, and getting good medical care is not easy.) I used to play some tournament tennis and injured my shoulder badly several times. Seems like I have a tendency towards shoulder injuries.

After getting the correct diagnosis and doing rehabilitation for my shoulder, I made a couple of half-hearted attempts to get back into VRT, DVR, isometrics, and wall push-ups. Half-hearted doesn't work for me.

Yesterday I started my VRT program again. While I know that isometrics and other weight-free exercises can work well, I'm focused on keeping things simple and safe this time. My personality tends to be obsessive-compulsive, so this will require discipline on my part.

Heck, if I had "just" started with VRT and stuck with it from the beginning, I'd have almost 2 1/2 years of results right now. Regardless of what anyone else was doing and posting about.

One observation from yesterday and today's VRT workouts. Yesterday I did the workout from Greg's video; I relied on notes I'd taken when I first watched the VRT video. Today I did the exercise routing "with" Greg... via the video. I felt like I got a much better workout by watching the video and exercising "with" Greg this morning. So that's what I'll do at least the next week. I want to get into a good routine.

I also want to keep it simple by doing just one set of VRT exercises like Greg demonstrates on the video. As he says, it's fine to do two or more sets. When I get to the point where doing two sets feels totally right to me, I'll probably make that change.

I now know from experience the importance of exercising effectively, regularly, and safely. Sometime in the future I'll add some isometrics, but in moderation. If anyone notice my obsessive personality emerging through posts about my doing push-ups ... feel free to "slap me"! :)

Thanks to everyone for being here. Encouragement is great when I'm exercising alone.

Hank

[MikeNY]

Welcome back watching the Video as you exercise is a great idea. Once you feel in tune then try a mirror, VRT was hard for me at the beginning. I used a 4 foot red oak staff as a barbell and did some dumbell exercises using two wooden foot rollers (new & clean ones). Once I was use to it then I could do it without the red oak barbell. The first exercise that worked without the wooden barbell was the curl, once that worked I was on the road!

[VRT Man]

Hank, welcome back, and thanks for the good report on your history with VRT.

I've never had a tendon or ligament injury since doing VRT, and I, being close to you in age (will be 59 in 3 months), would stay at the one-set limit you mentioned. I get and maintain a maximum pump in one set. That's all I need right now.

I still use a bar now and then like MikeNY does. Use a 6 foot wooden closet pole. I often do a pure "dumbbell" exercise, using two 7-inch closet pole pieces, one for each hand. A million variations can be done with 'em.

Glad you're posting, and let us know of your progress on regular intervals!

Greg Mangan
VRT Man

[Hank_Z]

Mike and Greg,

Thanks to both of you for the warm welcome back. I appreciate your suggestion about using a bar or pole once in awhile. That definitely makes sense. Even in Costa Rica, I'm sure I can get a wooden pole or bar.

Greg, thanks for the recommendation about sticking to one set. You have the experience, and you obviously picked on my personality trait that can lead to me over-doing it.

And it's nice to be back!

[MikeNY]

Must admit I still sometimes use my red oak staff as a barbell, and when doing VRT Dumbell training the two wooden foot rollers make perfect dumbells to focus with.

Good advise Greg! Hank good to see you back.

Use VRT resistance machines (Smith Machine, Pulleys and Fly Machine) as well as barbell, dumbells and treadmill, elliptical trainer and stair climbers. Hank now you can have any machine you want! Once you are well you have your whole new VRT Gym thanks to Greg.

[Andy62]

VRT/DVR and all forms of physiological exercise are the ultimate self training program for every stage and situation of life. They train both your conscious and subconscious minds at the same time which includes every part of your self. We live in a world of change and these exercises can be adjusted to your situation whatever it is and wherever you are. As you are exposed to different situations, constantly be asking yourself how you feel to keep improving your self monitoring and adjusting your internal guidance system. In addition to your age and other physiological factors also consider external factors and stressors such as personal relationships, job and financial changes and threats as well as other similar pressures. No other form of training coordinates your conscious and subconscious minds and teaches them to work together for you like physiological exercise .

[Hank_Z]

I'm back reporting my progress.

1. After doing one set of the Greg's VRT routing each of the first two days, I started to do VRT... with light tension... again yesterday. I felt so tired that I just quit about 1/3 of the way through the routine.

That was smarter than what I would have probably done before. I'd like to do VRT every single day, because during my entire adult life I've done extremely well with things that I've made a daily habit. If I miss even one day, it's been hard to get back on track again.

In this case, I recognized how tired my muscles were and stopped and then went back to the VRT routine today.

2. This morning I used Greg's VRT video and also took the advice Mike and Greg had given me. They suggested I use some type of pole to simulate a barbell and smaller objects to simulate a hand weight or handle of a weight machine.

I already had a walking staff that I use here in Costa Rica. I used it to simulate a barbell. For "dumb-bells", I did NOT go macho! All I could find quickly were two new packages of "Charmin To Go" tissues in dispensers that have an oval type shape.

Bottom line: Using these props helped even more than I would have guessed. I thought I had been imagining immensely heavy objects well... but my simulated barbell and dumb-bells helped a lot.

3. Gordon, thanks for your note about keeping in mind my age, physiological, and other factors. Yes, the past year or so has been harder than usual both physiologically and psychologically. I'm finally feel terrific physically... and that's done a world of good for the way I feel emotionally. I'm grateful to have these VRT tools that will help me in various ways as you described.

Thanks again for the encouragement and advice! I fell absolutely terrific after this morning's long walk and VRT workout.