2022 In-Depth Blog Post #3

Project Progress
Since my last blog post, I have been focusing on my recovery. I have been talking to my recovery specialists and adapting my fitness regimens so I can follow them without aggravating my back too much. I decided to take a little break from intense physical activity once my back started to flare up. It began to feel better so I started to ramp up the intensity, but it did cause it to flare up again. After this incident, I had to focus on my recovery. I did my physio exercises as much as I could and was slowly able to work my way back into a level of physical activity that was a little familiar. Once my back was feeling a little better I began implementing fitness plans weekly. These included tons of stretching, strengthening, and cardio. It was challenging at times to stay consistent, but I managed to get into a routine that made it a little easier.

I have also been doing related reading and research as well as meeting with my mentor. In the most recent meeting that I had with my mentor, we talked about the introduction of physical activity back into my routine. How that was going and what the next steps will possibly look like. He said that we would continue to work on personal fitness but I need to make sure that I listen to the recommendations from my physiotherapists. I agree with this and it links back to the conversation we had about balance, which you can read about later in this post.

Change in Plans
A while ago, I was hoping to start the creation and implementation of personalized fitness plans. I have not been able to do that yet because I began having issues with my back. I took a step back from physical activity relating to this project as well as my fitness practices. This was very unfortunate timing for my back pain to flare up. I was supposed to start implementing my research from this project, I was supposed to play my first high school rugby game, and I am not sure how this will affect my ability to go on the adventure trips later this spring.
I used spring break to think about ways that I could shift the direction of my project again. I did not want to scratch the entire plan I had for the project, so I looked for ways to adapt what I already had. I have decided to focus on the same skill but focus a little more on my recovery and adapt the creation of the fitness plans to what my body needs at that time.

I expected that I would have started with the mental health portion by now. However, with the time that I have spent on recovery, I have not been able to implement the fitness portion to the extent that I would have liked to. Since my last blog post, I have been focusing on a mix of recovery and the fitness aspect of my project. I feel that I have made great progress in implementing the fitness recovery plans that I have received from my recovery specialists. I have also been working on creating my fitness plans. It has been challenging to change my idea of what this project would be. I thought I would have worked at a faster pace than this, though with the occurrence of my back pain I have had to take a different route. My idea of what I am physically able to take on has had to change. I have had to listen to my body more and adapt my approach to this project’s tasks.

At first, I was a little shocked by the changes the issues with my back presented me with. However, after spending some time coming to terms with it, I have realized that this has better prepared me to learn to create a personalized health and fitness plans. Before I would have created a fitness plan based on what I know I am capable of. Now it is like I have been given a different body to learn about and accommodate my knowledge to. I have done my best to stay on track, but I am going to take this next week to continue my focus on learning how to create fitness plans based on how my body feels at the time. I have had a few weeks of practice with this already, but I would like to continue to do this for a little longer.

 

Q&A
Skill Specific Questions

What is one thing you notice that separates people who have a successful injury recovery and those who do not?
With the new direction of my in-depth, I came up with this question to the specialists that I am seeing to assist my recovery.

Massage:
When talking to my massage therapist, we talked about the importance of consistency. It is important to stay consistent in your recovery efforts. If you were to perfectly follow your recovery plan one week and not make any effort to do so the next week, you are not going to see the same results as if you were consistent. Consistency does not have to be perfection 100% of the time. It is much better to make consistent steps in the right direction than to make inconsistent efforts towards a goal. I like to relate the mindset to the saying “slow and steady wins the race.” The importance of consistency is applicable in my recovery process because I am not the most consistent person when it comes to doing the recommended exercises for my recovery. While working towards a full recovery, you need to commit to your recovery plan and make sure you stay on top of the recommendations given to you. Since this discussion, I have done a lot better at staying consistent. I have realized that taking small steps in the right direction every day is better than taking big steps on some days and none on others.

Physio:
When I asked this question to my physiotherapist, he mentioned two main points. He said that science has shown that people who were consistently active from a young age before injury have been shown to have a more successful recovery, whether it be from a heart attack, knee injury, or a stroke. This could be because they were in better physical condition when the injury happened. It may also be a result of having a level of physicality that they want to get back to. This is also related to his next point that he has noticed that people are more likely to make a successful recovery when they go into it with a positive mindset and belief they can get better. In his experience, he has noticed that those who

Mentor:
My mentor’s main point while answering this question was the importance of balance. Learning how to balance rehabilitation and maintaining physical ability. To make any progress in the recovery process it is important to take a break and rest. Though it is important to try to find ways to implement physical activity into your life. Being able to gradually increase physical activity throughout recovery while making sure not to push too hard is a skill that I have been learning over the process of managing my back pain. The reason to keep doing physical activity is that when you are ready to fully get back into your regular fitness practices you will be able to integrate it back into your life easier. Whereas if you were to stop all forms of physical activity, getting back into routines will be a shock to the system.

Mentorship Specific Questions
What has been my most difficult mentoring challenge so far? Why?
The most difficult part of working with my mentor has been shifting our already existing mentor-mentee dynamic to fit with this project. Before working on this project, our dynamic was exclusively coach and athlete. He was my mentor both on and off the pitch. I learned a lot from his lessons, stories, and experiences. In the beginning, it was extremely exciting to take the dynamic that already exists and have to shift it into a new light. I was ready to work with my mentor in a way the process is mostly determined by me. Although this was great and my mentor was extremely flexible, it was a little strange shifting dynamic. I have never been the best at dealing with change and working with my mentor on my in-depth this year was a big change for me. It was a good change though. I have learned a lot from my mentor that I do not think I would have otherwise. I have built a stronger personal connection with him and he is not there in more than one aspect of my life to motivate me and hold me accountable.

What is working well? Why?
What has been working well is the flexibility of myself and my mentor. Going into in-depth this year I had mixed feelings. I was excited to be pursuing an area of interest, though I knew there would be so much to learn which made me a little hesitant. There have been many fluctuations in specific areas I have focused on throughout the project and my mentor has been very accommodating to that. Since the issues with my back have increased I have had to adapt my approach to in-depth and be very flexible. My mentor has also been very supportive in helping me refocus my project. With the unexpected issues with my back, he has been able to assist me in the adaptation of my physical fitness routines. He has been very supportive and inspired me to stay flexible and motivated by setting a good example for me.

What could be working better? How can you make sure this happens?
My mentor has done his best to understand my project aspirations and does his best to help me achieve them. He also reminds me that he is always available, relating to this project, rugby, or an entirely different topic. With the shift of this project’s direction, communication between me and my mentor is more important than ever. I have been updating my mentor frequently on the conditions of my back as well as what I have been able to do as a part of my physical fitness routines. My last meeting with my mentor took place after I participated in the highest intensity activity that I have had in a month and a half. It was good to talk about how I felt afterwards as well as how I will be able to move forward. What my mentor and I discussed; I will also have to discuss with the new physiotherapist I will be meeting with tomorrow. It will also be good to get input from a professional who specializes in what I am dealing with. I will be able to talk to her about if she sees me going on the spring adventure trips as well as if she sees me getting back into sports anytime soon.

Having this most recent meeting with my mentor was important to rediscuss the direction of the project. I needed to make sure that we were on the same page to make sure this shift in the direction of the project was as smooth as possible. I have noticed that my mentor and I have the most effective communication is always in person. I always prefer to talk to someone in person, so making sure that I meet with my mentor in person more often is important to the success of this project. I am going to do my best to abide by the commitment I made to myself at the beginning of in-depth, that I would meet with my mentor on a weekly or biweekly basis. I can make sure that I set myself up for success by planning meetings with my mentor for the week on the weekend. Contacting my mentor the weekend before gives them plenty of time and it also gives me time to prepare, especially if I am looking to meet later in the week.