Is Stronger Weaker?

Q:  "I'm stronger on one side than I am on the the other.  Should I do more weight on my weak side to compensate?"  

A:  Not usually.  However, if you notice VERY large differences in development or strength, it might be a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional.  There could be potentially serious underlying reasons for severe muscular imbalances (disease, nerve damage, injury, etc.).  Once cleared by your med pro, consider the following:

1 - Sometimes we develop imbalances due to form faults (cheats), or lack of experience on a particular movement.  Have a friend or trainer (we know some good ones) watch you do movements where you notice the most weakness occurring.  Maybe, another set of eyes will see these form faults and show you where you can make improvements.

2 - Weight machines are notorious for contributing to weak-side imbalances.  Weight machines give you very little feedback in terms of knowing whether or not you are pushing harder on one side vs. the other.  If you are working out with weight stacks to the exclusion of BBs and DBs, you have almost surely developed imbalances.  Not to mention a very poor quality of fitness devoid of functionality (HA! But, that is a subject for another post).  

3 - Prior injuries you've suffered may contribute to a lack of flexibility in certain joints.  This lack of flexibility may cause strong-side compensations.  Again, another set of eyes can help you discover this.  Have someone watch to make sure you aren't shorting the ROM (range of motion) on a particular side, or leaning away from an old injury.  If you are, it will be well to consult an expert to help you learn stretches to improve your functional flexibility.  

We are all naturally strong sided (right, or left handed).  Our dominant side usually dictates strength and development.  It is perfectly natural to be SLIGHTLY stronger/more developed on one side vs. another.  

When it comes to getting the most out of your workouts, balance is key.  Creating deliberate imbalances by going heavier on your slightly weaker side is more likely to mess things up, than it is to help.  

DVTs get worse? They Should Have a Sign for That.

by Neil Anderson
 

Had I known you need to seek treatment for a DVT, I like to think I would have gotten it. I knew DVTs were a thing. There are signs everywhere saying you can get them. I saw signs in the airport. I saw signs on the airplane. Hell, I even think the guy giving the announcements about buckling/unbuckling my seat belt and locating my floatation devices said something about getting up and moving about the cabin from time to time. I figured this was advice related to the DVT thing. What they don't tell you is what happens if you don't.

They should have a sign for that.

Come to find out, if you happen to develop a DVT while on a flight (or while any place else) you're in pretty serious trouble. It won't stop at just being a pain in your leg. And it won't go away on it's own. Not all the way away. You need treatment. If you don't get it treated it'll get worse. Like, pulmonary embolisms worse. It could mean the most excruciatingly painful three days (likely more - I was lucky) of your life and expensive hospital bills. That is, if you live through it. Not everyone does.   

Any of the above would have gotten my attention. Any of it would have made for a good sign.

In retrospect, a sign telling you to get your DVT treated seems redundant. The simple fact that the airlines are making such an understatement of this mysterious medical condition should have set my Spidey senses to tingling. Afterall the airlines coined the term "water landing." Sensational drama isn't really their strong point. That they even mentioned it - is a sign, right?

But honestly, I didn't know.

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Our flight to Tahiti on May 9th left from LAX at nearly midnight. Super cool, I thought, because I'd just get a good night's sleep and upon awakening, we'd be there! Glorious merriment would soon thereafter ensue! I was right. Slept like a babe (this is bad - I should have gotten up and moved around every hour) and glorious merriment, in fact, DID ensue with the dearest of friends. 

I was having way too much fun in this new land with old and new friends to pay much attention to that trifling pain behind my R calf. After a couple of days, it was all swollen and feavery (I feel certain this is a word). But it wasn't horrible. I've had WAY worse. And I didn't ignore it.

I mocked it.

I have cartoonish calves anyway, so to see one of them appearing all red and around 2X the size of the other - is kind of funny.

A couple of weeks later, it went away. Or, it seemed like it did.

Understand, it is in NO WAY hyperbole that I was able to "tough it out" due to the fact that I am generally impervious to pain and also rugged as hell. I'm a John Waynanite (Wayniac?). A man's man. I can't be bothered with something as frivolous as a bit of pain in a calf. Maybe I should also mention, a very small part of it might have had something to do with my uber sucky and expensive health insurance. Thanks Obama?

In case they don't post signs before your next flight, take this little story as a cautionary tale. A DVT is not something to be "toughed out." It isn't like a flu virus, or a sprained ankle. If you get one, or suspect you might have one, get on your horse ("hurry") and get it diagnosed & treated. Don't think, just because you workout you are not at risk of getting them, or of suffering complications from them. Trust me. You are. This can happen to you. 

If you ignore it, you'll be lucky to get of with just a lung infarction and multiple pulmonary emboli. You'll be lucky to discover a new "worst pain ever." You'll be lucky to give yourself daily shots and take pills that thin your blood and make you feel like crap (I hope that's why). You'll be lucky to forgo your favorite hobbies (like mountain biking) for several months for fear of crashing and bleeding out. You'll be lucky to get away with only scaring the holy living hell out of everyone who loves, or cares about you. You'll be lucky to find out that the medical staff at the local hospital is capable of saving your life, or that your doctor, who is a good friend, is a highly skilled healer and lifesaver (thanks AF & Lakeview hosp.). 

Yes, you'll be lucky to experience any of it, because if you aren't lucky - you'll be dead.

So, If you've got one, or even if you think you might - go get treated. Yes, yes it is much better to prevent them in the first place. It's the only smart thing to do, but this story isn't about prevention. There are plenty of places to learn about prevention (link below). All of which are more credible and complete than anything written here. This is a cautionary tale for the dudes and chicks who think they are too tough (read "have bad insurance") to get a seemingly inconsequential little pain in the calf looked at. 

Now, who do we have to talk to about getting those signs made? 

How to Prevent DVTs on Your Next Flight

Dear McDonald's - I Break Up

Dear McDonald's, 

Hi, it's me. Look, we need to talk. This isn't working anymore. You know it. I know it. This isn't easy to say since we've been together for so long.

I BREAK UP.

I want to say, "It's not you, it's me" - but it's totally you. Not to be rude, but you take yourself too seriously now. You walk around all high and mighty acting like someone you aren't. I just can't stand you anymore. We both know the real you. It isn't like you've changed. You're just ACTING like you have.

You make delicious food. I loved the way you used to just put THAT out there. No pretense about "nutritional value" or "high quality" anything. Just plain old fashioned crap to eat. If anyone didn't like it - GTFO.

I loved how when you used to see me drive up, you'd just give me exactly what I wanted while taking exactly what you wanted in return. No judgment. No BS. It was all SO real.

And yes, I know I shouldn't have been there. I know you are not always good for me, but I just didn't care. Because I loved you. I have since I was a child and I thought you loved me back. I mean, you always got yours didn't you? You used to brag about it. You'd tell all your friends, hell you'd tell EVERYONE and I quote: "OVER 1 BILLION SERVED." 

And now what, that's not good enough for you anymore? You got a little success in life doing ONE thing and you want to walk around acting like it was another?    

Oh right, like slow roasting an angus burger is going to legitimize you and make you, "NOT fast food." That makes me laugh. It isn't the time it takes to process the food that makes it higher quality - dummy. Do you really think doing your little "chef events" in local markets gives you more credibility? We all know the salads you introduced to your menu "by chefs" over a decade ago account for only 2-3% of sales. It's weaksauce. I told you to stop, but you wouldn't listen. Instead you insisted that a fruit and walnut salad will increase sales. Yeah, how'd that go for you? What? What's that you say? You don't even sell it anymore? Hmm.  

You're acting as if you never used to have a clown, or a Hamburglar, or even GRIMACE. Like, your chicken nuggets are made primarily of white meat. Haha. Like, you never even had a "Dollar Menu."

Did you really think changing the name of the "Dollar Menu" to "Value Menu" was going to trick me? Or, that you could change it back to "Dollar Menu & More" without me knowing what you were doing? l knew it wasn't a dollar. I can see it was capitalized. 

And see that's your problem. You want to stand there pissing on my head while telling me it's raining. Well, I've got news for you. I never thought for 1 moment that a tiny package of sliced apples was obesity repellent for kids.  

I heard what you said. Well, Kevin Newell (your US brand and strategy officer) said it. "We're going to start really, really telling our story in a much more proactive manner." 

Newsflash: NOBODY CARES! 

I wish you'd go back to just being you. I know you aren't good for me. That's why I only came to see you every now and again. It was never about the quality of the food. It never will be. It never can be. Remember, I knew you a LONG time ago. I know who you REALLY are.

Maybe if you were to truly change. You know, scrap everything and start over. Then maybe there could be a chance for us. Then I would know you were REAL again and could perhaps forgive you for treating me like this. But if you are going to keep messing with me by calling your fast food, "good food served fast" - I'm out.  

I'm going to miss you - the old you. It's going to be hard every day when I drive by your place not putting the blinker on and swinging in for a visit. Not to hit below the belt, but I've had a lot more fun hanging out over at the local Farmers Market lately, anyway.

So, I guess, this is it. Good luck with that Kung Pao chicken "appetizer" thing. I'm sure no one will even notice the McNuggets after you douse them in sweet and sour sauce. Especially since you are garnishing it in parsley.

As for me, I'm going healthier (except for a DQ indulgence from time to time - don't be jealous). I spent way too much time at your place over the years and realize I must change my ways. I even signed up for an endurance event a few months ago. I've been training hard for it. You didn't even notice, did you? It doesn't matter.  

C/ya around,

Neil