Healing Up

Right shoulder is healing up slowly, but steadily. I'm pretty sure it's a rotator cuff problem. The only question is how bad it is, and what can be done about it. Scheduled an assessment and PT visit in December, but in the meantime I'll keep working on it.

Strength is holding steady. Very happy with the numbers as they are now. I might have a little room to progress my squats and deadlifts (would like to get the latter back to 600 lbs.), but that's not a priority right now.

Pressing has sort of stalled, maybe because of the shoulder pain, maybe not. Still avoiding incline presses, as I believe those put my shoulder over the edge of agony. I'd like to move my flat bench press back to the 440 lb. range, but that's just not possible right now. 405 lbs. feels quick and explosive, but 425 lbs. was a grind. Thinking of going back to progressive distance training (partials) for the next bench and shoulder press cycle.

Not sure where I go from here. I've hit all the lifting goals I've ever set for myself, and then some. I'm half-heartedly aiming for a 250 lb. standing overhead press, but feel like seated gives me much better shoulder development. From now on, it'll be mostly maintenance until I start to deteriorate.

Kind of looking forward to seeing how long I can keep lifting heavy. It'd be cool to squat and deadlift over 500 lbs. in my fifties.

Bodyweight has crept up a little, 212-214 lbs. this week. Might get back up to 220 lbs. over the winter. No special diet or program here - just keep doing what I'm doing, eat and exercise as normal, etc. Let the body get to where it needs to be without trying to impose control.

Squat 505-550-605 lbs. x 1 (tied PR)

Front squat 425 lbs. x 1

Overhead press 235 lbs. x 1 standing, 305 lbs. x 1 seated (tied PR)

Deadlift 505-550-585 lbs. x 1

Bench press 405-425 lbs. x 1