Inspirational Guest Post: Rishi
10:01Whitney Hills
I had a week of self-doubt and depression, wondering if I would lose the precious muscle mass I built, panicking that I wouldn't be taken seriously as a trainer and athlete. Rishi came into my life at the perfect time. He was so positive I kept reminding myself to stop whining over an injury that could heal, and appreciate all of the things that I could do. Today I have lost some muscle, I've accepted that I can't run, and I still feel fantastic. I may not look intimidating or "jacked" anymore but I still look athletic and am enjoying my "new" body. I'm also treating myself kinder due to my injury and learning to enjoy physio exercises, and to take better care of myself. Here is Rishi's story, another outstanding citizen of Liberty Village
My name is Rishi, I’m 36 years old and I’m paraplegic. Before my accident I was a chef/restaurant owner which gave me a lot of freedom per se. I chose my own hours and did what I wanted; although I worked over 70 hours a week. My diet was terrible. EVERYDAY it consisted of a hamburger for breakfast, I ate anything I could my hands on during the day and had a heavy dinner followed by a piece of cake or dessert. I went out drinking almost every night and exercise was non-existent.
In 2004 I went on vacation and luckily I broke my back because now I’m in the best shape of my life but it wasn’t easy. The first 2 years after my injury were the worst with constant pain while trying to go to physio and rehab. My pain started to subside in 2006 and decreased the more I went to the gym. Finding consistent motivation was difficult. Initially, reducing my pain was my only motivator. The more I trained, the lower my pain. The hardest part was training beside people who were lifting much more weight than I could and had toned bodies while I was chubby or skinny lifting lighter weights.
I wanted to quit so many times especially after getting sick. I saw a wheelchair basketball demo in 2010 and I was hooked! I bought a sport wheelchair, hired a personal trainer and trained really hard. My personal trainer really helped to push me, share his knowledge on technique and proper form with my exercises and what foods to eat and what to avoid.
I wasn’t making gains as fast as I wanted so I started doing research. I started reading a lot on bodybuilding/training, subscribing to Facebook pages like Muscle Prodigy, Strength Sensei, and Addicted to the Gym, among others and also food pages like The All-Natural Athlete, EatRightOntario.ca, and most recently WhitneyHills.Blogspot.com. Music has always been a big part of my life so I incorporated it into my workouts and I really increased my PRs. I still have “down” days like everyone and those are the hardest to get back in the gym. I found a few songs that really pump me up and then I want to go to the gym.
Watching YouTube videos of people training also helps. My favourite videos are by CT Fletcher! It took years of training and eating right before I got comfortable in the gym and in my own skin. Now I rarely get sick..maybe once every 2-3 years and only for a day or 2. I haven’t had a flu for over a decade and I have so much energy. That and I love how I look.
All I can say is find what motivates you and push yourself. It’ll take time but you won’t be sorry.
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