When life hands you lemons...

Learn to make Lemonade.

Challenges come in all shapes and forms - could be an injury, travel, family "issues", work, and on down the negative scale. But let's take injury as an example.

When I was driving out to San Diego just over 2 years ago I injured my knee while flipping a tire -my foot slipped a bit on some grass and my knee hyperextended (i think) - end result - a knee like a grapefruit and I couldn't deep squat for the better part of 6 months. So what's a guy to do?

Hit the Grip!

During this time my grip training took center stage and I benefited greatly. I reached the point of being able to close the #3 gripper (with a set), hub lift 45# plates and my block weight lifting was going well (42.5# or 45# block was my best). So I could have lamented the fact that I couldn't do much else or I could get to work - I got to work.

Funny thing is when I did go back to training I was strong and snappy with my Kettlebell lifts due to all the high tension techniques used in the grip work. And I had stronger hands and stronger hands mean a stronger body!

Another example - When I had back surgery (L5-S1 laminectomy) back in 2003 and was restricted from doing just about anything but walking I came out of 4 weeks of restricted activity leaner than when I started. Because I recognized the challenge and focused on my diet. I basically used the Warrior Diet (available through dragondoor.com - click the link on my products page) and felt great and got leaner rather than heavier. Lemons can equal lemonade!

Obstacles and challenges are opportunities if you are open to them.