How to lose your gains in 8 days

24 September 2015

Ok so I’m not as concerned as the title may suggest, nor am I actually believing it as such, but the erg let me know where I was at this morning. I do think today’s session can be caught back up in a just a few pieces, but I simply can’t afford to lose any more time.

Since my back played up last Friday and by the time this mornings session had come around, I hadn’t rowed for 8 days. I had blasted through some 1 minutes on Monday on the Wattbike after some supported back work and although it may have protected a little blood volume loss, it just isn’t the same as rowing. Today’s row was hard, heavy, poorly paced and left me unable to sort my breathing out once again.

I had gotten through the last few days unscathed from any back problems after it settled nicely over the weekend. I managed to continue the gains on the bench and in the squat yesterday, although I kept the assistance work either supported and/or on the machines. The one lift I missed out this week was the deadlift as I believe this is where my problems lay. I want to continue to attempt to work with it and am not willing to put it to bed just yet. I have got some plans ahead on how to do this and will wait out before reporting back. As mentioned above, the squat provided no problems and was in fact very strong and solid with a decent range of movement.

So with the usual DOMS in the legs from yesterday’s work, today was back on the erg. I had planned 8×500’s, but after 3 reps knew I was only doing 6. Just as well, as the monitor battery packed up on finishing the 6th preventing me on obtaining the splits. I do know it wasn’t pretty though and didn’t need to look. Last time I had progressed onto 1.33.5 and wanted 8 this time. Instead 6 went though in the 1.34’s and I had to work for every metre. For a trained person I don’t think this drop in form would be so severe, but given that I am (was) doing bare minimum anyway just makes it even more so apparent with that amount of time not on the erg.

The plan now is to attack some more intervals on Saturday or Sunday and try and edge closer to where I left off. Next week and beyond should provide some better structure to my training as I head back to work after 6 weeks off.

If I can stay injury free this can only go one way …….

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Ollie Osborne

Paul FLEET

Having previously worked with Oli when we both served together, I knew he was the guy to get me back on track with my lifestyle and fitness goals which had taken a bit of a back seat since leaving the military. I made the right choice. The programme is exemplary and within a very short space of time the results came and have stayed. Thanks Oli and team 💪 Highly recommend.

Wayne Gordon

10/10 got me on the road to finding my fitness and general health back again, motivated and accountable!! Would recommend anyone to think about it Ollie is great and works hard with you to get where you need to be 👍👍👍👍

Craig Hoggett

A great holistic approach to improving well being, covering the psycho-somatic connection and nutrition that supports both. Genuinely thoughtful, practical programmatic approach to making progress against your health and well being aims and, opening your mind to new goals too! Hazel, Ollie and Will make a great team, working together to cover the different dimensions of wellbeing for each client and creating a community that supports and grows together. Strongly recommend!

Rich Bell

There comes a point in every high-achiever’s journey where professional success and personal wellness seem irreconcilable, where the cost of performance is paid in silence, self-neglect, and eventual burnout. I had reached that point. Outwardly, I was thriving: respected, accomplished, operating at the peak of my profession. But beneath the surface, I was physically depleted, mentally fractured, and overwhelmed by self-loathing. I asked myself the question so many executives silently carry: How did I let myself get to this point? The answer, as I would come to learn, was not failure , it was imbalance. The truth is, high performance in leadership should not come at the expense of health, clarity, or self-worth. And through the Warrior Wellness Movement, I discovered that it doesn’t have to. This programme is not simply a fitness plan or a motivational workshop. It is a total recalibration of mindset, physiology, and leadership presence. The coaches at Warrior Wellness understood the unique pressures of executive life, the long hours, the constant decision-making, the burden of responsibility, and built a wellness framework that works with those realities, not against them. It is tailored, evidence-based, and deeply human. Through their guidance, I learned how to reclaim my physical health, strengthen my mental resilience, and lead with energy and authenticity. Just as critically, I brought my executive team on the same journey. Together, we evolved not only as professionals, but as people. We now operate with sustainable intensity, strategic clarity, and a shared understanding that wellness is not a luxury, it’s a leadership imperative. The Warrior Wellness Movement has fundamentally changed how I approach success, not as something to chase at all costs, but as a state of balance where performance and wellbeing co-exist. I cannot recommend this programme highly enough to any high-performing individual or team who is ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Roxie Coleman

Ollie and the team at Warrior Wellness are simply brilliant. Proactive and reactive to your situation. Bespoke. Cover all bases and support you. They stretch and challenge rather than push to breaking point. Are responsive to your needs as well as your likes and dislikes. I’ve tried PTIs, diets, therapy and many other things but for me, this is working. Things make sense and are explained in a supportive way. No patronising, no making you feel crap about yourself but they do hold you to account in a way that feels positive. Highly recommend

Paula McRobie

Been coached by Ollie for over 9 months. I was looking for accountability and structure in the gym to fit around a new job where shift work has messed with consistency. Ollie gave me a program that was achievable and the necessary nudges to get me into the gym. My initial goals were specific and he has delivered 100%. He has understood exactly what is required to train when you are mid life. I am in my late 50s and his focus on mobility/warming up and conditioning and feedback on form has kept me injury free and loving my sessions. Totally recommend Ollie whether you are new to fitness or a seasoned gym goer.

Paul Dunn

Over the past 15 months with Warrior Wellness Movement, I’ve had an exceptional experience. Their personalised approach to strength training, nutrition, and overall well-being helped me achieve my goals faster than I ever imagined. The expertise and guidance I received not only significantly improved my strength but also led to the added benefit of noticeable weight loss. I highly recommend WWM to anyone seeking a dedicated and effective system for achieving their fitness goals.

Guy Jervis

Inspiring, thorough, tailored and effective S&C training, nutrition and wellbeing advice delivered with professionalism, empathy, sincerity and smiles (despite the logo 😁). Very highly recommended!

Paul Roberts

After spending a very long time (years) aimlessly going to the gym with no structure or focus I eventually met Ollie at Warrior Wellness - and I’m glad I did. From the word go Ollie was direct (which I absolutely needed) and very supportive. Ollie demonstrated during our first meeting that he has experience and understanding of how that happens - and more importantly how to make the changes I needed. For me that was a good omen. The structure of the programming during the initial phase was straight forward and really easy to follow. It was just about doing the basics really well with some added variety and functionality. With help and focus on getting my diet sorted from the outset it has helped me get some early victories which helped keep the motivation and enthusiasm. In 3 months I’ve lost 5kg, I’m lifting heavier and feeling better than I ever have. I’m also moving better and easier than I’ve done for years since leaving the army. If you need structure, direction, honesty, accountability and support with a holistic approach then Ollie and Warrior Wellness is what you need. I would Highly recommend working with Ollie - it was honestly a great result and well worth the investment.