Well said. I was out for almost exactly three months. Three long, unstructured, often unmotivated months. I live in China, so I sort of have a “sneak peek” at what lies in store for the rest of the gym-going world.

It sucks. It really sucks.

But, it also makes you appreciate it. I’ve been back for four days, and I’ve can honestly say that I didn’t realize how much I missed it. But it also made me realize that I can survive, or even thrive without it. I think for a 15–30% reduction in strength that is absolutely temporary, that lesson is well worth the cost.

I certainly don’t take my mecca of masochism for granted any more!