I’m a 36F and have been lifting for over a decade. Two years ago I became mysteriously very ill after a few viruses hit me back to back. I went from a healthy powerlifter to being extremely malnourished and underweight the months following that.
I spent two years not touching any weights at all while I was being bounced around from doctor to doctor trying to find out what exactly was going on. Since then I’ve been diagnosed Ehlners Danos.
I decided to create a training log here to document my comeback. I’ve been back to lifting for a few months now and making progress albeit it is very slow. I struggle with pain and fatigue on a daily basis but pushing through because I know strength training is what’s best for me. Barbell Medicine has quite literally saved my life.
If you’ve gotten this far, thanks for reading! 
1 Like
2/13/25
Paused Squat
95 x 5
105 x 5
105 x 4 @ RPE 9 due to dizziness 
Bench
65 x 5
65 x 5
65 x 5 @ RPE 6
I haven’t been benching or doing much of any upper body work because of a collarbone injury but trying to bench what I can tolerate
Iso rows
70 x 8
70 x 8
70 x 8
Bulgarian split squats
Rear delt flies
Following! Good to see you here, Dani.
1 Like
2/15/25
Deadlift
95 x 3
115 x 3
140 x 3
160 x 1 @ RPE 9
Glute bridges
75 x 8
75 x 8
75 x 8
Incline bench
55 x 8
55 x 8
55 x 7 @ RPE 9
Calf Raises
100 x 12
110 x 12
110 x 12
110 x 12
Notes: Started a new medication today. Went to a cardiologist because of dizziness, especially when standing up and lifting. The med should increase my chronic low blood pressure. Apparently it’ll take a few weeks to notice a difference.
Great training day otherwise. This was the last day of Powerbuilding 1. I think I’ll just run it again because I enjoy it!
2/25/25
Powerbuilding Week 1, Day 1
Squat
65 x 5
95 x 5
100 x 5 @ 8
RDL
bar x 3 sets
(these usually really bother my hip and wreck my hamstrings so I went easy introducing them back in)
Leg extensions
60 x 12 x 3 sets
DB Press
12.5 x 8
15 x 8
17.5 x 8
Notes: I’m not feeling great these last few days. I traveled over the weekend and had a very stressful week leading up to it. Another sickness right after having the stomach bug and it really knocked me out and killed my appetite. I’ve lost some weight again which is a constant battle for me to keep up. I was feeling it today when trying to lift. Lots of fatigue and lightheadedness.
BW is at 122 and my ideal weight and when I feel my best is around 135. Hoping to get back there soon but it’s a real struggle.
2/25/25
Powerbuilding Week 1, Day 2
Bench
bar x 5
55 x 5
65 x 5
70 x 5 @ 8
Leg press
50 x 10 x 3 sets
Kettlebell one armed rows
Lat raises
3/1/25
Powerbuilding Week 1, Day 3
Deadlift
95 x 5
135 x 4
135 x 5
135 x 4 (fudged up the weights here a little, need to take smaller jumps in the future)
Incline bench press
55 x 8 x 3 sets
Glute bridges (not in the program, I just like 'em)
70 x 8 x 3 sets
Chins
2,2,2
Notes: I’m on that new blood pressure medication and I’m definitely noticing a reduction in symptoms already. I don’t feel as dizzy as before although it is still there. I’m still very sensitive to light which seemed to correlate with the dizziness so hoping that reduces as well.
BW was 126 today 
1 Like
3/2/25
PB Week 2, Day 1
Squat
95 x 5
105 x 5
100 x 5 x 2 sets
RDL
bar x 8 x 2 (just recovered from the soreness from these from last week)
Leg extension
70 x 3 sets
DB seated overhead press
20 x 8
20 x 7
20 x 6
these were too heavy but couldn’t find any 15s lol
Notes: BW 126.2. Feeling pretty good energy wise. Dizziness has been greatly reduced with new BP meds. Last time I ran PB i skipped the back off sets because I had no stamina so I’m happy I can be more compliant with those now.
3/5/25
PB Week 2, Day 2
Bench
bar x 5
65 x 5
70 x 5
75 x 5
70 x 5
70 x 5
all of this felt hardddd. I have lots of pain in my
collarbone and i try to just train through it
Seal row
65 x 5 x 5 sets
Leg press
60 x 10 x 2 sets
Lateral raises
5 x 12
7.5 x 12 x 1 sets