I think I'm finally starting to figure out how to really kick the hell out of the bag.
I've had a lot of trouble with properly torquing my leg over on the rear Thai kick. My toes would end up pointing at about 10:30, when they should have been all the way over at 9 o'clock.
On Tuesday night, I was feeling rough. I hadn't eaten well, and I was dehydrated. However, I got into this rhythm when we were doing our bag drills that I hadn't felt before. I was rolling my toes all the way over, pointing them at the wall, and consistently hitting the same spot over and over.
The most satisfying dent began to appear in the bag, as I kicked it again and again.
Granted, I chose to walk away from the squats at the back of the 3-man drill, as I thought I might pass out, but it felt great to know, if only for that day, that I'd managed to do one thing consistently well.
A lot of new students have started recently, and while I may not be an expert, I am learning how to help my partner make subtle improvements to his or her technique. I may still make the same mistakes in the heat of the moment, but I'm starting to understand my mistakes, and that's the only way to truly move beyond them.
And yes, I'm still getting better at jumping rope. No, I will not be joining an inner-city double dutch team any time soon, but I don't hit my feet as often, and my stamina seems to increase every time we start class.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
You Pay For Excuses
As many of you may know, my life's been a little...rough lately. Woman trouble. Living arrangement trouble. Other assorted types of trouble.
These various things have kept me away from practice for nearly 3 weeks. No more.
Tuesday was my first day back at Inferno. The place was packed with new faces, and what seemed to be twice as many jump ropes. We've gone from three-person bag drills to four. You can hardly shrimp across the floor without bumping into someone on the way.
It's awesome.
My absence has weighed heavily, and I've missed the overall benefits that training brings. I'm more anxious, I've gained back some weight, though my scale is still packed from the move, so I can't say how much.
Even with my time away, I could tell that I'm getting better at jumping rope. A small thing, to be sure, I'm trying to find the positive in my life right now. I credit the near constant cleaning and moving from one home to another for my only partial loss of stamina.
I'm not back in my groove yet, and I've gotten sloppy. I was already sloppy, as a beginner, but you really see the difference a few weeks makes on your muscle memory and instincts.
I'm going to really enjoy class tonight. My bottle is full, and I want to leave that gym empty.
These various things have kept me away from practice for nearly 3 weeks. No more.
Tuesday was my first day back at Inferno. The place was packed with new faces, and what seemed to be twice as many jump ropes. We've gone from three-person bag drills to four. You can hardly shrimp across the floor without bumping into someone on the way.
It's awesome.
My absence has weighed heavily, and I've missed the overall benefits that training brings. I'm more anxious, I've gained back some weight, though my scale is still packed from the move, so I can't say how much.
Even with my time away, I could tell that I'm getting better at jumping rope. A small thing, to be sure, I'm trying to find the positive in my life right now. I credit the near constant cleaning and moving from one home to another for my only partial loss of stamina.
I'm not back in my groove yet, and I've gotten sloppy. I was already sloppy, as a beginner, but you really see the difference a few weeks makes on your muscle memory and instincts.
I'm going to really enjoy class tonight. My bottle is full, and I want to leave that gym empty.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Consistency
I've taken a rather long break from posting and MMA classes, partly due to personal junk, partly due to sickness.
I've learned that you'll get some distance and perspective from personal stuff if you go to class, and as long as you're not contagious, you'll usually forget about the pain from whatever's bothering you after a few minutes on the mat.
Now, I'm unprepared for testing, and I have no idea where I'm at as far as my weight and health goals are concerned. Part of the personal stuff was an unexpected move, and I left my scale at my old apartment.
Class was good this week, though I'm starting to realize how much work I'm going to have to do to really pull this off. I'm pretty good with the Thai pads, but I've got a ways to go in terms of precision, and grappling continues to confound me.
I did get a good workout this weekend. I consolidated several piles of wood from the ice storm onto a large pallet over about 5 hours. I wore a tank top and no sunscreen, and my skin is now weeping an interesting yellow fluid at random intervals.
My grandma did say I looked smaller today at the family Easter lunch, while gesturing toward my gut. She did a little hand gesture, like a modified version of what you might use to visual approximate an hour-glass figure with your hands, but perhaps with more a pear or teardrop shaped design.
Starting Weight: 395lbs
Current Weight: ?
I've learned that you'll get some distance and perspective from personal stuff if you go to class, and as long as you're not contagious, you'll usually forget about the pain from whatever's bothering you after a few minutes on the mat.
Now, I'm unprepared for testing, and I have no idea where I'm at as far as my weight and health goals are concerned. Part of the personal stuff was an unexpected move, and I left my scale at my old apartment.
Class was good this week, though I'm starting to realize how much work I'm going to have to do to really pull this off. I'm pretty good with the Thai pads, but I've got a ways to go in terms of precision, and grappling continues to confound me.
I did get a good workout this weekend. I consolidated several piles of wood from the ice storm onto a large pallet over about 5 hours. I wore a tank top and no sunscreen, and my skin is now weeping an interesting yellow fluid at random intervals.
My grandma did say I looked smaller today at the family Easter lunch, while gesturing toward my gut. She did a little hand gesture, like a modified version of what you might use to visual approximate an hour-glass figure with your hands, but perhaps with more a pear or teardrop shaped design.
Starting Weight: 395lbs
Current Weight: ?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Notches & Zippers
I've decided that while it is important to catalog my weight, it won't always be consistent. So far, I can confidently say I've lost 10 lbs. in my first two weeks at Inferno. That's 2.5% of my starting weight of 395 lbs, and while I could get discouraged, having lost 15 lbs in a week before, I know that gradual weight loss, from diet and exercise, is the healthiest and most dependable plan.
I've stuck to my diet, limiting my carb intake, upping my veggies, protein and fiber, and I can feel the results in ways that my scale might not show. I've gone from using the second notch on my belt (the first on a bad day) to comfortably using the fourth. Two more notches, and I"m going to need a whole new belt. A jacket that fit snugly around my gut just two weeks ago now has a few more inches of literal breathing room.
The last time I experienced this kind of weight loss, I was going through a rough time. I started swimming nearly every day, as distraction from my life, and the pounds came off, but when life returned to normal, I stopped pushing myself. This time, I'm starting from stability, both in my personal life, and in the choice to train at Inferno MMA. Certainly, it's nice to get away for a few days a week, but (not to sound to much like a fortune cookie) I'm now running toward a goal instead of away from a problem.
Some things I learned this week:
1. Inattention/Fatigue + Left Hook + Sloppy Thai pad posture = Getting bopped in the nose.
2. I need to work on torquing my rear Thai kicks all the way over, pointing my toes at the wall instead of the ceiling.
3. Don't rush through or skip side mount. I need to work on that one.
For anyone who can make it, Inferno's own Nathan Murdock will be taking on Team Mob's Kevin Frasier this Saturday at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith. Get your tickets today at ProbattleMMA.com. I won't be be able to make it, but want to wish Nate good luck as he represents Inferno in the ring.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs.
Current Weight: 385 lbs.
I've stuck to my diet, limiting my carb intake, upping my veggies, protein and fiber, and I can feel the results in ways that my scale might not show. I've gone from using the second notch on my belt (the first on a bad day) to comfortably using the fourth. Two more notches, and I"m going to need a whole new belt. A jacket that fit snugly around my gut just two weeks ago now has a few more inches of literal breathing room.
The last time I experienced this kind of weight loss, I was going through a rough time. I started swimming nearly every day, as distraction from my life, and the pounds came off, but when life returned to normal, I stopped pushing myself. This time, I'm starting from stability, both in my personal life, and in the choice to train at Inferno MMA. Certainly, it's nice to get away for a few days a week, but (not to sound to much like a fortune cookie) I'm now running toward a goal instead of away from a problem.
Some things I learned this week:
1. Inattention/Fatigue + Left Hook + Sloppy Thai pad posture = Getting bopped in the nose.
2. I need to work on torquing my rear Thai kicks all the way over, pointing my toes at the wall instead of the ceiling.
3. Don't rush through or skip side mount. I need to work on that one.
For anyone who can make it, Inferno's own Nathan Murdock will be taking on Team Mob's Kevin Frasier this Saturday at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith. Get your tickets today at ProbattleMMA.com. I won't be be able to make it, but want to wish Nate good luck as he represents Inferno in the ring.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs.
Current Weight: 385 lbs.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Game On
Forget all that stuff about a break. My progress will continue uninterrupted.
Three posts in one day. You'd think it was a slow day, but I'm just a quick typist.
Three posts in one day. You'd think it was a slow day, but I'm just a quick typist.
Good News, Bad News
I finally got a call from the medical supply company about my CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machine. I'd gone in for a sleep study several weeks ago, and they confirmed a) I am fat, b) I do snore, and c) I snore because I'm fat.
My poor fiancee has been after me to get this wrapped up so she can get a good night's sleep again. I'm just happy that I'll be able to sleep on my back or side without her yelling at me to lay on my stomach. This should also make me more alert, help lower my blood pressure, and give me an extra bit of energy so I can focus on getting in shape.
The only downside to this is the timing. I'm going to postpone officially joining Inferno MMA for a few weeks, until I've paid for both my CPAP and my initial joining fee.
I hated to tell the guys I'd be taking a little break between my trial and joining, but they were very cool about everything. They know that my work at Inferno is part of a larger plan to become a better, healthier me. I'm looking forward to making some real progress after I've had a few weeks of quality sleep.
Don't think that I'm going to forget about joining. I've got April 14th already booked on my calendar, the first Tuesday after my next paycheck. In the meantime, I'm going to keep busy on my own, swimming, maybe jogging. I may not be able to grapple or work the Thai Pads on my own, but where there's a floor, there's a place to shrimp.
Keep reading, because I'm going to keep writing, even during this break.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs
Current Weight: 380 lbs
My poor fiancee has been after me to get this wrapped up so she can get a good night's sleep again. I'm just happy that I'll be able to sleep on my back or side without her yelling at me to lay on my stomach. This should also make me more alert, help lower my blood pressure, and give me an extra bit of energy so I can focus on getting in shape.
The only downside to this is the timing. I'm going to postpone officially joining Inferno MMA for a few weeks, until I've paid for both my CPAP and my initial joining fee.
I hated to tell the guys I'd be taking a little break between my trial and joining, but they were very cool about everything. They know that my work at Inferno is part of a larger plan to become a better, healthier me. I'm looking forward to making some real progress after I've had a few weeks of quality sleep.
Don't think that I'm going to forget about joining. I've got April 14th already booked on my calendar, the first Tuesday after my next paycheck. In the meantime, I'm going to keep busy on my own, swimming, maybe jogging. I may not be able to grapple or work the Thai Pads on my own, but where there's a floor, there's a place to shrimp.
Keep reading, because I'm going to keep writing, even during this break.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs
Current Weight: 380 lbs
Feeling Great & Water Weight
Last night's classes at Inferno MMA were great. It seems every week, a few new faces come in for a trial, and that is encouraging to me. Both the students and instructors are all patient and accommodating of new people, even big lugs like me, but there's an additional confidence that comes from knowing your not the only one starting out from scratch.
I got to practice grappling with several partners, notably a guy on the Inferno Fight Team named Chris, who is nearest my height and weight among the students I've met. After practicing passing the guard, we learned some new moves, and then took turns free-rolling with different partners.
Today, I am happy to report that not only did I feel better while jumping rope, my calves feel amazing today. The only soreness I feel comes not from working out, but from lugging around camera gear at work. I'm feeling bold enough to consider taking a swim, rest day be damned.
In an unexpected development, I seemingly dropped 10 lbs overnight. By my personal scale at home, I weighed 390 lbs before bed, and 380 lbs this morning. I know it's all water weight, but I'll take any encouragement I can.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs
Current Weight: 380 lbs
I got to practice grappling with several partners, notably a guy on the Inferno Fight Team named Chris, who is nearest my height and weight among the students I've met. After practicing passing the guard, we learned some new moves, and then took turns free-rolling with different partners.
Today, I am happy to report that not only did I feel better while jumping rope, my calves feel amazing today. The only soreness I feel comes not from working out, but from lugging around camera gear at work. I'm feeling bold enough to consider taking a swim, rest day be damned.
In an unexpected development, I seemingly dropped 10 lbs overnight. By my personal scale at home, I weighed 390 lbs before bed, and 380 lbs this morning. I know it's all water weight, but I'll take any encouragement I can.
Starting Weight: 395 lbs
Current Weight: 380 lbs
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