Aragorn

UPDATE! Been a while... I've been working a lot before I go to Florida for a little bit. Still working out all the time... Lot's of pullups, pushups, situps, and squats... (oh and running. (: ) I seem to be getting enough sleep. I'm not so tired all the time. That's been really nice. As for being outside, I try to do my workouts in the yard. (MULTITASKING!) Sugar update: well... I'm eating ice cream as I type, so.... lol

Today I am supposed to go swimming, but seeing as I don't have access to a pool (or pond... lake... river...?? anything?? ), I'm going to have to find something else to do. I think I can hear my old bike calling to me from the shed XD

It can definitely be frustrating, especially for a trained martial artist and someone who would like to see everyone be exposed to the good stuff... Especially when all they see on tv is the watered down sport version of fighting. So much out there

I guess I got my daily rant in

(I'm not bagging on anyone who likes/practices MMA... Nor am I suggesting that the various systems that make up Mixed Martial Arts (such a broad term) are not legitimate styles. It's a nice SPORT. It lost it's ability to perform well on the streets when they started adding rules. (Also, most "MMA" gyms teach a watered down version of the different styles that one would consider to be worthy of the octagon.) I'm not saying let's forget about the MMA gyms... But just because you train at an MMA gym and you wear a Tapout shirt doesn't make you invincible Just be informed that you're learning a sport and don't let that go to your head... It's not the only thing out there. That's all...) (p.s. Aaaand... if you were wondering, my favorite UFC fighters are Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida! XD)

That's pretty sweet! And you're quite right, very kickboxyish XD The instructor, Kim, mainly does Muay Thai, but I believe the class I attended was geared more towards fitness than it was for actually training combat techniques. So just a bunch of your basic punching and kicking (mainly punching) put together for cardio and muscle endurance. I've never really been able to find a whole lot of information on MCMAP. Obviously it's a hybrid system like JKD or whatever people call mainstream MMA But I'm curious as to what systems they pulled from when creating it...? Maybe since you've been there you could give some insight?

The gym I went to last night is a muay thai gym... but I've been training in JKD and various filipino systems for about 4 years now.

Yesterday kicked my butt. I was supposed to go on a short run for cardio but my friend called and asked if I wanted to go spar down at the local gym. I thought this would be a nice easy workout because everyone who was going to be there was a beginner in terms of martial arts ability... I'd be able to have some fun, easy sparing sessions. Well, it turns out that Tuesday night was actually sparing night and Wednesday nights are the advanced workout class. Kim, the instructor (who is a beast when it comes to fitness), invited me to stay and participate in the class. I hadn't worked out yet so I decided it wouldn't hurt. The Workout: Done wearing 14oz boxing gloves. Warm-up: 5 sets of the following with 30, 20, 15, 10, and 5 reps per set (first set 30 reps of everything, working all the down to 5 reps of everything.) Sprawls pushups crunches squats Next, bag work: 3 minute rounds of the following: -Jab -Cross -Jab, cross -Jab, cross, jab -Jab, cross, jab, cross, jab (last three punches are fired more rapidly... 1.. 2.. 123) -Jab, cross, jab, cross, hook (same cadence as above) -Sprint/rapid stepping(???) (like but not as high... I over-complicate things. You guys know what I'm talking about) while rapidly punching the bag.Two 1 minute rounds of all out power punches on the heavy bag. (one minute rest in between while you hold the bag for your partner) Next, Focus mitt drills: -Jab -double jab -double jab, cross -double jab, cross, hook -double jab, cross, hook, cross Trade with partner. -slip right, right uppercut, back to stance -uppercut, hook, cross -jab, cross, hook, uppercut -jab, cross, hook, R uppercut, R cross, L hook, R cross Trade with partner. -left lead, slip left, left lead uppercut, return to stance -jab, cross, hook, uppercut -jab, cross, Left uppercut, R cross -jab, cross, L uppercut, L hook, R cross Trade with partner. 50 rapidfire round kicks (each leg) on the heavy bag. 50 leg lifts on the bag. Stretch it out...! This was relatively hard for me... I've never used 14oz boxing gloves before and after the first couple of rounds on the bag, it felt like I was punching with bricks tied to my hands. Definitely a tough one... I foresee a lot of stretching in my future...

Today is Tuesday! Did me some lower body PT! Woop! Squats: 2 x 20 Lunges (each leg): 2 x 20 Heel raises (each leg): 2 x 20 Standing long jumps: 2 x 5 Sprints!!! 20 yd x 6 40 yd x 6 60 yd x 3 Followed by a nice long stretching routine because I got lazy the past couple of days and am feeling a little more sore then usual (Was supposed to finish off with a 1 mile jog, but didn't have time 'cause I had to get ready for work I have the most amazing ability to pick an hour to 45 minutes before I have to be somewhere to work out I should try more...)

Well, Thanks! I appreciate that... (I can't say I'm not the least bit biased though, I've wanted to go military off and on since I was 10 and my entire family on my dad's side has served for generations. It's in my blood )

I didn't go on a run yesterday because it was storming Gonna go for one before work tonight, though. Today, I believe I would be doing the first Batman Body weight workout but I did upper body calisthenics yesterday... Instead, today, I will work on the assigned workout from Stew Smith's book. Do I feel bad about ditching my original workout plan? Ummm... not really. I'm just sort of upgrading it. I'm fine with that. The workout Mr. Smith designed is... well, it's better. He's certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and he designed this workout specifically to help people get into shape for elite military training. I have absolutely no problem with upgrading x)

Yeah, before you join any club, first see if they'll let you do a couple lessons for free (Most schools will) That way you can see what you like... try different styles. Taekwondo and boxing focus on different things. So figure out what you'd like to work on and go from there... Best of luck! (*On a completely biased note* if you are looking for a style for self defense/practicality, look into the filipino martial arts and/or JKD concepts And I'm probably going to start a fight, but they far better evolved to deal with actual real life situations then most other traditional styles)

Woke up early today, did my upper body calisthenics, plan on going for a run later this evening. Pushups: 4x20 Situps: 4x40 Will do 1.5 mile run for time. I'm probably going to start working specifically from my SEAL book as it mainly focuses on calisthenics routines, running, swimming, etc. It's the complete package. If I can somehow work my way through the beginner, intermediate, and 12 week program by next April/May, I will be extremely pleased with myself and will have to find some way to celebrate

2.4 mile run: 12:34. Not my best time... but I haven't been running in about a month So I'm okay with that...

haha nice... Yeah, I'll see how that works out for me. The upside of not being able to sleep is that I can do a lot of work when there are no distractions...That's about the only plus