My ideal weight adventure - Week 3

My goal weight was 222.3#, and actual weight is 217.6# (I am 4.7# ahead of schedule!).

My next weigh date is Sunday, 11/6, and my goal weight is supposed to be 220.8#, but I will have to revise it to 216.

This week, I had pneumonia and was in bed for about 5 days, and had no appetite, so that should explain why I've gotten so far ahead. Well, I'll let you know how I do. Thanks for the support.

It turns out I have pneumonia

I'd be out anyway (this weekend), but hope to be back next week (very optimistic!).

Nathan

My ideal weight adventure - Week 2

Goal 223.8#, actual weight, 222.4 (1.4 under). I am at 23% bodyfat.

I am almost a week ahead. On track!

NEXT Goal: 222.3# on Sunday, 10/30

You can see larger pics

Just click on any photo if you want to see a larger version.
To save a picture for your collection, just right-click and "Save As".

I "kneed" to tell you...

Illustration of using the knee on offense. If you jab to close the gap, it'll bring the hands up and in, then throw the knee. Mr. Sam's thinking about what he had for breakfast, I'm sure!

Why you lead with a jab, not a hook

This is a great illustration of why you want to lead with a straight technique, not a hooking, or curved one.

A straight line is the shortest distance between two points, which is why this worked. Normally, the lead-off fighter has a big advantage, because it's quicker to act than to react. However, a straight technique can intercept a hooking, or curved one, and gives the counter-fighter the advantage.
Nice job, Mike.

What the heck!!!!

I think we're all still wondering what that was. Please, by all means, share this with your friends and family members!!!

Mr. Sam works to get the inside

Mike watches me get pummeled!

I thought you had my back!!!!

My ideal weight adventure - Week 1

Goal 225.3#, actual weight, 225.6 (0.3 over). I am at 23% bodyfat.

I did pretty well this week with diet, but only exercised 3 days - Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. My weight got as low as 223# (Saturday), so I am on track, 'cause I pigged out yesterday, so I think it's the sodium fromj last night.

I also checked my BP and HR at a store, and they were 139/88, and HR was 69. That's really good for me. My BP was below borderline for the first time in a long time, and my HR was in the high 80s before, so the cardio is making a big difference! This is working well.

NEXT Goal: 223.8# on Sunday, 10/23

Training Diary 2005-10-08

Participants: Nathan, Sam, Mike

Goals:
None stated

Training Summary:

1. Mr. Nathan – led the warm-up


2. Rounds of hand combinations


3. Mr. Sam reviewed his forms: DRH, KCH, TSJ, TOJ, PYJ. I demonstrated, then we went through PCH, and then taped it.Mike started on the 7-step Roundhouse Kick with a table/chair for support (see below)


4. Worked on hand & foot combinations, with everything built off the high lead-off jab. Both: Cover jab, then rear-leg front kick to midsection, then the switch-step and step-ahead front kick with the front leg. Tips: Always clear or finish with a hand combination if you land in punching range. Also, when using a cover lead, open the supporting foot as you step in-it makes a smoother kick.Mr. Sam: Added the rear-leg, then front-leg roundhouse cut kicks.


5. Drill knee counters to the jab and straight right. Tip: Be aggressive with the knee –if the lead-off fighter isn’t leading, attack with the knee, then lock ‘em up!


6. Handicap sparring – punching versus knees only.Lead-off fighter (puncher) should try to score combinations and keep away from getting locked up or kneed. The counter-fighter should try to be aggressive and use good defensive fighting and counters. When locked up, it’s a free-for-all to get the inside/dominant position. If you are pulled (or duck) into a position where you could be kneed in the face, you are considered knocked out!
   R1 Sam did pretty good keeping Mike away for a while, then Mike got aggressive on a gap in Sam’s punching, locked Sam up. Sam ducked out – KO for Mike
   R2 I was very agreesive with the knee, locked up Mike, then brought him down – KO for Nathan
   R3 Nathan was the lead-off puncher against Sam’s counter-fighting with the knee. Sam almost had me locked up once, I was able to get an arm up on the inside, neutralizing it, then he released me – inconclusive
   R4 Sam punching versus Mike’s knees. Mike was very aggressive from the start, shooting in for a lockup, then Sam was neutralized it by almost getting the inside position, then, inexplicably let Mike go! Mike tried rushing in, but Sam’s footwork was excellent and he was able to work around him and counter-punch.


7. Sparring
   R1 Mike & Nathan boxing. I was very inactive the whole round, laying back and trying to rest. Mike did a good job of circling around, stalking me, then came in quick and was locked up in a clinch. I explained that I don’t want to just break anymore – unrealistic. We should finish by using the knee (if in the rules that round, or work out of it with a takedown/throw/striking. Mike conclusively won the round at the end with a 1-2, then 1-6, both of which scored. I won’t be resting against him again.
   R2 I then sparred with Sam, using the same flawed strategy against a dangerous opponent, but I was more active in counter-fighting, scoring reasonably well. Sam was more aggressive, but was still jabbing with the short, low jabs I have cautioned him against. I did one thing well toward the end of the round, doing a step-around and punching him while he wasn’t able to counter. I then followed it up with a looooooong, scooping uppercut while running, which Sam deftly avoided and watched me go by. I embarrassed myself by, only narrowly, avoiding flying over the table. Mike mentioned that we HAD to include that in our greatest hits highlight tape.
   R3 Mike versus Sam, and Mike landed a good 1-2, then worked a lot of combinations, working his way around Sam, doing a good job. I did notice, however, that Mike’s chin was nice and exposed, which could lead to some painful consequences! Sam’s chin was tucked, but he was getting out of position as he tried to clear, and when advancing. This was in contrast to earlier, when he was doing the grappling versus a puncher.


8. Burnout Thai Boxing wrestling for the knee position (30-sec rounds):
   NT vs. MF – I got inside first, then Mike released it. Then back & forth for a few seconds until I locked him up, then Mike went down. KO for Nathan.
   NT vs. SB – back & forth as soon as the bell rang. Sam tried to use my right elbow to escape, then went outside. I stayed on him, pulled him down, then he escaped at the last second before you could call it a KO. I locked him up again after he released, then he countered immediately and locked me up! I managed to get my left in when the round ended. Inconclusive.


9. Stretching.

The 7-step (rear-leg) Roundhouse Kick

1. Open the front foot to a 45-degree angle, by pivoting on the heel


2. Raise the kicking (rear) leg, knee up


3. Pivot on the ball of the supporting foot, turning the supporting foot’s heel toward the target. Keep the kicking foot level with, or lower than the knee


4. Fire the kick through the target. Use the instep or ball of the foot for a striking surface. Re-chamber the kick in the same position as step three


5. Pivot back on the ball of the supporting foot, until it’s open at a 45-degree angle. The kicking leg should still be up, but the foot is aimed at the ground, the knee is up


6. Place the kicking leg back behind you


7. Close the front foot by pivoting on the heel

Action Items:
Mike: -MANY, MANY roundhouse kicks from a wall or chair! Keep the knee up! The main problem on the roundhouse is the knee keeps dropping below the kicking foot.
-Stretch a lot, otherwise, your kicks will be greatly limited


Sam:
-MANY, MANY kicks! On the wall, in the air, lying down, standing up, in the shower*, in bed, at work*, etc! (*Please consult with OSHA before kicking in the shower or at the workplace)
-FORMS:-DRH: Much smoother. Looking before turning. Remember the blocking arm is 90-degrees bend-yours is almost straight. Also, snap out the hand techniques more. Reps.-KCH: Work on the knife-hand position during the chamber of the double knife-hand blocks. Rising blocks are parallel to the ground-should be at 45-degrees. Watch that back leg on the front stance-drive off the leg, then land the front leg. If you do that, the rear leg will be in the proper position.
-TSJ: Tiger stance is too short-if you chamber your foot for a front kick, then place it straight down, it will be in the right position.-TOJ: Make sure to differentiate between the fast-count moves, and the 3-counts.-PYJ: Make sure you have power in the double-punches going to the left & right-SPARRING: Continue to work on good footwork & long jab (and high to cover the eyes). Try to finish all combinations with a left, and use three and five punches at a time. Guard hand. Also, use more uppercuts and infighting – it’s a strength.

Nathan:
PCJ: Don’t look down! Weight distribution on the back stance is off. Make sure to fully chamber before the low double-knifehands. Is the reverse punch with a kiap (2nd kiap) a medium or high punch? Reach out more for the elbow smash. Timing was right.Sparring: Mix in overhands more, and don’t let someone clinch if you don’t want to rest. Clear! Get behind the opponent and counter, then clear. Use the shifty footwork. Simultaneous slip & counter. Don’t get hit so much, use your footwork!!!
Next Training:
Bring your footgear, goggle, groin cups, and other pads!

1. Mr. Sam warmup


2. Mr. Sam: Review DRH through PYJ. Check Tae Geuk Pal Jang.


3. Defending the front kick


4. Sucker punch defenses


5. Spar with lotsa kicks.


6. Burnouts with knees and body kicking. We will be wearing goggles, MMA gloves, and footgear for entire training.

Observations

• My hair is thinning, Sam’s is really thinning, and Mike is bald. Soon, we are going to be three old, but tough, bald guys!


• I want to start doing 30-second self-defense rounds


• I want us to hit the other man when he’s down. Escape should use environment (tables & chairs)


• I want to start doing more self-defense


• I want us to do some two on one

The KICKIN phase begins!

Be ready to kick some butt, or whatever you can reach!

We are moving into the kicking phase our kickboxing training, then will move into a mixed-martial arts phase thereafter. We will be phasing in more self-defense, street-grappling stuff and less pure boxing or sparring after a while.

Safety Gear (all equipment must be approved by the instructor, NDT:
*Headgear
*Goggles (we will wear when wearing open-finger gloves)
*Boxing gloves, 12-16 oz.
*MMA Gloves
*Groin cup
*Dipped foam foot protectors
-Elbow pads (optional, but appreciated)
-Chest protector (optional)
-Kidney protector (optional)
-Shin guards

*Required!
-Optional

My ideal weight adventure - first post

I am sharing this to make myself accountable. Hope you don't mind.

On September 17, 2005 I woke up, weighed myself, and I was 230 pounds at 5'9". According to ideal weight calculators, I should be at 160#, with a healthy range of 135-168. That's never gonna happen due to my larger-than average frame (my calves alone weigh close to 100#!). I am setting a goal for a muscular and healthy 180.

I am currently 226.6#.
My long-term goal is to be at 180#, with a target of May 14, 2006. That is losing 1.5#/week.

My immediate goal is 225.3# on Sunday, 10/16. Here goes!

I appreciate your support.

Training ideas from 10/5 w/ Mike

I think we'd benefit from:

* Sam work on outside fighting (1-2 range)

* Mike work on inside fighting (3-6 range)

* This can be done by inside vs. outside, and visa versa

Thoughts:

* After I did burnout sparring with Mike this morning, I thought. "step around! Step around!" Meaning work around the opponent. We were talking about the body punches I landed to his sides, and I realized that it's because I do that step around, and that a little shift at the moment before punching will throw off the aim of the opponent.

More later...