Following saturday's amazing workout, I was riding an amzing high from training for two days. On sunday I was pretty drained and my body wouldn't let me do any weights. Instead I did a 45 minute cardio workout. This week I've been focusing mainly on Muay Thai but I've managed to get in a fair amount of weights as well as cardio.
I've been feeling a bit stressed lately due to my hectic schedule. I find that my training allows me to get away from thinking about my stressors and gives me added energy to face whatever life throws at me. When I'm in the gym, I focus on the moment. I put my mind on the next exercise. When I step into the ring the rest of the world slips away. If my mind drifts away from the task at hand, then I am opening myself up to get injured or even worse knocked out. I'm trying to transfer these skills into my day-to-day life. It is so easy to get distracted and not stay focused on the here and the now.
No matter how stressed I am, by the time I leave the gym I feel like a million bucks. I could walk in the gym feeling down or angry and every time I walk out I have a huge smile on my face. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and being able to do some outdoor training. Some fresh air and sunshine will do us all some good after a long grey winter.
Mike
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Best Workout Ever
Yesterday I had one of the best workouts of my life. I finally had a day off from work and school so I was able to train as long as I wanted to with no rush to be somewhere. I got to the gym and did a long warmup. I spent 20 minutes on the bike, 20 minutes using the resistance bands and finished the warmup with 20 minutes of stretching.
When my Muay Thai coach showed up I was ready to rock the ring. We spent the next two hours going through drill after drill. It was a very intense training session but it felt amazing. He pushed me past the mental and physical fatigue that hit me at about the 90 minute mark. I collected a few new bruises and I'm already looking forward to getting back in the ring.
Just when I thought we were done, my coach asked if I wanted to hit the weights. I still had energy and a bit of time so I said why the hell not. We killed it for an hour. What an amazing workout. When I left the gym I felt absolutely amazing. My body is pretty sore today but it feels great. That being said, I'm gonna jump on the bike now to get some cardio in for the day.
Mike
When my Muay Thai coach showed up I was ready to rock the ring. We spent the next two hours going through drill after drill. It was a very intense training session but it felt amazing. He pushed me past the mental and physical fatigue that hit me at about the 90 minute mark. I collected a few new bruises and I'm already looking forward to getting back in the ring.
Just when I thought we were done, my coach asked if I wanted to hit the weights. I still had energy and a bit of time so I said why the hell not. We killed it for an hour. What an amazing workout. When I left the gym I felt absolutely amazing. My body is pretty sore today but it feels great. That being said, I'm gonna jump on the bike now to get some cardio in for the day.
Mike
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Second Wave
In the fitness industry I like to call this time of year the second wave. The first wave is in January when people are trying to live up to their resolutions. The second wave is when the weather starts to get nicer. It's that time of year when the days are longer, the sun is shining and people start to think about shedding their winter coats... better known as the extra pounds they have put on over the winter.
People are all of a sudden in a major rush to drop weight so that they look great in a bathing suit. The major problem with people rushing towards their target weight is that they tend to starve themselves and over train. This may lead to reaching goals quickly but it also subjects you them injury and usually doesn't keep the weight off in the long run.
Take the time to map out an action plan that involves a balance of training and calorie reduction. Aim to lose about 1-2 pounds per week. With the nice weather around the corner, take the time to include outdoor activities in your program. The fresh air will help to shed the weight along with the winter blahs that come with our long winters. There isn't a rush to drop the weight. It took time to put it on and it will take time to lose it. Just try your best to stay on track with good eating habits and be consistent with your exercise.
On a personal note, I still haven't missed a day of training. It's been harder to squeeze in with my intense schedule but I've managed. I feel great despite a neck strain last week from Muay Thai and all of the bruises that have come along with my newfound training. I'm learning quite a bit and my trainer has really pushed me to my limits.
It's a real benefit to be in school for massage therapy. I have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of some great massages in the last month and they have made a huge difference. I had a massage that focused on my legs and holy moses did it have an impact on my kicking strength the next day at the gym. This past weekend we were thankfully focusing on the back and neck. What a world of good it did for me.
It turns out that I'm not the only person with neck pain lately. Most people have been coming to me with neck and upper back pain. If you are having any similar problems please get in touch with me and I will gladly try my best to take the pain away and relax those muscles for you :)
Until next time, bring your A game every day!!!
Mike
People are all of a sudden in a major rush to drop weight so that they look great in a bathing suit. The major problem with people rushing towards their target weight is that they tend to starve themselves and over train. This may lead to reaching goals quickly but it also subjects you them injury and usually doesn't keep the weight off in the long run.
Take the time to map out an action plan that involves a balance of training and calorie reduction. Aim to lose about 1-2 pounds per week. With the nice weather around the corner, take the time to include outdoor activities in your program. The fresh air will help to shed the weight along with the winter blahs that come with our long winters. There isn't a rush to drop the weight. It took time to put it on and it will take time to lose it. Just try your best to stay on track with good eating habits and be consistent with your exercise.
On a personal note, I still haven't missed a day of training. It's been harder to squeeze in with my intense schedule but I've managed. I feel great despite a neck strain last week from Muay Thai and all of the bruises that have come along with my newfound training. I'm learning quite a bit and my trainer has really pushed me to my limits.
It's a real benefit to be in school for massage therapy. I have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of some great massages in the last month and they have made a huge difference. I had a massage that focused on my legs and holy moses did it have an impact on my kicking strength the next day at the gym. This past weekend we were thankfully focusing on the back and neck. What a world of good it did for me.
It turns out that I'm not the only person with neck pain lately. Most people have been coming to me with neck and upper back pain. If you are having any similar problems please get in touch with me and I will gladly try my best to take the pain away and relax those muscles for you :)
Until next time, bring your A game every day!!!
Mike
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hard Work Pays Off
Today was my weigh-in day to see where I am in regards to my goals that I've set. My training has been very intense the past month so I was hoping to see some good results. The numbers made me very happy :) I dropped another 3% body fat as well as 5 more pounds which brings me exactly halfway to my goals. Over the past two months I've lost 10 pounds and 5% body fat. On top of it all I dropped another 7 years on my metabolic age so my metabolism is firing on all cyclinders. I couldn't be happier with my progress at this point. I feel great and I still haven't missed a day of training even though I've been very busy with work and school. When there's a will there's a way!
On a side note, I got to experience the positive benefits of massage therapy yesterday. In class on sunday we had to give and receive a 60 minute massage based on the needs of the client. I asked that my massage focused on my hamstrings and calves. I couldn't believe how relaxed my hamstrings were following the massage!
The next day I went to the gym and went through my kickboxing routine. I was blown away by the increase in the strength of my kicks. What a difference a massage can make! If you would like a massage please feel free to get in contact with me. I have a lot of homework in terms of actual hands-on practicing and it would help me just as much as you.
Mike
On a side note, I got to experience the positive benefits of massage therapy yesterday. In class on sunday we had to give and receive a 60 minute massage based on the needs of the client. I asked that my massage focused on my hamstrings and calves. I couldn't believe how relaxed my hamstrings were following the massage!
The next day I went to the gym and went through my kickboxing routine. I was blown away by the increase in the strength of my kicks. What a difference a massage can make! If you would like a massage please feel free to get in contact with me. I have a lot of homework in terms of actual hands-on practicing and it would help me just as much as you.
Mike
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