Saturday, February 15, 2014

Winding Down & Gearing Up

We wrapped up our week of Kajukenbo seminars last night. It was a great experience. I learned a lot, and it just fueled my passion and enthusiasm to train harder, learn more, and keep practicing.

Just a few pix from last night's closing ceremony plus the previous day's outdoor training -- and then, stay tuned for some big news coming up in the next few days.



Team photo on the day of our beach training (Feb. 12, 2014) - this is actually the beach that's part of my regular gym



Gotta keep practicing those kicks! (Feb. 12, 2014)


The Grand Masters and I (Feb. 14, 2014)


My Coach - Sifu Ahmad & I 
Trust your coach & trust yourself -- and you'll be unstoppable.
Feb. 14, 2014



Learning a bit about Sambo during our outdoor training session on Feb. 13, 2014


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Kajukenbo Seminar

This whole week we've got Grand Masters visiting from Hawaii and holding a Kajukenbo seminar. My days have been LONG - and they're not over yet.

Up and out of the house to hit the gym at 6:30 a.m.
Straight to work.
Home to eat a little and rest before heading out to the seminar around 3 p.m. and getting home around 10:30/11 p.m.

I'm tired, but it's all been great. A few pix of what I've been up to.


I finally got to learn how to do an ankle lock!! I've been wanting to learn this for ages! It's very effective :)


Morning MMA training -- blood and bruises are part of the process. 


Kajukenbo Ohana Kuwait
February 2014 Group Photo

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Update

Things have been going really well, and time is passing quickly - especially once the work week begins.

Last Saturday I went to the doctor to get my wrist checked. The good news is that it is healing well. Staying off it has been paying off. It's not back to 100% yet, but I have been given permission to start using it ... a little. I can get back to weights, but I have to restrict my movement to static movements. The main thing is that I shouldn't flex or twist my wrist. So, no front squats, no clean and press, nothing that carries a chance of having that cartilage tear some more. That kinda sucks, but I understand. At least there are plenty of exercises that I can do. I have to start with very light weights, as even the movement of getting into position can be risky. He recommends that I have someone hand me/position the weights to avoid that extra strain. I will also probably be using some of the weight machines. As much as I don't like them, at least it'll be something. Plus it'll be safe.

I still can't put any downward pressure on my wrist, so no push ups or anything that requires wrist stability. If I can do things on my forearms, then that's fine, but nothing on my wrist.

I'll go back and see him in 4-6 weeks and see how I'm progressing. In any case, I'll have to still be very, very careful over the next 3 months. We'll see how it goes after that.

Other than that, nothing too new going on. I've been hitting the gym every morning - cardio/weights, and doing my MMA training in the afternoons. I've been working with a client so occasionally I'll get in another workout (mild).

I've been doing really well with my food journal lately; however, I think I need to get back to actually tracking calories. My weight is hardly moving. I need to figure out how I can tweak my plan.


One of my recent workouts involved the Bosu ball, my speed jumprope (finally back to practicing double unders), steps, and weights -- it was so much fun!! 



Saturday, February 1, 2014

February 2014

Can you believe the first month of 2014 is gone already? How are you all doing in terms of your fitness/health goals? Have you recovered from 2013's holiday season? Have you been sticking to the plans that you set out for yourself at the beginning of the year? One month is already gone -- make the most of each day!

January 2013 was pretty good for me. Starting on the Whole Life Challenge soon after the year began has been an excellent way for me to shed those unfortunate holiday pounds and stay focused the bigger picture -- my health, getting fit, and losing these last few stubborn kilos.

With travel, family stuff, and getting back into work, January was not without stresses, but overall it went well. I didn't waste time wondering about what to do at the gym - I just went to the gym and did something. Bit by bit my overall plan started to come together and I've started February with a strategy in mind.

The first thing I did to start of the month right was to get back to my Saturday morning yoga on the beach sessions. It was really tough because I still can't put pressure on my wrist. I spent most of the session on my elbows/forearms -- boy was I sore afterwards! It was very challenging for me, but it was totally worth going. I know the only way to get my flexibility back is to keep on practicing.

I attempted a headstand after class. The last time I came to yoga, I was able to hold the headstand on my own. This time, however, it wasn't the same and I needed help. I was a bit sad to see how much of my core stability I had lost, but again - bit by bit I'll regain it. I just gotta keep trying.

The weekend is over here in Kuwait -- I've got a new (busy) week ahead of me.



Back to yoga on the beach -- assisting with some partner poses, being assisted with a headstand, and enjoying the nice cool sand on my feet