Wed - Mixed Martial Arts

No real fallout from sparring yesterday. My temple, jaw, and ear are a bit sore from where I took at fairly hard hook from Lance, but the headgear took care of most of the blow and I'm learning to keep calm when I fight, not to tense up and even keep my guard up a reasonable amount of the time.

I took the stairs this morning and I didn't really notice it at the time but I wasn't as out of breath after climbing them at a "bounding pace".

My buddy Issac is coming to MMA for the first time tonight, I'm sure he thinks it's just like the "Kumute" from bloodsport or something like that... I assured him that there was neither glue nor shards of glass involved.

I also arrived a little later this morning than I would have liked to so technically I'm taking off a 1/2 hour early to make it to class on time, although I don't think anyone will notice.

Typical MMA Class:

• Warm up 10 minutes of cardio, either running, side steps or "shadow boxing" various multi-strike combos across the training area.
• 20 minutes active stretching and calisthenics. (Push-ups, Alternating elbows/pushups , core work.
• The remainder of the time (about an hour or so) is spent practicing striking , grappling, submissions, and take downs.
• Once per week we will have a "iron man" grappling competition. 50% intensity starting from the knees, winner stays to take on another opponent until he loses.
• All in all MMA is a really intense workout but as with most things you really need to put in the effort to make it worthwhile. There are a few guys who go and either don't pay attention or worse yet don't give 100% of their effort. Believe me you can pick them out during sparring or grappling practice. That, and they're still fat ;)
  

I also booked an alternate location for the wedding pictures, a local Atrium with live vegetation. Apparently it is extremely popular as I could only get a 5:30pm appointment. We most likely won't even use it if the weather is half decent but better safe then sorry.

• Breakfast - 3 slices low sodium turkey bacon, 1 c fat/sugar free raspberry yogurt.
• Lunch - Medium sized broiled chicken breast, 1.5 c steamed mixed vegetables (green beans, peas, red/yellow pepper, carrot and onion)
• Snack - EAS Myoplex Deluxe protein bar, 1 c raspberries.
  
• Dinner - (Really hungry after MMA kind of fell down a bit and really shouldn't have had the rice) 4 slices turkey bacon, 1 c spanish rice, 1 c steamed broccoli, 1 pickle (!)