Determined To Succeed

My friends, I have been honored.

Yesterday, Unbeknownst to me and on the same day I wrote part one of my blog post about him, martial arts and self defense expert Doug Shaffer, my sensei, wrote his blog post about me (WHICH YOU CAN READ BY CLICKING HERE) . It was very cool to read how my workouts could inspire a teacher who has been doing this for as long as he has, especially when just being in his class inspires me (and by the way I DID TWO HONEST-TO-GOODNESS PUSH-UPS YESTERDAY).

In my blog yesterday I began my Q&A with Sensei Doug about how mixed martial arts can be awesome for physical fitness. Today, I continue my conversation with Doug so grab your morning cup of coffee and jump into (or kick or punch) reading more about the benefits of using MMAs (mixed martial arts) to enhance a weight loss journey…

Sensei, what do you want people to learn when they come to you inquiring about MMAs as a way to improve fitness? Are your goals the same as theirs?

I guess the biggest thing I want people to understand is that everyone can do this at any point in their lives. It’s never too late to get yourself in shape and start moving. Everyone has reservations about embarking upon a life change such as this, but when you have good coaching, it’s a gradual, beneficial change that is much longer lasting. My goals as a teacher are the same as my students’. Most teachers might have a different opinion, but not me. I’m in the business of improving the quality of people’s lives through staying healthy, training, and learning. I still compete, and I still train everyday, just as my students do. The students tell me that they, too, are there in order to improve their lives through what I have to offer. We all treat each other as an extended family and every time a new student walks in the door, they are welcomed as a part of that family. We all have learned over time that this is not easy, but we also lean on each other for support along the way. I want everyone to know that they can do this! EVERYONE can practice.

What kind of diets do you suggest people follow to go along with MMA training?

This is a complicated question, and the answer is subject to the needs of the person training. Again, please ask your doctor first. If you’re not used to any kind of training at all, you’ll need to do some research as to what to eat to provide the correct nutrients and long lasting natural energy. Asking your health care professional is the best place to start.

What are the benefits of doing MMAs? Toning? Strength training? Etc?

MMA is a great way to not only improve your cardiovascular health, but increase your range of motion, and flexibility while toning and developing. It really is a complete system that calls on your whole body to perform. During an average session you’ll not only be burning calories, but you’ll be focusing on the development of your body and getting closer to the way you want to see yourself in the mirror. It’s a very rewarding feeling watching your arms, chest, back, and stomach begin to chisel out after just your first few weeks – yes, I said weeks – of training. There is no such thing as being too strong. This is your time to improve yourself and work on your own personal goals.

What is a good recommended workout regimen in terms of days per week, hours per day and time spent?

If you are just getting started with a new routine, I recommend training at least three times per week. If you are training in a studio or a gym with a trainer, they will have a program in place for you that will have you working anywhere from 45 minutes to and hour. When you are not at the gym, it’s important to stay lose and open by stretching at home, and making sure you’re staying on track with the proper diet as recommended by your doctor. Diet and exercise must work together in order to have any good results. If you’ve already been training for some time you might want to try bumping up to 4-5 days per week. Most importantly, it’s key to listen to your body. If you feel that you’re over doing it you need to take time to rest and prepare for the next session. Your body will tell you when it’s tired. Please take time to enjoy what you do.

Want to know the kicker (ha, I made a martial arts joke)? Even though I leave Sensei Doug’s class drained and tired I always go back and try to do something I’ve learned harder and faster, to test what I’ve learned and to build on that now that my body has warmed up a bit and isn’t so stiff.

So if you’re thinking about fitness, just like Daniel-san found out in “The Karate Kid,” it all starts with a great teacher. Thanks, Doug, for everything. See you again soon.

Please tell me you guys watch SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND on Starz. It is truly my favorite show on TV these days. And even if you don’t watch it the name alone would probably tell you all you need to know (well, almost all because there is no way I could – or should – describe all the intrigue, language and sex that show has to offer).

In this incredibly violent, sexy R-Rated show our hero, Spartacus, is a slave at a school for gladiators. He trains under the watchful eyes of his school’s owner and its lead instructor, who (literally)  cracks the whip in order for the men to train longer and fight harder eventually become the best and strongest gladiators in all of Rome.Yesterday, I went for the second of two free appointments with a personal trainer and I have to say two things. Damn, my muscles ache today (how cool that it that I actually feel it working) and I actually feel like I am training to be a gladiator.

Not that my personal trainer ever uses the whip but when I go I do think of him as Spartacus’ lead instructor, pushing me harder and training me up to become the best I can be. Even doing something seemingly as simple as leg lunges he teaches you, if done correctly, how much it works out the leg muscles and burns fat. And boy does it burn. When I was losing weight I did whatever exercises I could just to burn the weight off. But now my trainer works to burn off fat which is what I need to happen now. I am at that stage where toning would DEFINITELY be beneficial.

Every time I did mountain climbers, leg presses, dumbbell pulls, hanging ab crunches, “Superman” back exercises, medicine ball leg lifts, you name it, I felt better and stronger for having done them. I think about how many people before me have trained on the same equipment, done the same exercises and followed the same plan to become the best gladiators they could be and now I was following in their footsteps (or in this case, lunges).

Does it sound hokey, sure. But if you watch that show you will understand that the ground on which they train is sacred to them. It is where blood and sweat meet with legend and that it’s an honor to train at this gladiator school. After completing these past two sessions I feel the same way. I may ache today but my body and mind are better for having done it, the gym an honored training ground (ok, minus the blood but there was sweat and lots of it).

As part of that training here is what was prescribed in my meal plan and actually what I did:

Meal 1 ½ Grapefruit and 3 Egg Whites (instead of egg whites I had egg substitute and a clementine orange)

Meal 2 1 ½ Whole Wheat Pasta, Can Tuna, Balsamic Dressing (I didn’t have this at all, instead opting for a simple cup of cereal and milk. It’s what I felt like having at the time)

Meal 3 6 oz. Yam, 4 oz. Turkey, 3 cups of cauliflower (I did have the turkey, and instead of yams and cauliflower I had broccoli)

Meal 4 2 Yogurts (I totally had these)

Meal 5 8 oz. Pork Chops, 3 Cups Mushrooms, Salad (I replaced this meal with slices of ham and brussel sprouts along with a diet iced tea from Wawa and a diet ginger ale)

In the show, when the gladiators train, they always mention weaknesses. In the arena, if an opponent sees them they are exploited. My weaknesses are snacking. Even though I snacked on yogurts, cheese sticks and Jello packs I need to curtail them, too. They are my weaknesses and I know it.

Today is Saturday, and at least in New Jersey it’s going to be a glorious day somewhere around 70-degrees. As I wrap up today’s writing here’s what’s on today’s menu:

Meal 1 Oatmeal (I’ve already replaced this with cereal for this morning)

Meal 2 String Cheese and Yogurt

Meal 3 Lean Cuisine (Glazed chicken or Herb Roasted Chicken)

Meal 4 Apple with Peanut Butter

Meal 5 Steak, String Beans and Salad

Also, I can’t wait to get outside and get to the gym. It may not be under the watchful gaze of my instructor but the training stays with you. It keeps you motivated. It keeps you going. It keeps you moving forward so that when you’re there, alone, working out you can see your potential self. I am one of the cheesiest people I know but I swear to you when I am done with a good workout all I want to to is throw my hands in the air and scream…wait for it…

…I AM SPARTACUS!