How do I beat the last month I’ve just had ? By training harder I suppose but that’s not how it feels. I am training harder and that’s because I’m fitter and stronger than I have ever been. The MMA has been fantastic, so much so I have bought my own MMA Shorts, do I look the dogs nads or what ?
Because I’m now training at the level that demands a good diet I have been introduced to shakes. Protein drinks are the best way to ensure you are getting what you need to recover and build muscle. It hasn’t gone smoothly and I’ve had to try a few different ones to find the one I can drink. I like vanilla and strawberry as a rule but not with protein drinks. I have found the chocolate to be the best and the easiest to get down.
The strawberry shake really tested my gag reflex and it was like trying to swallow really fluffy marshmallows that wanted to come back each time. My eyes watered and my knees came up to my chest as I prepared to launch my shake. Luckily for me and coach I kept it down but I didn’t enjoy it. I’m now drinking Chocolate Muscle Milk twice a day and it’s really nice. I have my first one straight after training with a banana in it and my second one at 21.00 (9 o’clock) in the evening.
The second additive I’m taking is Creatine Caps. I take 3 in the morning when I get up, 3 more an hour before I train and another 3 straight after I have trained. I also eat an orange with my second set of Creatines. My water intake is going well and I’m averaging about 7 bottles of water a day. That’s just over 2 litres and I’m now used to it. That doesn’t include what I drink when I’m training.
The Creatine is designed to help with Endurance, Strength, Power and Recovery. I weighed myself for the first time in a long time today and I was surprised to see I had gained 7lbs. I’m really happy with that as I’ve lost a lot of fat from around my chest, face and on my love handles and as I said before muscle is heavier than fat. I’m looking a lot leaner and a bit more defined. The biggest changes I can see are in my shoulders and chest and my arms are bigger. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is my stance, I stand and sit straight and I feel so much better. On the odd day I get a few aching muscles but not very often and it doesn’t last long.
I think I’m reaching the level where I’m now progressing each time I go in the gym. I’m getting personal bests (PB’s) at every exercise I do. I’m feeling really good and enjoying the process. The MMA training is coming on well and to aid in our cardio training with have introduced an exercise called “Hurricanes”. This is a heart busting exercise and really tests your resolve to keep going but it’s a fantastic feeling when you have finished. The exercise consists of 9, 15 second runs with 15 seconds rest between runs on the tread mill at a speed of 16 kph. That’s the first set of 3, the second set is the same run but this time in the 15 second rest you do 10 Butterfly Sit Ups. The third set again is the same run but this time with 10 Butterfly Sit Ups and 10 Wood Chops (5 each side) or 5 cleans.
Between sets 1,2 and 3 of the Hurricanes we do 9 wide pull ups and 30 assorted press ups, Greasing the Groove. J The press ups are done in 3 sets of 10 and range from Military, Marines, Wide, Triangle, one leg up and feet raised. Followed by 3 wide pull ups. It’s a very hard work out and quite an achievement to get through. The last exercise of the session is the bonus and normally this is the Jujitsu Press UP. This is my nemesis exercise and beats me every time. I’m getting closer to it each time and it want be long before I have mastered it.
Leave time is coming up and I’m looking forward to it, I have plenty planned for my bike and I’m interested to see how I will do with my added fitness. I have a track day planned and a 4 day trip the IOM to fly around the TT Circuit. What a combination, my fitness and no speed limits over the mountain, can’t wait.
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