Phoenyx's Final 10 & Journey to Fitness
- Thread starter Phoenyx
- Start date
Phoenyx
0
Woooo! 
Returned to my mixed martial arts class last night and got my butt KICKED! My sparring partner was a guy who is about 6'5", and has a correspondingly long reach. Also doesn't hold back as much when hitting the target mitts... which I consider a GOOD thing. Works the arms a lot better. We're still focusing on Brazilian Jiujitsu, which means a lot of grappling. We learned this one move last night that I could've seriously done some damage if I hadn't been watching where my knees went. Of course that would be the point if I were actually having to fight to get somebody off me. Still, didn't want to damage my sparring partner.
I'm also learning how to do the hip throws, and how to be thrown without getting too damaged myself. Its a lot of fun. Our instructor decided to have us work with 2 sticks when we moved to the escrima, instead of 1 like we've been doing. To me it was like trying to rub your belly & pat your head... the coordination just isn't there yet. Ah well, something new to practice. I got the zills down when I was taking the belly dancing classes. Kinda miss those, but since I can do a lot of that in my living room, I'm focusing on the martial arts classes for now. Hope to return to the belly dance classes someday soon.
Signed up for the Gung Fu seminar my mma instructor is teaching on the 18th. Should be a great class. So far all the afternoon seminars I've taken have been worth it. Of course I'm hoping he does another krav maga class some time soon.
Feeling kinda bloated and blah today. I think it must be getting close to TOM. Probably still detoxing from my vacation. I started drinking Jack on the 25th and didn't stop until Saturday. Time to get back to just the weekends for imbibing. I plan on having a lot of fun with Uncle Jack this weekend... what better way to bring in my 40th?
Returned to my mixed martial arts class last night and got my butt KICKED! My sparring partner was a guy who is about 6'5", and has a correspondingly long reach. Also doesn't hold back as much when hitting the target mitts... which I consider a GOOD thing. Works the arms a lot better. We're still focusing on Brazilian Jiujitsu, which means a lot of grappling. We learned this one move last night that I could've seriously done some damage if I hadn't been watching where my knees went. Of course that would be the point if I were actually having to fight to get somebody off me. Still, didn't want to damage my sparring partner. I'm also learning how to do the hip throws, and how to be thrown without getting too damaged myself. Its a lot of fun. Our instructor decided to have us work with 2 sticks when we moved to the escrima, instead of 1 like we've been doing. To me it was like trying to rub your belly & pat your head... the coordination just isn't there yet. Ah well, something new to practice. I got the zills down when I was taking the belly dancing classes. Kinda miss those, but since I can do a lot of that in my living room, I'm focusing on the martial arts classes for now. Hope to return to the belly dance classes someday soon.
Signed up for the Gung Fu seminar my mma instructor is teaching on the 18th. Should be a great class. So far all the afternoon seminars I've taken have been worth it. Of course I'm hoping he does another krav maga class some time soon.
Feeling kinda bloated and blah today. I think it must be getting close to TOM. Probably still detoxing from my vacation. I started drinking Jack on the 25th and didn't stop until Saturday. Time to get back to just the weekends for imbibing. I plan on having a lot of fun with Uncle Jack this weekend... what better way to bring in my 40th?
Phoenyx
0
The big 4-0 this weekend, huh? Happy early if I don't get to post again!
And welcome back.
Thanks!
Yep, 40. That was part of what was a fire under my arse to lose the weight this year. Didn't want to bring the excess baggage into the next decade.
My sister-in-law's b-day is on the same day, though she's 7 years younger than me. We're doing some kind of gathering this weekend. Not sure what that entails, but it should be fun.
jzthedetermined
New member
"Drive by"
From all of us in "Fly over" country, a list of rules for the "Coasties" who visit to follow... Purely for fun... lots of stereotypes... but still pretty funny... well probably to us Midwesterners any ways...
Midwest Rules!
Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross
states such as Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, those states' Tourism Councils have adopted a set of information guidelines. In an effort to help outsiders understand the Midwest, the following list will be handed to each driver entering the state!
1. That farm boy standing next to the feed bin did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a 'gravel road.' No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four wheel drive because I need it ... not just to keep up with the neighbors.
3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.
4. Any references to "corn fed" when talking about our women will get your butt whipped .. by our women.
5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead catfish breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little trout you fish for -- bait.
6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you pay for one drink at the airport.
9. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef' Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey
10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice!
11. So you have a sixty-thousand dollar car you drive on weekends. We're real impressed. We have quarter of a million dollar combines that we use two weeks a year.
12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
13. Our women hunt, fish, and drive pickups, trucks and tractors because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.
14. Yeah, we eat catfish. Carp, too -- and turtle. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
15. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstates 70, 80, & 90 go East & West; Interstates 29, 35,55,71 & 75 go North & South. Pick one and use it accordingly.
16. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.
17. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly.
18. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazard. It spooks the fish.
19. That Highway Patrol Officer who just pulled you over for driving like an idiot .. his name is "Sir"... no matter how old he is.
Now please, enjoy your visit. Just don't overdo your stay, we have corn to plant.
Hope you liked them...
I'M BAAAAAAACK!!!
I survived the midwest! Actually, I had a really good time. The race weekend was an absolute BLAST! My couple days' stay in Emporia was fun, and very bizarre.
From all of us in "Fly over" country, a list of rules for the "Coasties" who visit to follow... Purely for fun... lots of stereotypes... but still pretty funny... well probably to us Midwesterners any ways...
Midwest Rules!
Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross
states such as Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, those states' Tourism Councils have adopted a set of information guidelines. In an effort to help outsiders understand the Midwest, the following list will be handed to each driver entering the state!
1. That farm boy standing next to the feed bin did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a 'gravel road.' No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four wheel drive because I need it ... not just to keep up with the neighbors.
3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.
4. Any references to "corn fed" when talking about our women will get your butt whipped .. by our women.
5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead catfish breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little trout you fish for -- bait.
6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you pay for one drink at the airport.
9. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef' Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey
10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice!
11. So you have a sixty-thousand dollar car you drive on weekends. We're real impressed. We have quarter of a million dollar combines that we use two weeks a year.
12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
13. Our women hunt, fish, and drive pickups, trucks and tractors because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.
14. Yeah, we eat catfish. Carp, too -- and turtle. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
15. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstates 70, 80, & 90 go East & West; Interstates 29, 35,55,71 & 75 go North & South. Pick one and use it accordingly.
16. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.
17. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly.
18. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazard. It spooks the fish.
19. That Highway Patrol Officer who just pulled you over for driving like an idiot .. his name is "Sir"... no matter how old he is.
Now please, enjoy your visit. Just don't overdo your stay, we have corn to plant.
Hope you liked them...
Trops
New member
I plan on having a lot of fun with Uncle Jack this weekend... what better way to bring in my 40th?
Welcome to the club, Darlin'
Phoenyx
0
From all of us in "Fly over" country, a list of rules for the "Coasties" who visit to follow... Purely for fun... lots of stereotypes... but still pretty funny... well probably to us Midwesterners any ways...
Midwest Rules!
Because of misunderstandings that frequently develop when Easterners and Californians cross
states such as Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, those states' Tourism Councils have adopted a set of information guidelines. In an effort to help outsiders understand the Midwest, the following list will be handed to each driver entering the state!
1. That farm boy standing next to the feed bin did more work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a 'gravel road.' No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. I have a four wheel drive because I need it ... not just to keep up with the neighbors.
3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.
4. Any references to "corn fed" when talking about our women will get your butt whipped .. by our women.
5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead catfish breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little trout you fish for -- bait.
6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. That's right. Whiskey is only two bucks. We can buy a fifth for what you pay for one drink at the airport.
9. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef' Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey
10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice!
11. So you have a sixty-thousand dollar car you drive on weekends. We're real impressed. We have quarter of a million dollar combines that we use two weeks a year.
12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
13. Our women hunt, fish, and drive pickups, trucks and tractors because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.
14. Yeah, we eat catfish. Carp, too -- and turtle. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
15. They are pigs. That's what they smell like. Get over it. Don't like it? Interstates 70, 80, & 90 go East & West; Interstates 29, 35,55,71 & 75 go North & South. Pick one and use it accordingly.
16. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday. You can get breakfast at the church.
17. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly.
18. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazard. It spooks the fish.
19. That Highway Patrol Officer who just pulled you over for driving like an idiot .. his name is "Sir"... no matter how old he is.
Now please, enjoy your visit. Just don't overdo your stay, we have corn to plant.
Hope you liked them...
Those were great!But from what I experienced...
Whiskey costs more in Kansas than it does in California (at least Jack does)
Though before I was in Kansas, I had never seen or tasted the Green Label Jack. Not too bad. Gentleman is still my favorite.
I found a sushi place in Kansas. Granted it was Lawrence, Kansas... which is a college town, but still in the midwest nonetheless. Had really good sushi too.
I have a newfound appreciation for bbq ribs, and the Kansas City Strip steak. Overall my trip to the midwest was a meat extravaganza. The sushi was a snack one day.
Going to a NASCAR race in the midwest was an experience unto itself. I can't wait to go to one in the South.
I agree with the pants thing... that's a stupid look.
Feminist or not... I drive a pickup, weld and I've done my share of wrenching on cars because I want to. I'd drive a tractor, just to do it, if I got the opportunity.
Spent a lot of time on 70, 35 and 395 plus several others... I have pavement envy. The freeways of California suck. Experienced toll roads for the first time. Good idea if it is for keeping those roads as nice as they were.
I did experience that 'who the heck is that stranger in our town?' vibe when I was visiting a friend in Emporia for a couple days. And naturally the only person that approached us in downtown was the town crazy... who was from Lodi California. Nice guy even if he was a few cans short.
Phoenyx
0
Welcome to the club, Darlin'
Thanks!
Though its still a few days away, I'm not freaking out about it nearly as much as I was when I hit 30. Of course that may change as it gets closer.
Phoenyx
0
Oh yay! TOM hit this morning... no wonder I was feeling blah and bloated. 
Ah well, at least I can still don the 501s and not have to suck it in to button 'em up.
I tried the TaeBo Amped Jump Start Caridio workout last night. Never did a TaeBo workout before. I love it, but I need to get past laughing at Billy at times (sometimes what he says is hilarious, even though I know it isn't meant to be), and there's one of the chicks in the background that lets out with an "AAARRRRGH!" more often than should be allowed that's pretty annoying. I'll just have to tune it out. The workout is 41 minutes... and it was over before I realized. good stuff! Can't wait to try out the other ones in the set, but I'll do this one a few more times first to get a better hang of the moves. I think the fact that I've been doing martial arts for the past year really helps in my being able to keep up. Need to get one of those amped bars... I can see possibilities with it beyond the TaeBo workouts. Helpful with Escrima for one thing.
Getting back to my morning yoga routine too. Ah, to get that flexibility back!
Ah well, at least I can still don the 501s and not have to suck it in to button 'em up. I tried the TaeBo Amped Jump Start Caridio workout last night. Never did a TaeBo workout before. I love it, but I need to get past laughing at Billy at times (sometimes what he says is hilarious, even though I know it isn't meant to be), and there's one of the chicks in the background that lets out with an "AAARRRRGH!" more often than should be allowed that's pretty annoying. I'll just have to tune it out. The workout is 41 minutes... and it was over before I realized. good stuff! Can't wait to try out the other ones in the set, but I'll do this one a few more times first to get a better hang of the moves. I think the fact that I've been doing martial arts for the past year really helps in my being able to keep up. Need to get one of those amped bars... I can see possibilities with it beyond the TaeBo workouts. Helpful with Escrima for one thing.
Getting back to my morning yoga routine too. Ah, to get that flexibility back!
Curvie Girlie
New member
OMG, I seriously need to join a studio--maybe in a few months after I learn some belly dancing--cool you knew zills, those are HARD but I definitely surprised myself yesterday when I was practicing.
That is so cool you're into all that--I've been downloading torrents of past PRIDE fights because they're awesome and I'm in love with Aleksander Emelianenko for some reason
My buddy S. always teaches me what they're doing and what's legal, etc (although Wiki explains it, too). He told me once that this one move was called "the Rape Choke" but since it's not P.C., they don't use that term--and one time an announcer DID and was like, "Whoops! I mean....uh oh" LOL!!
Phoenyx
0
OMG, I seriously need to join a studio--maybe in a few months after I learn some belly dancing--cool you knew zills, those are HARD but I definitely surprised myself yesterday when I was practicing.
That is so cool you're into all that--I've been downloading torrents of past PRIDE fights because they're awesome and I'm in love with Aleksander Emelianenko for some reason
Its funny, even though I'm in to practicing and learning it, I don't watch any of the fights. I probably should at least once, just to see what they're doing. Had to go look up that rape choke thing... yikes!
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon to you too!
Curvie Girlie
New member
OMG.....one of the coolest things I have EVER seen was when Kevin Randleman almost broke Fedor Emelianenko's neck! And Fedor got up like it was NOTHING and went on to win the match!
Anyway, each fighter seems to emphasize his own realm of fighting. Ed and I were admiring the school of Chute Boxers--tough stuff!!
Anyway, each fighter seems to emphasize his own realm of fighting. Ed and I were admiring the school of Chute Boxers--tough stuff!!
Phoenyx
0
And back at the first 'goal'
Weekly weigh in this morning:
Weight: 164.9 (my first goal was 165)
Body fat: 25.2%
BMI: 24.3
So while I haven't gotten all of what I lost off from vacation (yeah, that was a whopping pound and a half), I am at (slightly under) 165, which was my goal when I started this journey. Well, it WAS 170, and then I decided to go to 165 to give myself a 5 pound buffer. Now I find I like how I look at 165 better than I did at 170, and I still feel I could go another 5-10 down. So that is what the ticker reflects. And the body fat went down a bit more too. I can't complain about that at all. Especially since this was TOM week.
Best thing about this? Original (modifie) goal... REACHED before my birthday! That was what I wanted to do!
Weekly weigh in this morning:
Weight: 164.9 (my first goal was 165)
Body fat: 25.2%
BMI: 24.3
So while I haven't gotten all of what I lost off from vacation (yeah, that was a whopping pound and a half), I am at (slightly under) 165, which was my goal when I started this journey. Well, it WAS 170, and then I decided to go to 165 to give myself a 5 pound buffer. Now I find I like how I look at 165 better than I did at 170, and I still feel I could go another 5-10 down. So that is what the ticker reflects. And the body fat went down a bit more too. I can't complain about that at all. Especially since this was TOM week.
Best thing about this? Original (modifie) goal... REACHED before my birthday! That was what I wanted to do!
Curvie Girlie
New member
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wow that is a LOT of weight you lost!
Phoenyx
0
Wow that is a LOT of weight you lost!
Heh... thanks!
76 pounds IS a lot of weight. You don't realize just how much it is until you pick something up that weighs 70+ pounds. All that was being carried around by me every day. I lost about 31% of my weight, and cut my fat percentage nearly in half. Can't complain about that.
Funny, I was hanging up my new jeans this evening, and still looking in disbelief that I even fit in them. Time to do the 'standing in the fat pants' picture.
Since these pics are both 'kneeling' types, they're a good example of 'before' and 'after'
Phoenyx
0
Ok, so ahh Totally HOT!!! Congrats you look fantastic! Jack never looked so good
Thanks, guys!
This may sound weird, or maybe a bit narcissistic, but it feels good to look good. Maybe it is because its a visible result of all the hard work I've put into it over the months? I know I appreciate it a lot more this time around BECAUSE of the hard work I've put into it.
That being said, I allowed myself to be a bit naughty yesterday. Family gathering at my brother in law's for my birthday, and my sister in law's, who has hers on the same day as mine. There was cake involved... I had to have some. It was red velvet cake.
So today its been about salad, lean proteins, etc. Gonna go get my ass kicked tonight too... should be a good workout.