Sometimes blogs don't have to really be about anything. Sometimes they have to be about specifics. I think it really is based on what is going on with the blogger on that day. Today might be one of those really meandering ones. There is so much going on these days that no matter where you turn, there is always something that has to be taken care of, a fire to be put out. That is the nature of life in these times I guess. There seems to be so much to see and do, they all seem to be "have to" most of the time. I look at the changes that I have made in my life over the last two years. I left a "secure" job as a Patrol Sgt for a local Police Department to start my own business. I made the choice to be there for my family.
Leave it to me to do that as we entered a massive recession. It has really worked out well in spite of the economy. The business model is great and we have great coaches to help me. We have continued to grow rapidly and flourished. Is it scary at time? Heck yes! I would not change it for the world. We were chosen as Amazing Athletes Franchise of the Year for the last 2 years. It seems we are doing something right. I also do not regret the ability to be there for my family whenever they need me.
I still see areas where we can make changes to ease some of the craziness. We have been watching less T.V. and doing a lot of family activities. We had a Violetea party last week. There was a large group of young ladies and their Moms at the house. It was great! The girls loved it. The two boys had a great time also! We have had lots of reading time together as well as board games. Sometimes just slowing down is the best thing to do.
Having said that, I will be opening up some training slots after Christmas. I will have some time during the day in Plano and evenings in Rockwall. If you are interested email me.
I restarted sets of 20 this week. I am working on program minimum. It is about fixing the basics and moving from there. The Get Ups were rough as I am attempting to hit perfection on each and every movement. I noticed my foot was coming up tonight. I used some tips from Dragon Door to work on that problem. There is lots of great advice on the forums. I never stop learning or trying to improve.
We should have some video up later this week.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Kids at Play
It was a semi rough week for training. We had some illness (Strep)at the house that spread to my parents, so training was pushed to the side on Thursday and Friday. This morning was just recovery for everyone. What does that do for my current program? It just puts me a week behind. In the big scheme it is not that big of a deal. I will actually restart where I was last week, sets of 20 instead of 30 or even 40 on swings.
I have found missed workouts are just part of life. I would probably have a real setback if I did not train with children everyday. I have learned so much about training from the kids over the last two years. Children just like to move and play. While structure is needed, sometimes letting them chose what to do makes a world of difference. Children move and function naturally. they do not worry about "correct" movements as defined by trainers at the gym. It is great to watch them run and play with pure joy, it translates into the function that we as adults strive for. I believe that we become so burdened and bound up by training at the fancy gyms that it hampers us. There are all kinds of studies out there that touch on this. I will research some and write up an entry later.
I was on the sidewalk of the correct road at least before I found Pavel and the RKC. I trained heavy with heavy weights and lower reps. I trained compound movements for the majority of my workouts. I stayed away from machines as much as I could. It just did not feel right to use all of the cables and chairs that were at the gym. To sit down and exercise seemed to go against what we are trying to accomplish. There are some exercises were you are seated that make sense to achieve certain goals, seated Kettlebell military presses, but a complete workout seated? Maybe not the best way to do it.
I had a lot more injuries on the sidewalk. I was not using the correct methods to lift. My bench sucked for shoulder safety. I pushed with my shoulders by my ears. It was no wonder I was always hurt. I used crappy form in squats and my knees hurt all of the time. I had so much knee and shoulder pain that surgery was a real possibility on both areas.
What does this have to do with kids at play and their training? Kids are not injured all of the time by their exercise/play. Yes, they fall of the monkey bars, bang heads and fall, but how often are they injured by the exercise? It is something I am researching, but in my training of children, I have observed very few sports type injuries. Those injuries tend to occur when children begin to play organized sports and they are pushed hard to excel. Adults always seem to have nagging little injuries. Maybe we need to remember how we played as kids...
One thing I am seeing more of is video games affecting our kids lives. Children seem to be losing some of the real activity that they need in their lives. I was teaching tennis the other week and had several children that they already knew how to play. Where did they learn? They learned on Wii. It would be funny, but I have had them say it about numerous sports, baseball, football and especially bowling! These same children are the ones that seem to be in the worst shape physically and in some cases emotionally. Exercise and mental well being go hand in hand. The ability to catch and throw does equate with an increased ability to excel in school.
Somewhat of a random, meandering post, but hopefully gives a reason to think about training and also what are kids are doing.
I have found missed workouts are just part of life. I would probably have a real setback if I did not train with children everyday. I have learned so much about training from the kids over the last two years. Children just like to move and play. While structure is needed, sometimes letting them chose what to do makes a world of difference. Children move and function naturally. they do not worry about "correct" movements as defined by trainers at the gym. It is great to watch them run and play with pure joy, it translates into the function that we as adults strive for. I believe that we become so burdened and bound up by training at the fancy gyms that it hampers us. There are all kinds of studies out there that touch on this. I will research some and write up an entry later.
I was on the sidewalk of the correct road at least before I found Pavel and the RKC. I trained heavy with heavy weights and lower reps. I trained compound movements for the majority of my workouts. I stayed away from machines as much as I could. It just did not feel right to use all of the cables and chairs that were at the gym. To sit down and exercise seemed to go against what we are trying to accomplish. There are some exercises were you are seated that make sense to achieve certain goals, seated Kettlebell military presses, but a complete workout seated? Maybe not the best way to do it.
I had a lot more injuries on the sidewalk. I was not using the correct methods to lift. My bench sucked for shoulder safety. I pushed with my shoulders by my ears. It was no wonder I was always hurt. I used crappy form in squats and my knees hurt all of the time. I had so much knee and shoulder pain that surgery was a real possibility on both areas.
What does this have to do with kids at play and their training? Kids are not injured all of the time by their exercise/play. Yes, they fall of the monkey bars, bang heads and fall, but how often are they injured by the exercise? It is something I am researching, but in my training of children, I have observed very few sports type injuries. Those injuries tend to occur when children begin to play organized sports and they are pushed hard to excel. Adults always seem to have nagging little injuries. Maybe we need to remember how we played as kids...
One thing I am seeing more of is video games affecting our kids lives. Children seem to be losing some of the real activity that they need in their lives. I was teaching tennis the other week and had several children that they already knew how to play. Where did they learn? They learned on Wii. It would be funny, but I have had them say it about numerous sports, baseball, football and especially bowling! These same children are the ones that seem to be in the worst shape physically and in some cases emotionally. Exercise and mental well being go hand in hand. The ability to catch and throw does equate with an increased ability to excel in school.
Somewhat of a random, meandering post, but hopefully gives a reason to think about training and also what are kids are doing.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Square one for eating habits
It is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the gluttony is almost over! I ate like a pig for about four days, but saying that, I did try to be a little more moderate than I have in the past. It worked out pretty well for the most part. I think I only gained 100 pounds or so. I think the weekend opened my eyes to my lack of a good eating plan. I try to eat fairly moderate meals the majority of the time. It does not always work, but nothing works all of the time.
I have looked at the Warrior Diet in the past and tried it for a week. It was not an enjoyable experience for me as I felt sick as a dog the entire time. This article by mc at Begin to Dig is the best look at that system I have seen. I found it as I was reviewing the Warrior Diet to try it again. His Blog is incredible for all of his writings! It showed me why it is not a good choice for me. So along with going back to the drawing board for my training, it is time to fix my eating also.
I really need to go back to eating clean, fresh and organic foods. The entire house ate this way for a long time with great results. It takes a concerted effort to do so as we have lots of activities and seem to be on the road a lot. We have a fund raiser at Chili's tomorrow. that should be fun to figure out how to eat well.That might mean eating food brought from the house during the day and stopping at Sprouts or Herbmart on the way home from the day to cook at the house.
I did train over the Holiday in Tulsa. I did 8 sets of 20 swings and active movement on 1 day and 5 minutes of Get Ups on another day. I also did lots of Joint Mobility, Wall Squats and Pumps to keep the damage to a minimum.
I have looked at the Warrior Diet in the past and tried it for a week. It was not an enjoyable experience for me as I felt sick as a dog the entire time. This article by mc at Begin to Dig is the best look at that system I have seen. I found it as I was reviewing the Warrior Diet to try it again. His Blog is incredible for all of his writings! It showed me why it is not a good choice for me. So along with going back to the drawing board for my training, it is time to fix my eating also.
I really need to go back to eating clean, fresh and organic foods. The entire house ate this way for a long time with great results. It takes a concerted effort to do so as we have lots of activities and seem to be on the road a lot. We have a fund raiser at Chili's tomorrow. that should be fun to figure out how to eat well.That might mean eating food brought from the house during the day and stopping at Sprouts or Herbmart on the way home from the day to cook at the house.
I did train over the Holiday in Tulsa. I did 8 sets of 20 swings and active movement on 1 day and 5 minutes of Get Ups on another day. I also did lots of Joint Mobility, Wall Squats and Pumps to keep the damage to a minimum.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Into the breach once again...
In looking back at all of my training I notice one thing, when I follow a slower path I do much better. I always suffer illness and injury when I go all out from the get go. I have a habit of running full speed at all times and not taking the proper time to work up to it. I even had an argument about taking time to reach the goals of the VWC. His take was you had to hit 50 sets from day one, mine was taking the time to work up to it. Kenneth Jay laid out a steady work schedule that built you up to the 80 x 8 over some time. Never heard from the other guy, now considered an "Expert." but so be it.
The point being, I have decided to step back and complete the program minimum. I have never gone through the entire plan, partly due to be ADD I think. I have set down and written up my plan of attack. I have a path to follow and that makes it a little easier to follow through with. As I tell the Amazing Athletes Coaches, if it is written down, it will get done. I have modified it for my daily activity level by making my active recovery less intense. I am starting out with the 24kg due to my hip flexor injury. I will move to heavier weights when it says to on the plan.
Tonight was pretty good. I started out with Joint Mobility including Halos, Wall Squats and Pumps. I then hit 8 sets of 20 swings with 1 minute of active movement. My hip flexor was a little tight, but not painful. It is a start.
I do plan on Kettlebell training over Thanksgiving. We are taking a break from the Combatives this week. There is no class on Saturday this week.
Here is a great clip from Scientific Wrestling.
The point being, I have decided to step back and complete the program minimum. I have never gone through the entire plan, partly due to be ADD I think. I have set down and written up my plan of attack. I have a path to follow and that makes it a little easier to follow through with. As I tell the Amazing Athletes Coaches, if it is written down, it will get done. I have modified it for my daily activity level by making my active recovery less intense. I am starting out with the 24kg due to my hip flexor injury. I will move to heavier weights when it says to on the plan.
Tonight was pretty good. I started out with Joint Mobility including Halos, Wall Squats and Pumps. I then hit 8 sets of 20 swings with 1 minute of active movement. My hip flexor was a little tight, but not painful. It is a start.
I do plan on Kettlebell training over Thanksgiving. We are taking a break from the Combatives this week. There is no class on Saturday this week.
Here is a great clip from Scientific Wrestling.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Kettlebells And Martial Arts
This is a Dragon Door Clip, but it says what I believe. I have found very few things that go as well with martial arts and combatives as kettlebells. The movements, techniques and patterns mirror what you need for the fight.
I will be putting up videos after Thanksgiving with examples of how Shen Chuan and Kettlebells fit together like Peanut Butter and Jelly.
I have the opportunity to hit two Certs in 2010. I will be at RKCII and CK-FMS. I wish I had attended them earlier, but better late then never. To be ready, I will be setting my training up in a pretty firm block and will document everything starting in January.
We had a great group class this morning.
Swings
10 Swings, 20 Swings x 3 sets
10 Swings x 4 sets
Get ups
1 x 5 Naked
2 x 1 l,r,
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Dang
I started the new program and was pretty excited for the first couple of workouts. I really enjoyed pushing some heavy weights. I think part of the problem is that get so excited and over do it. That coupled with turning 42 last week probably caused me to push harder then I needed to. I have screwed up my hip flexor a little bit. It was not that big of a deal until last night's workout when I was doing heavy squats and double swings. I cannot sit down right now and expect to get up and walk. today was so bad that I was forced to my knees after sitting at my desk and trying to walk.
I am trying to rehab a little with foam roller and massage stick work coupled with high doses of Advil. It is amazing how a little roller work goes a long way. I am also avoiding sitting for long periods. I am typing this standing up with good result.
What is good about all of this? I did get Return Of the Kettlebell book and DVD last night. I figure that I have a couple weeks of being careful and backing off to really study the new material. I am looking forward to getting back on track.
The group class was pretty good this morning. We worked on cleans as practice today before getting into the actual session. The workout today consisted of swings and Get Ups. The swings were set as rung, 10, 15, 20 for 2 ladders. Get Ups were started as "practice" with no weight at first. We really tried hitting perfect points to get the forms right. Tiny weights were added to put a load on the exercise.
Everybody looked pretty good at the end of the day.
I am trying to rehab a little with foam roller and massage stick work coupled with high doses of Advil. It is amazing how a little roller work goes a long way. I am also avoiding sitting for long periods. I am typing this standing up with good result.
What is good about all of this? I did get Return Of the Kettlebell book and DVD last night. I figure that I have a couple weeks of being careful and backing off to really study the new material. I am looking forward to getting back on track.
The group class was pretty good this morning. We worked on cleans as practice today before getting into the actual session. The workout today consisted of swings and Get Ups. The swings were set as rung, 10, 15, 20 for 2 ladders. Get Ups were started as "practice" with no weight at first. We really tried hitting perfect points to get the forms right. Tiny weights were added to put a load on the exercise.
Everybody looked pretty good at the end of the day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
New Program
I have been using the Swing and Get up as my two main exercises for quite a long time and have decided to work with a new program for a few weeks. I will be working off a Mahler program for explosiveness and strength. This is partly to just do something different and partly because I am pretty thin, or so I have been told.
The new program is from Mike Mahler's Aggressive Strength Solutions. I figure that I can follow this for about 4 weeks or so before the next change. I have also ordered Pavel's newest, Return of The Kettlebell. I look forward to following that program for a while. It should correspond well with the RKC II certification. I will be headed to it next summer! I hope to attend CK-FMS after that. I had to think pretty hard about which to attend first. I have more time to train and save if I do it this way.
this is the first two days of what I am working on. I am looking at building explosive strength. I am not using heavy kettlebells for this. I am using 53's for this part and will use some heavier for Thursday and Friday.
Workout on Monday
Quick Clean and Press
8 x 3
Hang Snatch
6 x 3 left and right
Renegade Row
2 x 5
Tuesday
Explosive Lunge
8 x 3
Double swing
6 x 3
Get Up
2 x 3
The new program is from Mike Mahler's Aggressive Strength Solutions. I figure that I can follow this for about 4 weeks or so before the next change. I have also ordered Pavel's newest, Return of The Kettlebell. I look forward to following that program for a while. It should correspond well with the RKC II certification. I will be headed to it next summer! I hope to attend CK-FMS after that. I had to think pretty hard about which to attend first. I have more time to train and save if I do it this way.
this is the first two days of what I am working on. I am looking at building explosive strength. I am not using heavy kettlebells for this. I am using 53's for this part and will use some heavier for Thursday and Friday.
Workout on Monday
Quick Clean and Press
8 x 3
Hang Snatch
6 x 3 left and right
Renegade Row
2 x 5
Tuesday
Explosive Lunge
8 x 3
Double swing
6 x 3
Get Up
2 x 3
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