Krav and Striking Class…single Leg take down, elbows, and asymmetrical sparring

This 3 hour workout training time was a welcomed diversion. Had to deal with a customer who was being a racist bigot last night at work. Trying to cause trouble and get a coworker fired because of her skin color. So when it came time to hit and kick things I was ready.

In Krav we worked on our jab, cross, and hook, stepping off the line to get a rear hook in. This set us up to do a single leg take down. Putting your opponents on the ground. We also worked on the kicking from prone position then got up to combat base.

After Krav I worked on Muay Thai with my husband. We worked on hooks, horridontal elbows, to faking missing horizontal elbow to spinning back elbow. This all felt good and I am at a point that I more or less know the moves. I need to work on them but if you tell me to do a sequence of say jab, cross, right round kick and left round kick, I can do that. This is both cool and amazing cause we are working on ways to string our skills together and ways to mislead your opponents and get a hit in. When I first started out this was daunting but sparring is becoming fun.

In striking class we worked on asymmetrical sparring. This makes us work on different entries into strikes. So for instance one person gets to do only kicks and the other person Ann only do punches. You know what your opponents tools are so you can work on blocks for those but you only can use certain tools as well.

In an fight/adrenaline situation you don’t know what tools will bubble up, so training all the tools and getting proficient in them is very helpful. My Kru Kristen always says “you don’t rise to the occasion like most people think. You will fall back on your bad habbits and things you drilled the most.” So if I have a habit of dropping my hands when I am tired I will do the same in a fight where the adrenaline dumps.

Class was fantastic and wonderful, I am exhausted after 3 hours but so happy I did it.

Thanks for reading this far. Have a great weekend.

Thursday Muay Thai and Kali…Thai Rank 1/Level 1 test and Espada Y Daga

Today was an exciting day! A welcomed exciting day because yesterday while I trained Muay Thai for about 2 hours and got good training in. I had a bad head day. I could not get out of my head yesterday so it colored my training yesterday.

I did get into the store and did some retail therapy, I got a pair of jeans that are 2 sizes smaller than the jeans I have at home. Yay for non scale victories. They are from the same manufacturer as my previous jeans… yay! But that is neither here nor there.

Today was exciting, because a friend of mine was going up for her Rank 1 test. We need to celebrate each other. I was excited for her, and was happy to give her pep talks just to stave off some of her nerves. To give you reference. I am 3rd arm band in…or orange. She went up for Student Level 1/ Rank 1. The solid blue band on the chart above. I have 4 bands between me and that test. *eye twitch* Yeah its a bit daunting but I will take each test one at a time. I may be up for testing for green arm band next month. We will see.

We got a chance to work with another person D, and learn some of the things he learned. You see he just got back from Thailand and was able to train at some 8 gyms in Bangkok and is a wealth of information. After training with him, we all stopped to support A, encourage her, and help count her kicks and knees. For this Student Level 1/Rank 1 test she had to get so many knees and kicks in during a three minute round. She had to do two, three minute rounds back to back. She did fantastic and she was awarded her blue arm band. I am so very proud for her. She did fantastically.

Here is a video of one of the rounds that she had while testing.

https://youtu.be/hX-u8Rddfso

In Kali we worked on Espada Y Daga again. This time it was not so melty of the brain. I was able to get off the line and figure out my angles. I was able to gunting the 1-5 attacks, and deal with a dagger attacks from the other hand. Today Kali was clicking. I was getting it. My muscle memory was working. I was getting the shots in, and returning with what would be devastating blows had they been real blades.

So over all a great day. I got some clothes that fit better, and got to help support a friend for an awesome nerve wrecking Thai test. I got to practice Kali, and it did not melt my brain today. It seemed to all click. But I am prepared to run into trouble later, when we add another move and I need to wrap my brain around that move and get my body to do the thing my brain is telling it to.

If you got this far and are still reading, thank you! I hope you have an amazing rest of your day. Keep up your work, and keep trucking as we say around here. As always if you are feeling frogy drop me a comment and let me know what you think.

The Team I Love!

Tuesday Muay Thai and Kali… when bad weather cancels your training…

  • Snow
  • Sweat

When bad weather cancels your training you adapt and make your muscles pay for the weathers bad decisions.

So I just found out that my training/classes are not happening today. We have a huge winter storm coming in, with snow falling now to sleet and then freezing rain. I completely understand they want the instructors to be safe and I am totally for that. Now I have to come up with a workout to do today… maybe some shadowboxing, cardio and movement. Will fill you in when I get back on what I did. Off to change and brave the cold.

This for sure was not as fun as Muay Thai and Kali, but it was a workout, and my muscles are sore again. So it did its job.

Workout: 50 minute

  • 30 minutes on recumbent bike hills setting. I did 6 miles and broke a sweat yay!
  • 10 minutes of shadowboxing, punches, elbows and kicks
  • 3 sets of planks 45 second, 30 second, and 30 second
  • 50 crunches
  • 100 flutter kicks
  • 1 minute of straight leg lift
  • 3 sets of 10 stability ball pikes
This is a stability ball pike if you were curious, I love this exercise.

So yeah… made a workout out out frozen failed plans. If the weather is stopping you from going out, do a workout in the house. If you have youtube and a small amount of floor space, you can get one in.

Thanks again for reading and have a happy warm night. Stay safe if you are in my neck of the woods, and if you are some where warm, think of me. =) As always if you have questions or comments talk to me.

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Grrrl clothing is fantastic and supports all girls of all sizes. Its workout clothing made by girls to help empower women. Who does not like a discount? They gave me a 20% off discount just for you my readers. Use this code: nom1yq8d

https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Weight lifting workout for week 1/28/2019…when I feel like I am a potato.

This is one of those weeks that I feel like a potato. Something round and undesirable. This particular feeling rears it’s ugly head often enough. It may be from salt, it could be because I am close to my period/monthly time (never been regular that did not change after hysterectomy due to a tumor), and or it could just be my brain weasels.

I wore my tank top that says Will Is A Skill, and it really is. I had to will myself to do my workout and to just keep at it. I have heard of other people having this problem.

So this is how I cope. I try different things…

  • I try finding something that I like in the mirror. (that did not work today)
  • I sometimes go to the sports store and find cute workout tights, bra or shirt, or all the above. (I did not do that today.)
  • Sometimes I look up a different workout for me to try that day, it gives me something different to work on, and focuses my brain on the new thing. (I did not do that today.)
  • I try to find a treat snack that makes me feel like I am getting a treat and not eating something horrible. (For instance banana, almond butter, and dark chocolate chips… I did not do that today.)
  • Other days I just push myself through my workout. I make sure to push myself to get that extra rep in, or get that mile run under my normal time. ( Ding, ding, ding. I did this today. I get a satisfaction of completing a workout and the endorphins that come with it.)

I did the push myself through workout. While I am happy I completed the workout and got more reps in. I am still feeling meh. These coping mechanisms do not make the feeling go away entirely, they just let me continue my journey. I would feel entirely worse if I gave in to my mood and just gave up or did not do it. Anyway enough babbling.

My workout routine is Monday and Friday weight lifting and running, and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday – Muay Thai, Kali, Krav and Striking.

Here is my weight lifting workout for the week: 48 minutes (note: go at your own pace I put my weights down for my reference.)

  • 22 minute run
  • 50 prison squats
  • 3 sets crush press x 10 reps at 50 lbs
  • 3 sets of tricep extension x 8 reps at 25 lbs
  • 3 sets of bulgarian split squats x 15 reps
  • 3 sets of bench dumbell glute bridges x 10 reps at 30 lbs

Keep up being awesome, and keep going. Even when the mean brain weasels are out and about. Luckily today is one of those days where I don’t have the time to deal with those thoughts. I have had to work this morning, came home at 12 pm, home school my kids, get into the gym, make dinner , and now go to work again till about 10:30 pm tonight.

Thanks for reading. Here is a motivational poster that makes me giggle.

Grrrl clothing is fantastic and supports all girls of all sizes. Its workout clothing made by girls to help empower women. Who does not like a discount so they gave me a 20% off discount just for you my readers. Use this code: nom1yq8d

https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Healthy Lunch… Rainbow Hummus Veggie Sandwich

Having a hard time finding something healthy and filling to eat? Try this quick lunch sandwich. One of my favorite, I got my husband hooked on them. He even craves them. My kiddos love to eat them as well.

It is as simple as filling the pita bread with a layer of hummus, and any sliced veggies you fancy eating. You can change out the veggies to keep it interesting. I have added calories and nutritional information for this particular sandwich I made. What ever you change will change these numbers of course.

The more color the better. The color indicates different vitamins and minerals that your body needs to run like the well oiled machine it can be. Red and orange fruits and veggies, like bell peppers, oranges, and carrots usually contain vitamin C, vitamin A, retinol, and lycopene. Green and yellow fruits and veggies, like avocado and pistachio, have luteins that help prevent degeneration as you get older, and they are high in vitamin C. Dark greens give you Iron. Green cruciferous veggies such as broccoli contain, iron, vitamin K, folic acid, as well as potassium. Blue and purple fruits and veggies tend to have anthocyanins or antioxidants. Eat the rainbow for your health.

Here are great articles on the colors of fruits and veggies if you want to read more about it.

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/colors-vegetables-nutrients-2311.html https://www.color-meanings.com/fruit-and-vegetable-colors-meaning-and-benefits/

Recipe: Rainbow Hummus Veggie Sandwich

Ingredients:

  • 1 Pita bread cut in half
  • 2 tbs or 50 g hummus
  • two small hand full or 24 g arugula
  • 1/2 or 99 g bell pepper
  • 10 slices or 42 g cucumber
  • 3 slices or 22 g tomato
  • 5 g onion

Directions:

  • Slice up veggies, cut bread in half, put a layer of hummus inside the pocket on one side and stuff with veggies. Enjoy!

Stats for all of that food:

Calories 299, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 7.8 g, Carbs 38.4 g, Sodium 530.1 mg,

Protein 10.6 g

The best ting is mt kids love to eat it as well. Thanks for reading and let me know if you liked this post.

Saturday Mixed Striking and Krav… boxing cover and respond, double Leg take downs

exhaustion

Today I was feeling over all okay. Just a general feeling of meh. I got enough sleep because after work, I finished work at 10:45 pm, I passed out. I had some bad news yesterday where a friend and former coworker died this week. I have shed tears but over all… just been meh. But my workout was a blessed distraction from current emotions. Maybe not a great coping method but it was nice to make my body exhausted and focus on something else.

Three hours and 50 minutes of martial arts training. I am pooped. On Saturday we wake up early (that is 8 am to get to the gym by 10 am) and as a family take Krav Maga for an hour. Because don’t you know… that is what normal families do. Learn how to take down an assailant together. After Krav I practice Muay Thai with my husband for an hour while we wait for our Mixed Striking class. In the Mixed Striking class we can cover anything from Kali, to JKD, to Wing Chun, to Panantuken, to Silat, and Muay Thai. This class we worked on Muay Thai boxing.

One hour of Krav we worked on our boxing, and slipping. We did jab, cross, slip, cross, jab, slip drills. We did jab, cross, hook, slip drills. The goal is to get smoother in your movements and keep from getting hit. We moved into learning transitions to the double leg take down. How to shoot your leg in between your opponents leg, lift them up after bringing your other leg up, and dumping them on the ground. This is the only class that the kids and I attend together.

Here are two videos of me working on the jab, cross, slip, cross, jab, slip, and jab, cross, hook, slip. If you watch these are taken after about 3 hours and 30 minutes. I am tired, and my hands are dropping, I am not guarding my face as well as I should be. These are things that I have to keep working on.

https://youtu.be/AlybJbk7A6k

jab, cross, slip, cross, jab, slip, drill
https://youtu.be/yqhSy0zvIwQ
Jab, cross, hook, slip drill

After Krav we worked for an hour on various Muay Thai techniques, including a catching a kick between your bicep and fore arm in a tight bite. You then lift the leg and push forward with so the person falls over. Also how to lean into the person and clench up, if they catch your leg.

Her is a video of me doing that to my husband.

https://youtu.be/Qv9lyi65l_0
catch a kick and drop opponent on the ground

Mixed striking class we worked for one hour and 50 minutes on boxing, cover and responding to a hit. My slips seem to be getting tighter. The movement is getting tighter. However, I am still going to the side a bit still. I need to do more of a forward head movement. Tight head movements where I get off the line are the key, so I am improving. Then we did asymmetrical sparring. Where one person does only jabs and crosses and your opponent does hooks and upper cuts. This forces us to figure out how to get into the opponents box, and get our hits in. Also allows us to know what kind of hit is coming and helps in training.

Here is a video of me working on what we learned in class. I normally cut the videos down, so that you only see one move/drill but this I left long so that you can see how we drill different drills. Again this was taken after I have been at it for over 3 hours and 20 minutes. I am tired, and have a lot to work on. What you are seeing is:
1) Parry an incoming jab, high cover, return jab at same time, cross, hook, jab.
2) High cover, cross, and high cover, jab.
3) Cover body shot, to opposite upper cut.
4) When you see us stop we are talking about what I am doing wrong, and how to fix it.

https://youtu.be/3pFJs5MlUgY

Linner (lunch-dinner) was had afterward, cause we were all pretty hungry, and now I am at home under my electric blanket typing this out. Its cold and I want to nap. =) Full hibernation is pulling at me.

Thanks for reading this far, have a great weekend. I am going to rest now. Leave a comment if you want.

Check out Grrrl clothing for workout clothes. If you use this link and end up buying something it gives me referrals.  https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Pants that pass the THICC girl booty test…squee!

My booty, but more importantly this pattern fabric is fantastic

Did you hear that all they way over there? That squee of delight when I just tried these pants on last night. I ordered these pants to try them out, and I did a 2.5 hours of training in Muay Thai and Kali. I got them on recommendation from my trainer/coach in Muay Thai. She uses them, and I thought, hey I will give it a try.

I am always on the look out for good workout tights. I work out about 5 to 6 days a week. So I need pairs of tights that will perform, not break down after two washes, have some compression (the ugly truth is I have loose skin from losing 70 lbs), are comfortable to wear and fit over my posterior, and bonus is they have awesome patterns and styles. However, as I have children and a family I could not just buy all the things I wanted. I decided to try one pair of pants.

I will give you all the pros and cons of these pants so far as I see them. I got the Dragon Skin Next Level Leggings.

Pros:

  • They don’t use the “standard” size numbering system, that was developed not taking into account different bodies of all different kinds of women. They use their own models names, and measurements. If you get your measurements and order by that, you will have a great fitting garment.
  • The stitching is strong and stands up to vigorous exercise. (Note: Thighs that rub together. )
  • The fabric feel fantastic its silky and thick, wicks sweat, and moves with your body as you do your exercise. It does not feel cheap.
  • It passed the panty test. (When standing you cannot see the panties through too shear fabric, also normal stretching and bending did not reveal any view of panties.) (I have had tights that you could read the writing on them through the pants just standing there.)
  • The pants stay up, no rolling or sliding down the body.
  • It passes the thicc booty test. (When you have a larger posterior, often times patterns will get distorted and look horrible if they are stretched over an area. It also draws attention those areas that are larger and you may not want to have attention drawn to. As you can see the stretch was perfect and did not distort the pattern. )
  • Last but not least they have fantastic customer service. (They noticed right after I ordered that they were out of the pants I ordered. I had not been to my computer so I did not see the email. In a mater of 24 hours customer service person Chloe had emailed me that they did not have my pants, and did I want to change it, or for the trouble cancel and get money toward a different order? Then in the next hour she emailed me once more that she found them in their Canadian store and was going to have the Canadian fulfillment center send them to me. Heidi was fantastic from the Canadian side as well. )

Cons:

  • For me really the only con so far is that pant leg is long on me. I am a short person. 5 foot, so everything is long on me. But really its not all that much of a con. I am going to try their capri’s next. You can see them bunched up around my ankles in the pictures.
  • Front view
  • Side view
  • Side view
  • View with Grrrl logo
  • Side view
  • Pattern in different less light

Now about packaging. Generally when I go to the store, I have been trying to use less disposable bags. So I did not think I would care about the packaging for this. However, I think they used just enough packaging to ensure that my garment got to me safely, but made the packaging meaningful. I love the little details. The purple-pink of the outer packaging, and the washing instructions on the outer brown paper bag packaging. Both are recyclable and they brought a smile to my face. The best surprise was the tag that the pants had. If you were giving this to a friend, you could address the garment to them.

” In today’s society we are programmed to see each other as competition. At Grrrl, we are changing the game. We exist to break the cycle of competition, and band together as sisters.

As our newest member for the #GRRRLARMY, your initiation consists of letting another Grrrl know something great about her, because chances are, she doesn’t see it in herself.

Flip this card over and fill in the blanks. Sometimes it’s easier to write it down and hand it over. “

Other side:

” Hey Grrrl-FRIEND! I wanted to tell you that

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

Don’t forget, you were born perfect. You go Grrrl!”

You can see in the pictures below if you want. There is not much more to say. I was not paid for this review. It is just how I feel about this product.

I did find on their website that I could become an ambassador for them, and they will give me credit. They gave me a link I could give you, and a 20% off coupon that you can use when you decide to order. Even if they did not have the ambassador program, I would still support this company. It is doing good things for us girls/women/ladies out there. We need to lift up and support each other.

Here is my Thinks with Spinks link for you to try, and below is the coupon code.

20% off coupon code nom1yq8d

As always thanks for reading, and let me know what you think.

  • Packaging
  • Washing instructions
  • Pants
  • This tag says it all
  • Other side of tag

Thursday Muay Thai and Kali…Elbows and Espada Y Daga

Me and my Coach

2 hours and 30 minute training tonight.

30 minute warm up of 200 kicks and 50 knees.

Some days are just mediocre. Here is what I mean. Some days are annoying I am struggling to get the new techniques or even my body to do the old techniques in the correct way. Then there are other days where it is fantastic, I am learning new things, I am buzzing along, and I am doing great while I still make mistakes I am jazzed and doing fantastic. Then the pendulum swings back and hits the middle, where I am doing the techniques I have learned already, and helping less experienced students develop their skills. Helping others is a different kind of satisfaction then beating my body into submission. I am getting some work in but nothing to write home about. Well today was one of those days.

We worked on elbows today in Muay Thai. We went through all 9 elbows. 1 = horizontal elbow, 2 = upward diagonal elbow, 3 = downward diagonal elbow, 4 = vertical up elbow, 5 = downward vertical elbow, 6 = side in elbow, 7 = side out elbow, 8 = tach malach (spelling is probably wrong) or spear elbow, and finally 9 = spinning elbow. We worked on the parry or scoop and entry with elbow. We also worked on scoop, elbow entry, and then followed up with spinning elbow. I have two videos of me doing some of those elbows.

https://youtu.be/IG_9Q1Jf5EI
Parry Jab to Elbow Entry
https://youtu.be/Evg2RENoj4s
Parry a Jab, Elbow Entry, to Spinning Elbow drill

In Kali we worked on Espada Y Daga. Which translates to sword and dagger. This was fun, and surprisingly easy. I say this even though I made plenty of mistakes and needed to work on my footing. I was able to figure out how to cut my opponent and get out of the drill as well. We then got to spar afterward. Where if we had actually used real weapons I would have died many times. However, I got many good strikes in and would have been able to win a few fights. One of my friends even laid me out on they floor. We say in a knife fight the winner bleeds and the looser gushes. So if you end up in a knife fight expect to get cut. Anyway enough of my babbling. Here is a video of me doing the drill.

https://youtu.be/pokT5A1RqAY
Espada Y Daga drill

If you made it this far, wow, I have rambled. But this is the reality of a fitness journey. Not every day is going to be sunshine and sparkles. Not every day is going to suck. Some days are going to be meh… but I have still shown up, and put my time in. These days are days when it may seem like I am not learning a lot, but it will all culminate in the end.

Thanks for reading… =) Keep up being awesome you.

Check out Grrrl clothing for workout clothes. If you use this link it gives me referrals. I have another post to talk about some tights I got from them. https://www.grrrl.com/ref/652/?campaign=Thinks.Spinks

Tuesday Muay Thai and Kali…Off Balances and Half Beats oh my!

I just completed 2 hours and 30 minute training.

1.5 hours of Muay Thai. For the first 30 minutes of my training, I did 200 kicks over a foam roller, and 100 knee number 3’s into a heavy bag. We then worked on basics again. It’s amazing even though I know these techniques I was having a hard time with them. It occurred to me when I was working on my jab, cross and then horizontal right elbow that maybe I am stiff cause of weight lifting yesterday. Or I just might be having an off day. We worked on entries after the jab, cross.

Then we worked on off ballances so that we could get range from opponent to get your knees in. We got to do the leg bump off ballance which is my favorite. I was asked to come up and demonstrate it to the class where normally I would hesitate and be embarrassed. But to my surprise as I sit here and think back on it, I jumped at the opportunity and to do the move on guy taller than me. I was able to execute it so fast and accurately that he almost fell over and my instructor was impressed. It’s a great off ballance for me cause I am short and shorter than everyone in our class. My instructor always says use what you have to your advantage. If you are tall use that if you are short use that. So I get in close and my opponents cannot see my hits coming if I am fast enough.

The mind bending Kali was also fun. We worked on off beats in Kali. Where we were performing standard six and adding a witik into it. I like the outside deflection witik and the lower back hand almost gunting type off beat. I messed up a lot, and you just have to keep going and pick up the beat again.

Shower and sleep is in order next.

Anyway here is a video of me doing it slowly cause I just learned it today and need to practice.

Again think you for reading and watching. Talk to me if you want. Let me know if you like anything, or want more information on anything I am doing.

https://youtu.be/ymfhMC7W6zg

A Small Bit of Hope for the future… my progress pictures

Having one of those days where I need reminding that I have made progress. Some days I feel old and achy, and feel like I am not making progress. I am wearing the same shirt/tank here. I can see a small amount of progress… but I have to remember I also had a back injury in between the 3/10/2018 and yesterdays picture. Every day I look in the mirror I don’t see the progress. I know a lot of people have body dysmorphia and I am not a special snow flake, but that is why I take the pictures. (note: I am un-diagnosed with Body Dysmorphia, however, based on the fact that I focus on the negative and do not see the progress its a red flag and easy leap to make that assessment.) So at moments like these I can go back and look. Maybe an see some progress/hope to see progress. The pictures are my small hope that in the future I will see something better.

Please know I am not crying out for positive feedback. I don’t ever want to put the burden of constantly holding me up on my community, friends, and family. However, this is how I cope with some of the negative feelings that crop up. I look at my pictures, try to find some positive things/changes, and then soldier on. I can not make changes if I just sit there in inaction. So no matter how bad I feel, I push through. I acknowledge I am feeling this way, talk to people I trust, and then push through.

I don’t know if this will help anyone. But like I said this is how I try to cope. One day I will look back and hopefully be surprised how far I have come. My little bit of hope I put out into the world. =)