Sad.

Unfortunately, it is grading night tonight and I won't be going :(

It is very unlikely that I would last 2 full hours of this grueling process where we are tested to show our endurance and our skill after missing so much time training due to sickness and injuries. My cardio is shot.

All is not lost, just a minor seetback, next grading is in 3 months so I'll be okay. Just sad.

That's better.

Goals

One of lessons that has been taught to me by my Sensei's over the period of my training has been setting goals. Merely training to get to the next belt level is not enough, you need to have reasons as to why you do this. Currently I have set myself some goals. Here are a few of them:

- Become a black belt within the next 2 - 3 years.
- Enter a martial arts tornument and win within a year.
- Lose appox 15 Kilos (need to get to 95kgs)
- Get track of all my finances and not over spend.

These are not all my goals and I do not limit myself to goals just related to my training. I have goals that relate to relationships, work and fun. Write them down also gives  them more significance and helps you work towards them.

Does anyone else set goals? If so what?

p.s. long weekend in Australia so been away and not posting, sorry.

Free Time

Well it looks like I've got some non-self imposed free time over the next couple of weeks, here is a list of training and other things I'd like to get done.

- Practice my Kata - been missing too many classes and need to perfect it.
- Have a few sparring sessions with a mate I train with.
- Go for a few runs.
- Get into to lifting weights - need to add some muscle to my frame. Will also help with losing weight
- Play some Portal 2, bought it ages ago but still haven't had a chance to play it.

Oh well, should be fun, thoughts?

Back to training...Finally!!!

Well Saturday was my first day back at training in a while. Had a physio appointment on the Friday and he says I have damaged the ligament that runs between my heel and the ball of my foot (please google the name, it was awfully long)...on both feet. Also he said 'you have the wrists of an 80 year old'. I really hope he got that line off the Simpsons.

Regardless, not feeling sick and not having attended in quite some time, I attended the Saturday revision class. Took it pretty easy. Did some Kata. Feel good to be back.

Also congrats to Clay Guida at the TUF fight card. Impressive performance from the carpenter, should be pretty close to a title shot.

What are your thoughts on the card?

Update!

Haven't had a personal update in a little while. Haven't been able to train in while due to:

1. Had exams.
2. Was sick and still am.
3. Been picking up injuries somehow, the latest one is my foot which prevents me from walking and makes me look like that weird hump guy from 300 when I move around...

Still, trying to make some progress on the gut front. Down from 110 to 108.5 Kilos this morning (started at 115 for those interested). Some things I have been doing include drinking alot of water and green tea between meals to curb my hunger as well as reducing the amount of food I have been eating during meals.

Anyone else have any tips?

UFC 130

Would have made a post over the Weekend about UFC 130 but once again I was quite ill and had to watch the bloody thing on my laptop rather than go down to the pub (bar for our American friends) with a few mates. Regardless here is my breakdown of the main card fights:

Rampage Vs Hamill:
To be honest my internet had a hissy fit before the fight so I missed almost all of it. From what was actually seen and from some of the highlights it went down exactly as I would expect. Hamill shot for takedowns, Rampage stuff them. End of story. Like Rampage said after the fight, did you not know he was also a wrestler Hamill? Not one takedown. Hamill did try some effective leg kicks (see Griffin Vs Rampage as to why they work) but did not keep it up.

Next up for Hamill: Someone at his own skill level...maybe even a drop to middle weight...he looked small compared to Rampage and dropping weight is all the rage these days
Next up for Rampage: Title shot? Maybe, Rampage Vs Jones is more marketable than Rashad. Have to see when Jones wants to come back.

Mir Vs Nelson:
If you haven't noticed I have got a bit of a man crush on Big Country but the People's Champ (as described by Goldie) looked terrible. I'm not a big Mir fan but he dominated Nelson for a big decsion win. Nelson looked good in the first few minutes pressing against Mir trying to push his cardio but it was to no avail. Oh well...

Next for Nelson: He has had two top contenders in a row and lost. Probably looking at the loser of Kongo Vs Barry or Mittrone Vs Morecraft, maybe even Russow in a battle of the bellies.
Next for Mir: Winner of Nog Vs Schaub, title shot implications there...

Struve Vs Browne:
Browne does not need to leap over the tallest skyscrapers, he just superman punches his way through them. I had Struve in this one but it looks like if you get in close with Struve his long limbs are no good to him.

Next for Brown: Winner of Barry Vs Kongo
Next for Struve: Talk about him Vs Cro Cop...sweet.

Jorge Santiago Vs Brian Stann:
Didn't see this one working like this. Like all fightes coming from Japan, Jorge struggled and got punished by a sharp looking Stann. It will take some time getting used to cage, but Jorge will be back.

Next for Stann: Hopefully the winner Wandy Vs Leben or another up and comer. Maybe Botesch, who looked good.
Next for Santiago: A gatekeeper, Dollaway or Grove.

Rick Story Vs Tiago Alves:
Big win for story against a legit contender. Alves looked good in the last round but you need to win two rounds to win. Perfect example of imposing your gameplan on your opponent.

Next for Story: Winner of Condit Vs Stun Gun or maybe Ellenberger...one of these guys will be marketed as the next big thing to challenge GSP.

So your thoughts...?

Future plans

Thanks for the massive support!!! I've been pretty ill lately and haven't made it to training in awhile... :(

Many comments were made regarding the belly and in particular it's hairyness (yeah, it's not a word...). I think if we reach 500 followers I'll end up waxing it for shits and giggles and post pictures for your enjoyment. Maybe I'll wax it like this...

 Thoughts?