Boxing/MMA getting healthy/changing my life

[Ele'ill]

So this is a big forum and I'm hoping to get a bit of feedback from those who have trained at a fairly high level of competition and not just as a weekend thing to get in shape although I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone. I've trained in both western boxing and muay thai in the past pretty consistently at the time but it has been a long while. The first time I was in excellent shape the second time around I was in ok shape and got into excellent shape. Both times I was encouraged by people at the gyms to continue through a pipeline towards their active fight teams and training because I guess they saw a bit of promise in what I had to offer.

Now I am in bad cardiovascular shape having been smoking a lot, I don't really care about diet although I'm still fairly lean and the only thing keeping me in kind of above average strength conditioning shape is my job. I'm getting older and everything hurts longer and I get the weird aches and stuff that I never got before. I'm seriously considering taking up boxing with the goal of competing. In a short amount of time I am no longer going to be paying rent *wink* and I'll have the money to afford the time in the gym. They have showers and lockers which is another huge plus. I think I get into shape better when I have something else to do while doing it which is what sports do. You're not really thinking about how much of a workout you're getting until you start the morning jogs and more intense side workouts. I know my advice to myself here would be 'no it's never too late' but I have this nagging depression that's like 'nah it's too late you're too old and your health sucks' or 'lol you're not gonna be in any type of competition' for the same reasons. I'm pretty sure I just want a place to focus and the only way I'm gonna know if I can do it is to do it.

[RedSonRising]

It's NEVER too late my friend. It's mere logic; if you put in the work, give it your all, and stay committed, you will excel. Eventually, you'll have sweat enough drops, thrown enough punches, and ran enough miles to be where you want to be. As long as you maintain your passion for what you're trying to accomplish, you'll start feeling the progress and become hungry for more. Forget about how old you are, that's academic. What matters is how much attention you pay to your training. Quit the cigarettes completely, join a gym, hook up with a trainer, show up to class, and if you like boxing half as much as I do, you'll start wanting to improve as soon as you lace them up again and hit a bag. Good luck!

[ВАЛТЕР]

I've seen 40 year-old men come to the gym and train intensely as a 20 year old. It isn't too late. I would suggest you quit smoking and before you start going to the gym do some running just to get your cardio back up. Go to the gym and tell your trainer exactly what you have in mind. Make sure you tell him you are considering competing that way he will put more time in with you. If you really want to get back to competing then you're going to really need to keep a strict training regiment and pull yourself together health-wise. Stop smoking and cut down on the drinking.

Well, I'm off to my daily run. Later.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

Up to you if you wanna put yourself through the pain. Boxing'll probably be pretty painful (i'm sure you're aware of this) if you compete - all those aches will probably multiply with all the hits you're gonna take (or not take!).

Have you considered a martial art instead? Like judo? You can compete pretty easily, go up the belts and get into good shape without punishing your ageing body bro.

Just my thoughts. Preservation is key. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do: go hard or go home!

[pastradamus]

So this is a big forum and I'm hoping to get a bit of feedback from those who have trained at a fairly high level of competition and not just as a weekend thing to get in shape although I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone. I've trained in both western boxing and muay thai in the past pretty consistently at the time but it has been a long while. The first time I was in excellent shape the second time around I was in ok shape and got into excellent shape. Both times I was encouraged by people at the gyms to continue through a pipeline towards their active fight teams and training because I guess they saw a bit of promise in what I had to offer.

Now I am in bad cardiovascular shape having been smoking a lot, I don't really care about diet although I'm still fairly lean and the only thing keeping me in kind of above average strength conditioning shape is my job. I'm getting older and everything hurts longer and I get the weird aches and stuff that I never got before. I'm seriously considering taking up boxing with the goal of competing. In a short amount of time I am no longer going to be paying rent *wink* and I'll have the money to afford the time in the gym. They have showers and lockers which is another huge plus. I think I get into shape better when I have something else to do while doing it which is what sports do. You're not really thinking about how much of a workout you're getting until you start the morning jogs and more intense side workouts. I know my advice to myself here would be 'no it's never too late' but I have this nagging depression that's like 'nah it's too late you're too old and your health sucks' or 'lol you're not gonna be in any type of competition' for the same reasons. I'm pretty sure I just want a place to focus and the only way I'm gonna know if I can do it is to do it.


Well im 26 (27 in Oct) and i've been asked to go back and fight. Dont think about anything, just go do it. You are experianced in the best form of martial arts in the world (IMHO anyway because I also did boxing & Muay thai). So dont think about going back just do it. Fitness is only a discussion with your body. If you wish to gain back fitness then it can be done. I went into running a few months ago having been outta boxing a long time, now im back into both. The technique never leaves you so you'll be grand once your back into the swing of things. Never resign yourself to doing nothing you have a responsibility to take care of yourself and if boxing is how you wish to do it then well done comrade! :)

[pastradamus]

Up to you if you wanna put yourself through the pain. Boxing'll probably be pretty painful (i'm sure you're aware of this) if you compete - all those aches will probably multiply with all the hits you're gonna take (or not take!).


I wouldnt be inclined to agree. I went back a number of months ago and felt as good as I always did. I think its all about being fit really. As long as your fit you'll be fine IMO. Its not like you're 100yrs old or anything.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

I wouldnt be inclined to agree. I went back a number of months ago and felt as good as I always did. I think its all about being fit really. As long as your fit you'll be fine IMO. Its not like you're 100yrs old or anything.

You're 26. I got it from Mariel's post (though I may be wrong) that he was 'older'.

Of course, as I go further into my twenties, I start to consider all fellow twentysomethings as young, to make myself feel a bit younger. :lol:

I'm probably just a bit biased 'cos I don't fancy boxing all that much, more of a martial arts/wrestlin' man myself. And unnecessary apostrophe usage.

[Art Vandelay]

While I am not attempting anything along the lines of what Mari3l is talking about, I have been attempting to get back into shape. I'm skinny and everything, but my cardio is really bad. I'm not looking to lose weight or get back into competitive shape, just want to stay healthy as I turn 20 since my teenage years have been a bit excessive. I notice everyone talking about quitting smoking and drinking.
How much would the occasional cigar hurt (I'm talking about once every two weeks) and does drinking really affect it that much? I'm a pretty heavy drinker and don't really want to stop.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

I wonder the above^^ I smoke dope on average anywhere from basically stopping for a couple of months, up to a couple of times a week, probably averaging out through the year at like once every couple of weeks or so. How damaging is this? It's difficult to find good truthful answers out there.

[RedSonRising]

While I am not attempting anything along the lines of what Mari3l is talking about, I have been attempting to get back into shape. I'm skinny and everything, but my cardio is really bad. I'm not looking to lose weight or get back into competitive shape, just want to stay healthy as I turn 20 since my teenage years have been a bit excessive. I notice everyone talking about quitting smoking and drinking.
How much would the occasional cigar hurt (I'm talking about once every two weeks) and does drinking really affect it that much? I'm a pretty heavy drinker and don't really want to stop.

When I first got into cigar smoking, I read a study that suggested no evidence for an increase in likelihood of cancer by smoking one a day (assuming you don't inhale). I smoke much less than that, but the point is, the correlation is weak to nonexistent, so occasional use should be fine for your long-term health. In terms of drinking, having one drink a day is said to have certain health benefits, even beer. Binge drinking is never recommended, it's all around bad for you, but I never really do that anymore anyway, unless I go out with friends on a semi-special occasion. If I drink when hanging out with people I pace myself and enjoy my beer, and don't drink much otherwise. Moderation is key, as they say. But if you smoke cigarettes quit that shit right now and don't look back. I would start running if you want to get into some sort of shape, it helps your cardiovascular system out immensely and what's more important than that?

[Art Vandelay]

When I first got into cigar smoking, I read a study that suggested no evidence for an increase in likelihood of cancer by smoking one a day (assuming you don't inhale). I smoke much less than that, but the point is, the correlation is weak to nonexistent, so occasional use should be fine for your long-term health. In terms of drinking, having one drink a day is said to have certain health benefits, even beer. Binge drinking is never recommended, it's all around bad for you, but I never really do that anymore anyway, unless I go out with friends on a semi-special occasion. If I drink when hanging out with people I pace myself and enjoy my beer, and don't drink much otherwise. Moderation is key, as they say. But if you smoke cigarettes quit that shit right now and don't look back. I would start running if you want to get into some sort of shape, it helps your cardiovascular system out immensely and what's more important than that?

I have been going running in the mornings and eventually I want to add some light weightlifting into the mix. I don't smoke cigarettes but usually once every 2 months or so I cave and buy a back of cigarillos (about the same as cigs). I don't know if I constitute a binge drinker per sey, but I'm probably would be classified as a functioning alcoholic. About 3-4 stiff scothes per night, or else around 8 beers.

Edit: That is just for weekdays thought, which are the days I plan on working out. I can get up in the mornings for a run after only a few drinks the night before. But I drink alot of weekends. I don't really plan on stopping drinking either, so I guess what I want to know is if there is even a chance of staying in relatively good shape with that drinking routine?

[Ele'ill]

You're 26. I got it from Mariel's post (though I may be wrong) that he was 'older'.

Of course, as I go further into my twenties, I start to consider all fellow twentysomethings as young, to make myself feel a bit younger. :lol:

I'm probably just a bit biased 'cos I don't fancy boxing all that much, more of a martial arts/wrestlin' man myself. And unnecessary apostrophe usage.

I'm in my late 20's. I dabbled in BJJ but never did wrestling. I definitely agree with Pastradamus that Muay Thai (and BJJ) are the top two. I started seriously considering all this after watching some videos. The first videos were documentaries about the bare knuckle boxing tradition among travelers in Ireland and while I resent a lot of the patriarchal and dominating aspects of that culture that were apparent in the several docs I watched I really admire their toughness to not submit and give up, it just isn't allowed and they take some serious punishment and some of them have really fast hands. I watched some interviews with Nick Diaz (MMA) and his training and how he's honest about how everything in the world sucks but he still does it cause he can cause it's the only thing he can do and I kind of feel like this is something I can do where I'm learning and getting healthy at the same time. It has a lot more utility than simply lifting weights in the gym. And yes I know it'll be painful in tons of surprising ways. I remember training at a Muay Thai gym and I thought the bruises from these workouts were so tiresome and annoying until the one day for some reason while I was doing bag work a big piece of skin/callous tore off the bottom of my back foot while pivoting and gave me something new to complain about. I've had my nose broken twice, both eyebrow areas split open and I'm missing teeth. Also thanks for the replies in this thread.

[RedSonRising]

I have been going running in the mornings and eventually I want to add some light weightlifting into the mix. I don't smoke cigarettes but usually once every 2 months or so I cave and buy a back of cigarillos (about the same as cigs). I don't know if I constitute a binge drinker per sey, but I'm probably would be classified as a functioning alcoholic. About 3-4 stiff scothes per night, or else around 8 beers.

Edit: That is just for weekdays thought, which are the days I plan on working out. I can get up in the mornings for a run after only a few drinks the night before. But I drink alot of weekends. I don't really plan on stopping drinking either, so I guess what I want to know is if there is even a chance of staying in relatively good shape with that drinking routine?

Not with that drinking routine, sorry my friend. You've got to tone down your daily intake by quite a bit if you plan on being healthier. I like that you're running, the cigarillos aren't the worst thing but I'm sure you'd find it easier running without them. I don't think you're trying to get into top athletic shape, so if you want to drink on the weekends and a little something on the weekdays that's fine, but at this point it's either or at the scale your talking. Your liver,heart, muscles, and circulatory system simply won't function as well.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

I'm in my late 20's. I dabbled in BJJ but never did wrestling. I definitely agree with Pastradamus that Muay Thai (and BJJ) are the top two. I started seriously considering all this after watching some videos. The first videos were documentaries about the bare knuckle boxing tradition among travelers in Ireland and while I resent a lot of the patriarchal and dominating aspects of that culture that were apparent in the several docs I watched I really admire their toughness to not submit and give up, it just isn't allowed and they take some serious punishment and some of them have really fast hands. I watched some interviews with Nick Diaz (MMA) and his training and how he's honest about how everything in the world sucks but he still does it cause he can cause it's the only thing he can do and I kind of feel like this is something I can do where I'm learning and getting healthy at the same time. It has a lot more utility than simply lifting weights in the gym. And yes I know it'll be painful in tons of surprising ways. I remember training at a Muay Thai gym and I thought the bruises from these workouts were so tiresome and annoying until the one day for some reason while I was doing bag work a big piece of skin/callous tore off the bottom of my back foot while pivoting and gave me something new to complain about. I've had my nose broken twice, both eyebrow areas split open and I'm missing teeth. Also thanks for the replies in this thread.

Ah well if you're late 20s then you should go for it. You're right about the utility of MMA over merely lifting weights, that's why I am set on starting up Judo again in a few weeks.

Kinda getting interested in that 'body is a temple' stuff.

Meditated the other day too. Pretty cool stuff.

[Ele'ill]

Ah well if you're late 20s then you should go for it. You're right about the utility of MMA over merely lifting weights, that's why I am set on starting up Judo again in a few weeks.

Kinda getting interested in that 'body is a temple' stuff.

Meditated the other day too. Pretty cool stuff.

The body is a temple mindset is just that another mindset and I'm more into 'my mind drives my body forward'. In the peak of drinking and smoking I could still after not training for a long time force myself to run five miles every other morning but my personal struggle of the mind over body was depression which I'm not sure I have much control over. The drive would stop. I even get depressed and stop drinking and smoking for weeks at a time. It's weird. As I said though I don't think this is just a gym or just running, I enjoyed both but was never really addicted to either but the movements of boxing/muay thai and feeling yourself move in a stance and focusing and the feel of throwing combinations during endurance work on the heavy bag is totally addicting for me.

[midas1123]

They said that MMA fighters/Boxers are the toughest athletes since they punch and kick a lot, at the same time, getting punched and kicked too.

I always favor sports as a good exercise since you don't get bored at all. Not like in any other gym out there. erectile dysfunction info (https://www.rx247.net/blog/new-erectile-dysfunction-medication/)

[Art Vandelay]

Not with that drinking routine, sorry my friend. You've got to tone down your daily intake by quite a bit if you plan on being healthier. I like that you're running, the cigarillos aren't the worst thing but I'm sure you'd find it easier running without them. I don't think you're trying to get into top athletic shape, so if you want to drink on the weekends and a little something on the weekdays that's fine, but at this point it's either or at the scale your talking. Your liver,heart, muscles, and circulatory system simply won't function as well.

So if I managed to cut back the drinking to weekends, cut out the cigarillos (but keep the occasional cigar) we might be in business? I think that's do able but it'll be tough.

What would a good weekday workout routine be for someone just looking to stay healthy? I was thinking a mixture of a run and some light weightlifting in the mornings.

[RedSonRising]

So if I managed to cut back the drinking to weekends, cut out the cigarillos (but keep the occasional cigar) we might be in business? I think that's do able but it'll be tough.

What would a good weekday workout routine be for someone just looking to stay healthy? I was thinking a mixture of a run and some light weightlifting in the mornings.

Yes, in such a case we might be in business! Maybe even upping Cigar usage to take your mind off the cigarillos could help without impairing your lungs. You can do it though; as soon as you start feeling progress, you'll be scared to ruin it with a shot or smoke you don't really need.

I'm not big on weights, but they are beneficial overall. Running 5 times a week is good. Alternating between jogs and sprints are really good for improving your cardiovascular system and general stamina. As a boxer I always lean towards plyometric exercises, so pushups, situps, russian twists, lunges, squats, front & lateral raises with small weights, medicine ball slams, etc. are all full body workouts I like to combine. They increase your flexibility, stamina, and endurance while increasing your strength explosively (as opposed to raw lifting power), but that last part is sports-specific and may not apply to what you want to accomplish.

I would make A and B days, maybe even C days. So maybe jogging, then lunges, small weights, and abs, then on the next day sprints, push ups, medicine ball slams, etc. Just some ideas. If you like heavy lifting, just make sure to target all your major muscle groups. See what you like.

I would also like to add that following and commenting in my sticky'd boxing discussion thread automatically adds 10 years to your life, for anyone looking to get healthier.

[wandnancy91]

I think you might have to stop thinking about competing again. I'm not saying that you must give in to the body pains but those pains are indications that you have to focus on your health first. Use MMA training as the best way bring back good health and have a healthy lifestyle. We can just slow down our aging but we can't turn it to go backwards.

[RedSonRising]

Bump...

Any progress Mari3l?


So if I managed to cut back the drinking to weekends, cut out the cigarillos (but keep the occasional cigar) we might be in business? I think that's do able but it'll be tough.

What would a good weekday workout routine be for someone just looking to stay healthy? I was thinking a mixture of a run and some light weightlifting in the mornings.

And what about yourself? The routine I laid out wasn't half bad, any steps towards getting healthy?

After New Years I'm dedicating myself and joining a gym again. Can't wait to hit a bag.