Plans to the Championship

At the moment, in which I do more on academics compared to my boxing, I have decided to do a few things that will put me in shape, when I will ever fight. I am continuing a plan that started as a new-years resolution at the end of the year 2009. I promised myself, that I will have chiseled abs by the end of the year. It's been easier, to tell you honestly. I really have gotten a long way, compared to the time I started getting real healthy and active. Determination is what pushed me, in those times, and I would say, it is what makes me. The constant graphic vision of myself becoming a champion, someone who people would recognize and admire, makes me so much into my hard work. An impossible task driven by a fury of determination. In those times, starting it out on the exercise lifestyle is definitely too tough, that the memory of it still lingers in my mind. It's a miracle I did it, and I did more than my limits, somehow I never collapsed or in jeopardy of being in the hospital. The daily deadly workouts that is repetitive, and the diets that leave me famished, somewhat makes me a burst of energy in a zero source. So it definitely resulted into diminishing the fatty stores in my body. It made me so lean, my body fat percentage is 12% at the moment. It's been easier for me to train now, compared to the days where I'm constantly aching in pain on my first ever ab workout. My abs definitely have improved throughout the years. Crunches are easily achieved and I can even transcend. I remembered I did about 2000 crunches in one training, which is my record highest. I discipline myself, and did 2000, because I missed one workout session. Primarily, I train 1000 ab crunches, it sounds impossible to others, but for me, its natural. I live with such number. On the last year, the only problem I had was, the inability to recognize a workout essential for having great abs. I then realized this late, just on the beginning of 2010. It was lower ab area exercises. So I started with reverse crunches, which was VERY easy. I hate the idea of not giving much of a challenge in some things. I wanted to increase the intensity, and even placed a heavy pillow on the foot area. Still, it has no challenge for me. Thanks to it though, I got eight packs, after religiously working it. I then decided to do Double Crunches, which is a combination to train all eight abs. It suits me perfectly, I manage to get the lower aspect of the ab to increase in size, perhaps also due to my high protein intake and increased stimulation. The problem? The lower ab can't be seen clearly due to underlying fat, but you can definitely feel them. I then got back to cardio, running up the slopes of my residential area, which is where I get good work out running on inclined, without going to the mountain areas or paying a fortune on a gym. My plan was to lose five more pounds, expecting the fat on the lower aspect will be reduced to a minimum, just enough to expose the lower ab. Yes, I've reduced significantly, especially with implementing low calorie diet with eggs for protein, to maintain muscles but losing the fat at the same time. Good thing I researched once more in the internet, and found a couple of more significant information. One is the training of the Transversus abdominis and the Obliques. In my surprise, I learned the training I did which I discovered on my own, was actually implemented by others. Which was called vacuuming, a training for the Transversus. I started it even from the days I was way fat, at an overweight level on the BMI scale. I did it at that time to just simply reduce my stomach, which was protruding to some extent. I did this way back, since first year high school. No wonder, my Transversus is way more chiseled and evident than any other person I know. The Transversus helps compress the abdomen. So step one of the new training is suprisingly achieved, since I've been implementing it until now. The only other exercise that is new to me is the Kegels'. As a medical practitioner, I know it well. I just never thought it would be used for an ab workout. Another muscles that I will be start working on, is the Obliques. Same effect, it compresses the core. Perhaps, it would start reducing the free moving fats on the area by compressing it inside, or burning it permanently through the course of the training. Either way, it is a win-win situation. I'm going to start side crunches, and will aim for that fat less abdomen. When my body fat percentage gets to 7%, I would want to bring it on the beach by then. Plus, reducing the weight 5 pounds less will help maintain it. I suggest people to start training their cores as well, because its healthy, and attractive to most people.

Reflexes

In boxing, reflexes are an important aspect of a fighter, in order to dodge well and to punch an opponent on angles. This is also determined by age. Younger people can execute better reflexes compared to the old ones. That is why, age retires in boxing. You can see this idea in the Muhammad Ali vs Trevor Berbick fight. After the disappointing loss to Berbick, Ali was quoted in saying, "I can see the punches, but I could not avoid it. It was age." Reflexes can really turn from Gold to null through age. Not even the reflex-type Ali was able to do anything about it. Reflex to me, is both defense and offense, that is why, stretching is a very good idea after training. Stretching helps circulate blood flow, helps in increasing the size of muscles, and it can give you a very good reflex in the end. In my exercise, I definitely include stretching, for the health benefits, to do some warm-up, and because it actually feels good. The body gets stiff every now and then and results to poor blood circulation. Doesn't it feel better when you get a few crunch sounds from stretching you neck, twisting your hips, especially your hands and feet? It's part of the pleasures that I enjoy, although considering its simplicity. Everyone should try it. I do it a lot. Every night, I relax myself with some yoga. I definitely get a good sleep from it, and it takes a load amount of stress from my system. The results of continuously stretching would make you somewhat flexible. In the past, I had some rough parts that stretches in a limit. At present, I can extend, and overextend. In boxing, this is an asset that will help in terms of footwork, punching angles, defensive dodging, as well as keeps your body at its best condition. In another sense, there is another type of reflex that most boxers utilize. This is the trained reflex. It is a reflex that is activated by certain stimulus, which is trained purposely for defense and offense purposes. One trained reflex, is the counter punching. It is the instantaneous motion of punching at a more powerful type from the moment the stimulus is given. I love counter punching, it would probably be part of how good a boxer I am. Counter punching is good for ceasing an opponents attack, for making the opponent feel more cautious and awkward, and it is a point in Olympic amateur boxing. Another trained reflex, would be the defensive reflex. I am equipped with this sort of reflex, which will make you put your defense from the moment the stimulus will be given, such as a closing in of an opponent, the alternation in positioning of fists after punching, and the rocking chair motion of the upper body once on the defensive. As a person, I wanted to train myself purposely anytime, and anywhere. So I trained myself to be on philly shell defense whenever I get close to any person, like walking on a narrow pathway, and anywhere else. This will also secure myself just like a self defense and be able to be more effective in defense with just a reflex. One thing good about trained reflex is that, you won't be able to put much thought into things, and will let your body somehow, think on its own. A movement that will flow on its own from the moment a stimulus will be given. Now that's skill! Another ingredient for being a champion. I would name a few boxers who I look up to in terms of reflex such as, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, Muhammad Ali, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Roy "Captain Hook" Jones Junior. Reflex will always be a big deal, although it is underrated.

Picture: Floyd Mayweather doing some trained reflex on Oscar De la Hoya

Spirit Origin or Spirit Built?

The Unending Dream
by Urish Peter C. Jain

Me and you may be connected,
my life and yours have the same fate,
Legacies that we created,
Realizing the problems very late

Learning I started when you end,
Our spirit should be just the same,
Everything that we are, just blend,
What troubles me is your life's shame

A greatness but unrecognized,
Your sadness is then what I share,
Time has come to be recognized,
For we are the strength spirits heir

Goals are clear in the rising sun,
Knowing we succeed when we strife,
For you and me have become one,
Different eras for each life

Born in a dark environment,
You have then become influenced,
Your life will forever lament,
Difficult, even just be cleansed

Now our life is more than ever,
Eating our food in silver spoon,
We end up becoming clever,
Building our dreams in the cold moon

As I face the adversary,
Stay with me whenever I win,
As your life end in misery,
Let me end it when I begin

For when all would not understand,
Everything would then become clear,
When regaining it comes to hand,
I know our dreams will then be near

For our dream should be continued,
To change the fate that once has been,
To show the world that thought we could,
and get back more with a nice grin

Living life we are understood,
will end the cycle that we see,
of the mistake we thought we would,
will now end with what we can be

No matter how much I believed,
one idea will be for sure,
I will stay and not be deceived,
be clean as the holy is pure

Perhaps I am a connector,
connecting my abilities,
a champion is with character,
I look through possibilities