Forgotten's MMA Training Log

[Forgotten18]

Just started doing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu this week. I'll beginning including details of in the log tomorrow. I'll try as best as I can to post at least every day I train. I have no specific goals yet as this point, seeing as how I just started.


==GENERAL GOALS==
Become as knowledgeable on MMA/MT/BJJ as possible.
Reach peak conditioning with my body.
Put every effort of my being into training.
Become the best Fighter/Martial Artist that I can.

==STATS==
23 years old
6' 1"
171 lbs.

==TRAINING==
Approx. 5-6 Days (5 Evening Classes, 1 at approx. Noon)a Week of beginner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training
2 Days a Week beginner of Muay Thai Training
Approx. 3-5 days of weight training a week (Need to adjust now to find a different program)
Looking to pickup a few conditioning workouts to do on the side a few times a week

==DIET==
I'm following a fairly strict Paleo/Primal diet. Thus meaning no or very low carb and "natural foods". None of this highly processed or refined or chemically ridden garbage that 99% of people eat. I consume a vast amount of meat/teggs, rarely have dairy, and eat a controled, limited, consumption of "paleo" nuts (especially) and vegetables. I may up my vegetable consumption as my training goes on to go a few more carbs for energy. This diet has worked awesome for me in terms of bodyfat loss and energy. I'll post my food log on here, but it can also be viewed here: http://fitday.com/fitness/PublicJournals.html?Owner=Forgotten18



Thanks for reading. Any comments/tips throughout my training would be appreciated.

[Forgotten18]

I forgot to mention, in case anyone was wondering, I'm training at Ultimate MMA Training Center in North Haven, CT

http://ultimatemmact.com/

[Forgotten18]

Day off from work today, so resting up. My legs muscles are a little sore, and thigh is a little tender from taking kicks during Muay Thai. I've got Jiu Jitsu tonight @ 6.

[Forgotten18]

Had an hour of BJJ training last night. We learned a few takedowns with follow-thrus. Did some rolling for awhile at the end of class, didn't do too too bad (didn't do too too well either though). I need to remember to either keep both arms in when I'm in someone's guard, or both arms out. I kept getting armbars attempting on me because I was taking of my arms out n an attempt to break my opponent's guard. I've got MT and BJJ on Tuesday evening next. Gonna take it easy for the holiday weekend and recover as I'm pretty sore. Maybe do some lifting tomorrow. I need to find a good MMA style lifting workout (fullbody?) that won't burn me out.

[daYDreAmErX]

Good luck with the training :)

[Forgotten18]

Good luck with the training :)

Thanks a lot...Checking out your Conditioning Log right now :)

[Forgotten18]

Was sick Friday night and yesterday so I've been taking it easy trying to get some rest before I get back into things for the week on Tuesday. I'm recovering from some kind of respiratory cold - I have swollen glands on my neck, tiredness, insomnia, headache/neck ache, hacking cough, etc. Yesterday I also discovered red "dots" on my chest; some kind of rash possibly(?). It didn't seem too serious, just strange. I do wear a shirt under my gi, so I know it's probably nothing from rolling on the mat. Hopefully, I'll be back to 100% by tomorrow.

[Forgotten18]

Working in the AM today. I think I'm almost fully recovered from whatever illness I had, just a little bit of a cough left. My weight seems to have gone up to 174 today, not sure what that is about, maybe I'm finally hydrated considering the amount of sweat/fluid I lose during Muay Thai and BJJ. I still would like to lose about 10 lbs. this summer and get pretty cut-up. Hopefully, this MMA training can help me do that and vice versa.

[Forgotten18]

Did a short weight lifting session yesterday, followed by Muay Thai and BJJ training. I'm going to try and squeeze in approx. 4 weight lifting sessions a week.

Unlike many others training for MMA, I want to gain a good amount more mass. My main goal right now as far as bodybuilding is concerned is to sculpt the chest, as it is by far my "weakest" and under-developed looking body part. Secondary goals are widening the back and enlarging the shoulders.

I'm working on creating a few workout layouts/designs that I can do that will not cause me to become burned out with doing MT and BJJ 5-6 days a week, while still helping my goal of increasing lean muscle gains.

I have come to the realization to that I need to clean up my diet even more. I need to stay away from nuts and eat them very infrequently, especially peanuts (technically legumes a.k.a. beans). Hellman's/Store bought Mayo also seems to affect me negatively in regards to weight, so I'm going to try and stay away from that as well.

A few realizations after yesterday's training: I need to punch/kick A LOT HARDER during Muay Thai, especially punching. I also need to aim for my opponent's face rather than their glove. And as always remember, remember, remember, to keep my hands up and protecting my face at all times.

At the end of BJJ we did a "King of the Mountain" drill, which basically, if you pass the person's guard you become the "King of the Mountain" and so on. I did pretty bad at this. I suck at passing people's guards and kept easily and quickly being flipped over while trying to pass. I kept trying to stand up to break guard (which almost worked a few times) or to "twist" out, which would result in my weight being off-balance and them flipping me and taking control on top.

Need to just keep training/practicing I suppose.

[vikesfankevin]

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. You must have pretty good endurance and recovery already. Good luck.

[Forgotten18]

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. You must have pretty good endurance and recovery already. Good luck.

Thanks man.

[Forgotten18]

So, last night did BJJ class. Went pretty well. I think I'm slowly becoming more conditioned, as I noticed I wasn't as out of breath/tired as last week. I just need to remember to keep myself hydrated, as I drink a ridiculous amount of coffee throughout the day. At the end of the class we did the "King of the Mountain" drill again. I did better than the night before, I actually passed someone's guard one time. Another time I almost got a choke on my opponent from the turtle position (not sure what the names of all the chokes are yet). While I was "King of the Mountain" this guy tried to pass my guard and dug his elbows into my inner thighs which was brutal. Definitely a good move, as it destroyed any resistance I had, only bad thing now is that my leg is killing me. I guess I need to make sure to hold my opponents arms better when they're in my guard so something like that doesn't happen again.

I did a "short" weight training workout after class, I'll post it up later.

Tonight is MT and BJJ. I may do some sort of cardio/conditioning training before/after class if I feel up to it. I'm going to try and avoid weight lifting on days where I have both classes (Tuesday and Thursday)

[Ecnewyx]

So, last night did BJJ class. Went pretty well. I think I'm slowly becoming more conditioned, as I noticed I wasn't as out of breath/tired as last week. I just need to remember to keep myself hydrated, as I drink a ridiculous amount of coffee throughout the day. At the end of the class we did the "King of the Mountain" drill again. I did better than the night before, I actually passed someone's guard one time. Another time I almost got a choke on my opponent from the turtle position (not sure what the names of all the chokes are yet). While I was "King of the Mountain" this guy tried to pass my guard and dug his elbows into my inner thighs which was brutal. Definitely a good move, as it destroyed any resistance I had, only bad thing now is that my leg is killing me. I guess I need to make sure to hold my opponents arms better when they're in my guard so something like that doesn't happen again.

I did a "short" weight training workout after class, I'll post it up later.

Tonight is MT and BJJ. I may do some sort of cardio/conditioning training before/after class if I feel up to it. I'm going to try and avoid weight lifting on days where I have both classes (Tuesday and Thursday)

Eh, I hate when that happens.

Yes, I acknowledge that it is a completely legitimate way of breaking someone's closed guard and I would accept it in a tournament. But when just training, I don't dig/grind my elbows to pass, at most I would keep my elbows in to brace. I've only ever had one person try it to the extent of being painful enough for me to break, but this was a spazzy white belt who was never seen again.

[Forgotten18]

Did MT and BJJ classes yesterday. My Muay Thai is very slooowly coming along. My form is getting a little bit better. Any prgoress is good progress, so I shouldn't complain. My shoulder is a little sore today, not sure if it's from punching or working out the other day. I'm thinking of getting some kind of recovery supplement. I took my Green Bulge out last night, which I haven't had in nearly a year (stopped lifting way back when) and it didn't look too good, so I just tossed it.

BJJ was decent, I'm definitely becoming more conditioned. We did some rolling at the end of the class. The last guy I rolled with I made tap 4 times; three times to an arm bar and once to a rear naked choke. (Not that I ever learned a rear naked choke, but if it wasn't right, it was close...he tapped at least). The thing was as soon as I laid back with the arm bar he'd tap before I even applied pressure. It kinda sucked because I know my form on it was kinda sloppy, and I would have rather had him escape so I could learn how to make it better. At least I won a few times for once when rolling.

Got another BJJ class tonight, and if I feel up to it Saturday morning as well.

[Forgotten18]

Last night went to a BJJ class. We continued to go over the "clock" choke. I was kinda tired yesterday and my shoulder was bothering me so I didn't spar/roll. I was planning on going today at noon for a strictly sparring session, however my car had to go in to get repaired, so that idea is now nixed.

Planning on getting some conditioning/exercise in Sunday in the form of hiking if the weather permits.

[Forgotten18]

Got this link in my email, and thought I'd post it in my log as a reminder to myself.

http://beginningbjj.com/lesson-BJJ-Guard-Posture-Mistakes.html

[Forgotten18]

Thought I'd post the weight-lifting workout routine I created. Most like going to lift 3-4 times a week. Thoughts/Comments/Suggestions are appreciated. I'd try to make the workouts a) short duration in time and b) have a short recovery rate. I need to add one more exercise for legs for Workout 3 I think within a few weeks, lately just doing jump squats, etc. in Muay Thai has killed my legs to the point where they are extremely sore. The non-lifting days of the week I plan to do some form of cardio/conditioning/leisure activity albeit it be walking, running, CrossFit, walking the dog, or hiking.

WORKOUT 1 (Monday)
Back = Pullups ? 3 Sets to failure
Rows ? 4 x 6-10
Deadlifts = 4 x 6-10
Biceps = BB Curl/Preacher Curl ? 4 x 6-10
Hammer Curls ? 3 x 6-10

WORKOUT 2 (Wednesday, Possibly Saturday)
Chest = Incline Press/Decline Press/Flat Press ? 4 x 6-10
Incline Flys ? 4 x 6-10
Triceps = CGBP/Skullcrushers - 4 x 6-10
Calves = Raises - 4 x 6-10


WORKOUT 3 (Friday)
Shoulders = Military Press/Front Raises - 4 x 6-10
Lateral raises/side bent over rear delt raises - 4 x 6-10
Traps = Shrugs - 4 x 6-10
Legs = Leg Curls ? 4 x 6-10

[Forgotten18]

Ignore the "?" marks, not sure why they appeared in the above post.

[Forgotten18]

Did a Jiu-Jitsu class last night. We did the "King of the Mountain" drill again. I definitely was having an off day, I was getting my ass handed to me very quickly. I was reading some BJJ tips the other day (link is a few posts above) that said not to place your hands on the floor, and I was making a conscious effort to do just that. Not sure if this is what was throwing me off my game or what. No excuses though, just lessons learned.

Did "Work Out # 3" from what I posted the other day, my shoulder was still bothering me a little so I did upright rows for front delts instead of military presses.

My eating has been crazy lately, I'm seem to be constanly hungry and me weight seems to keep going up. I'm not at around 175, I don't feel/look like I'm gaining bodyfat according to people, however, I would like to def. nip this thing right now before it comes to that point. Not sure why I've been so constantly hungry taking in a good 500-1000 calories more than usual, I don't think the BJJ is THAT intense, I don't know tho.

[Ecnewyx]

Careful with your joints, especially if you're lifting heavy and rolling. I messed up my elbow & medial nerve because I was stupidly doing 2-a-days on back/pulls while also rolling, etc.

Haven't been 100% with regards to my grip in months now.

[Forgotten18]

Had BJJ and MT training on Tuesday; nothing really noteable to mention. I'm slowly coming along with my Muay Thai, as my left arm punching is pretty bad, but improving none-the-less.
Did "okay" in Jiu-Jitsu, a little bit better than Monday, though not as good as I was doing last week.

Yesterday was just BJJ training. The class went really.well as we had a fill-in instructor, learned a few new moves of what to do when you get your opponent in an almost triangle, but are unable to hit the triangle. Rolling was better than Monday and Tuesday, slowly getting back into the groove of things.

I need to get a mouth piece/guard for Jiu Jitsu, as I got needed in the chin and practically chipped a tooth. I'm not sure how a mouth guard will affect me as I breathe heavy out of mouth usually. I also need to pickup some compression shorts and a cup for Muay Thai. Thinking about getting fighting shorts for MT as well, although I've only been training for a little less than 3 weeks now. Any suggestions for gear, let me know.

Also, If anyone can recommend any real good BJJ or MT reading material (books), that I can purchase from Amazon.com or someplace, let me know.Thanks.

[Forgotten18]

Had Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu last night. Both are coming along slowly. I did a little better rolling last night than I did previously in the week. One thing is for certain, I'll be damned if I can figure out how to do a cross-choke with the GI. I always seem to get my hands in the right place and start to choke, but my opponent doesn't end up tapping. Bad leverage maybe, as usually I'm mounted when I get them in it. Need to figure out why it's not working correctly, I always easily get my hands in position and crossed, but the choke isn't working too well. If I can figure out how to correct this, I'll be nailing it very easily while rolling. Anybody have any tips/ideas on it?

[Ecnewyx]

Had Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu last night. Both are coming along slowly. I did a little better rolling last night than I did previously in the week. One thing is for certain, I'll be damned if I can figure out how to do a cross-choke with the GI. I always seem to get my hands in the right place and start to choke, but my opponent doesn't end up tapping. Bad leverage maybe, as usually I'm mounted when I get them in it. Need to figure out why it's not working correctly, I always easily get my hands in position and crossed, but the choke isn't working too well. If I can figure out how to correct this, I'll be nailing it very easily while rolling. Anybody have any tips/ideas on it?

From mount? If I really have the grips in tight, I pull up slightly and lean all the way over so my forehead is almost touching the ground.

[Forgotten18]

From mount? If I really have the grips in tight, I pull up slightly and lean all the way over so my forehead is almost touching the ground.

I'm usually the one on the bottom when I get my hands in and my opponent has me mounted. I manage to slow them down, they just don't tap...I was told it may work better if you have them in a "high" guard, rather than when they are mounted. IDK.

[Ecnewyx]

I'm usually the one on the bottom when I get my hands in and my opponent has me mounted. I manage to slow them down, they just don't tap...I was told it may work better if you have them in a "high" guard, rather than when they are mounted. IDK.

Well, if you're on bottom and mounted... you shouldn't be able to get a cross choke in, lol, no leverage for it. Unless you're just fantastically strong and the guy on top is fantastically awful... because I know I'd feel awful if I got submitted in what is supposed to be a very dominant position. :)

In my experience, yes, way better if they're in your guard. Doesn't have to be "high" (i.e., one leg over the shoulder) but you should have their posture broken down enough that you can pull their head down to your chest. If that's the case, I can sink the choke in even without both hands on the collar.

This is what I do:

- Right hand has a deep grip and pulling them down so my elbow is almost to the ground.
- Using my legs to help break the posture.
- Left hand is either in the cross-collar grip, or if they're defending that I try to reach across to their LEFT shoulder with my left hand and just "push" them down further.
- The choke is across the carotid against my RIGHT forearm/wrist

[Forgotten18]

Well, if you're on bottom and mounted... you shouldn't be able to get a cross choke in, lol, no leverage for it. Unless you're just fantastically strong and the guy on top is fantastically awful... because I know I'd feel awful if I got submitted in what is supposed to be a very dominant position. :)

In my experience, yes, way better if they're in your guard. Doesn't have to be "high" (i.e., one leg over the shoulder) but you should have their posture broken down enough that you can pull their head down to your chest. If that's the case, I can sink the choke in even without both hands on the collar.

This is what I do:

- Right hand has a deep grip and pulling them down so my elbow is almost to the ground.
- Using my legs to help break the posture.
- Left hand is either in the cross-collar grip, or if they're defending that I try to reach across to their LEFT shoulder with my left hand and just "push" them down further.
- The choke is across the carotid against my RIGHT forearm/wrist

Thanks for the tips bro. Hopefully I can figure out what I'm doing incorrectly and be able to really cinch this in. I get my hands in the correct area, I guess it's just minor things i.e. where my forearm lays on their neck/throat, etc.

[Forgotten18]

BJJ class last night. Did decent while rolling, rolled a little bit more "clamer" and tried to really learn and concentrate on my moves rather. I got kicked in the head while rolling though and have a nice goose egg on my eyebrow area. Felt a little under the weather after that, so I didn't end up lifting after class like I usually do on Mondays. Hopefully will make up the lifting today.

[Forgotten18]

Took the day off from BJJ and MT training yesterday. I just wasn't feeling it and thought it'd be better to get some R&R. I've got a BJJ class tonight and going to doing some lifting before/after.
I'm trying to get my hands on the P90X CDs set so I can hopefully incorporate that into my program. Apparently, from what I hear, P90X helps with conditioning, which will hopefully help me stop gassing as fast and help me drop some more of this extra bodyfat. Currently I'm approx. 176 lbs. I'd like to get down to at least 165 lbs. if not 160 or a little lower. It seems easy, only 10 lbs to lose, but I've come a pretty long way in the past 8 months, down from 200 lbs. and before that at my heaviest around 240-250 lbs a few years ago.

[Forgotten18]

Took the day off from BJJ and MT training yesterday. I just wasn't feeling it and thought it'd be better to get some R&R. I've got a BJJ class tonight and going to doing some lifting before/after.
I'm trying to get my hands on the P90X CDs set so I can hopefully incorporate that into my program. Apparently, from what I hear, P90X helps with conditioning, which will hopefully help me stop gassing as fast and help me drop some more of this extra bodyfat. Currently I'm approx. 176 lbs. I'd like to get down to at least 165 lbs. if not 160 or a little lower. It seems easy, only 10 lbs to lose, but I've come a pretty long way in the past 8 months, down from 200 lbs. and before that at my heaviest around 240-250 lbs a few years ago.

I've being trying to keep my diet in check with a paleo style of eating (although I must confess that I have dairy in the form of cheese or butter occassionally), but I've seemed to hit a brick wall lately, no weight loss for the past 2-3 months (I've actually gained, 2-3 lbs according to the scale). I have been told I'm looking more defined, which is weird since I've been eating more and been doing BJJ and MT classes instead of lifting most of the time...

[Forgotten18]

Had BJJ class last night. Making slow improvements in my techniques etc. Nothing noteworthy really other than that. I've incorporated more vegetables into my diet, and have seen to gained a few lbs. (water weight??) Not sure what that's about. I'm consuming approx. 2500 calories a day, maybe I need to go lower?

[Forgotten18]

Muay Thai and BJJ last night. I was wiped out by the end of the night, a little bit more physically enduring training yesterday compared to usual. My jump roping (warm up for Muay Thai) is coming along good, lol. I remember a few weeks ago when I couldn't even "jump the rope". Did decent rolling last night, one thing I realize though is that I suck at takedowns. Half that problem is that I really don't know more than 1 or 2.

I'm going to the Bellator Fighting Championship Welterweight Tournament finals tonight at Mohegan Sun Casino !

[Forgotten18]

The Bellator fight on Friday was pretty sweet. We were pretty damn close to the cage. The actual seat in the arena sucked though as they were made to fit a 6 year old, but I can't complain about free tickets.

Monday I had BJJ trainning, nothing to noteable there. Learned some easy chokes.

Tuesday was Muay Thai and BJJ. I still need to really work on my Muay Thai. My left arm is just terrible at punching. I am getting better at remembering to "always" block my face though. I did real good during rolling last night, swept my opponents several several times, and got a few tap outs. I just really need to work on knowing what submission to do in what situation, half my problem is, I don't know what to go for and in a situation like that I'll usually just try for a collar choke or something. I really wish I knew how to execute a gullotine and rear naked choke effectively. I found myself in a situation to throw them on nearly 5 times for each, tried to go for them, yet to no avail. I'll have to keep looking it up online/watching videos.

All in all, feeling pretty good and confident. I think I'm really starting to show some progress and improvement in BJJ. MT is coming along very slow, so maybe I'll focus on that type of stuff when I get some free time. Been doing both for a little less than a month now.

[Forgotten18]

BJJ training last night. Fox news was there so the class was really crowded, making it hard to practice moves. I was wiped out last night after practice. Today Muay Thai and BJJ...then the weekend.

[Forgotten18]

Had BJJ training last night. I did some lifting beforehand, felt good to hit the weights. Didn't learn anything noteable during training, however I did fairly awesome when rolling at the end of the night.

[Forgotten18]

BJJ training last night. Didn't do too bad. Went over some arm bar and triangles from guard. I did decent while rolling, got a clock choke in on one of my opponents and made him tap. I'm happy to be hitting other movies besides armbar, gullotine, and rear naked chokes. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a triangle soon while rolling =) Tonight is Muay Thai followed by BJJ. Thinking of doing a quick chest workout before I go, pending on how I feel.

[Forgotten18]

Did a quick chest workout yesterday before MMA training. My chest needs a lot of work, I feel as though I'm not that strong and that I have no endurance when it comes to benching. I'm only benching like 130 lbs (+45 lb bar) for about 10 reps. I feel as though I should be able to left a lot more.

We did a lot of clinching and kneeing drills in Muay Thai last night. It was pretty good. Followed that up by 200 situps/crunches which really got me fatigued. BJJ training was afterwards. We went over mostly armbars and a sweep.

[Forgotten18]

I did an awesome job rolling at BJJ on Friday night. Prolly my best night thus far. My weight is finally getting back in check now, I've been eating a little better and it seems to be making a difference. Right now I'm back down to about 174/175. Hopefully be able to drop close to 10 by the end of the summer.