Still kicking!

I haven't blogged much, because I haven't had much to say.

I started doing some dietbets (dietbet.com) and I like how that is giving me some different motivation. Having fun with it.

My daughters birthday party has been moved which means...I get to compete in Judo! For the first time in two years! The last time I did it, at this very same tournament, I tore the ACL in my knee.

Now, I was in the "and up" weight division (220lbs 'and up'). This time, I will not compete if I can't drop below 220lbs. All my dietbets converge on that weight to give me extra ($$) motivation.

I don't have illusions of doing super-awesome, as it'll be my first time out of the novice division and in with brown/black belts who may have been doin Judo since they were 6 years old or whatever.

But it will be a big victory for me just to compete. I just pray I don't injure myself again. It was emotionally terrible for my family and I to go through this last time. It was very expensive as well.

We got to do a self-defense course that was fun. I punch like a girl.

Judo rules!

I just can't express how nice it has been to be regularly back to Judo. It's been going GREAT. I feel alive and energized. All this weight I've gained and feeling like a miserable blob over the holidays is just vanishing. My motivation is back, my energy is back, I truly feel alive when I'm doing Judo.

it's the hardest thing I've ever done physically, by far.

But what really has me mentally stoked is that I'm getting better, particularly on the ground (the extra 100 or so hours of newaza I've done due to also doing BJJ is certainly paying off). The dojo is getting back into a rhythm and lots of new people are trying it out. Just thrilled.

Continuing to focus on eating well and getting extra exercise in, both because it's important but also because I think I might try to compete in the tournament in March. I tore my ACL 2 years ago, I think it's time to get back on the saddle even if I might not be successful competing.

Also, my toe is healing up nicely, I buddy taped it at Judo last night and was careful not to do anything to screw it up further. it's still swollen though and I noticed it was bruised for the first time yesterday. I'm pretty sure I broke it. Oh well!

Love focus

There is an amazing clarity that comes when I can devote my focus singularly to something, like getting fit. I have a specific goal (March tournament) that makes it easy to remember what I'm doing and why. I can be very successful at it over the short term and feel great.

Why don't I stick with it the long term? Folks like John Stone of Johnstonefitness.com or ChickenTuna of bunklers.com do it. What makes them different? I'm not sure.

Also, how I feel while eating clean vs how I feel eating dirty is night and day. I feel like superman when eating clean. The hunger I feel isn't that horrible gotta eat carb-fueled hunger, it's just a barely there minor reminder to go eat something, eventually. I can skip meals often without noticing. One donut tastes OK for a little bit and then I feel awful. Not for cheating, but physically awful. Sluggish. Weak.

Why would I do that to myself over and over? The only conclusion I can come to is the bad stuff actually is addictive.

It's enjoyable, but we know it's bad for us, we feel good temporarily while we use it but the high doesn't last and we then feel bad. We keep seeking it out despite not wanting to.

Sounds like addiction.

Ever try quitting chocolate forever? It must be what alcoholics or smokers feel when they try to quit drinking or smoking. People who aren't addicts can't really sympathize with them, but think about how you would REALLY do giving up junk food forever. It's hard.

But it's good for you. We should all do it. I'm working on figuring how, for me, to accomplish that over the long term. It's not as easy as 'just not picking the stuff up'...or maybe it is.

Perhaps I should look at successful quitters of smoking and drinking to see what lessons I can learn from them...

Killing it (by it I mean my toe)

So yesterday was the first full day of 100% focused effort. It kicked ass! Diet was perfect (except too low on calories), my energy is good, everything is good. Judo was GREAT! We had some new people which is the only time that really illustrates the progress you're making. I'm making progress :) I had a couple newaza with Sensei as well where I progressed a few rounds of the chess game before he got me. Usually I'm toast on his first move, but I made him have to change his strategy several times by anticipating and blocking his moves. That is awesome!

Continue today. Perfect diet. Perfect exercise. All habits in force.

My toe has been getting smashed a lot lately, I think it might be broked or something, except I'd expect it to hurt more. This morning it's still swollen and painful, so I am going to sit at my standing desk some of the day I think.