Fit Revolution: fun activities that can help you stay fit and lose weight

We have entered the self-conscious and do something about it era. 

The insecurities present in our reality are recognized and treated according to the specifications of what is available.

It’s a good thing.

It’s a very good thing.

The awareness towards health and fitness has risen over the years. This social revolution has resulted to an influx of exercise facilities and “the latest trend” on how to be fit. It also paved way for the influx of gyms that cater to people based on preference, location and budgetary considerations.

With all the information present on the internet, social media, print ads, YouTube pop-ups, etc. How do you determine which works best for you?

Listed below are a few sports/activities that can help you lose weight, feel healthy and at the same time have fun while doing it:

Jogging/ Running/ Brisk-walking/ Interval Running

photo from the internet

 The cheapest form of exercise out there so far. All you need are a good pair or running shoes, an open space/jogging path and you’re good to go. Thanks to better road conditions, pedestrian friendly business districts, L – carnitine drinks and beautifully landscaped residential communities, this movement has made a comeback. It is so nice to see people jogging around Ayala Triangle, along High Street in BGC, the side streets of Rockwell, the perimeter of Greenhills mall to name a few. This led to the now popular fun runs held almost everywhere during weekends.  

Tip: For beginners, start on a slow pace and gradually build up speed until you can sustain a certain stride. Make sure you are breathing properly as you go along. 

Muscle groups worked: leg muscles, a little bit of the arms and shoulders, lower back and it is good cardio.

Condura Skyway Marathon (photo from the internet)

Basketball

Shoes, slippers or barefoot it doesn't matter. As long as we have a ball and a hoop (photo from the internet)

The Pinoy’s passion sport.  A majority of the male population started playing basketball as kids. Some are fortunate enough to play at the highest level. Most are content to just get ten guys together in one court for a good 5-on-5 pick-up game. Basketball is so popular that every corner of every village in the entire country has a make shift hoop ready to play ball on.

Muscle groups worked: it is a total body work out. The running and sprinting improves cardio, leg muscles for all around movement, and upper body muscles (core, shoulders, biceps, triceps) for shooting, rebounding and defending opponents

Ain't no amount of national calamity will destroy this country's love for the game (photo from the internet)

Biking

photo from the internet

Mountain bike, triathlon bike, BMX, racers, with or without sidecars, with or without training wheels it doesn’t matter. Look for a park or any piece of real estate with bike lanes and start pedaling.

Muscle groups worked: LEGS. LEGS. LEGS. A good way to improve cardio.

photo from the internet

Boxing

The face of Philippine boxing (photo from the internet)

Think Manny Pacquiao. The sweet science is economical, challenging and readily available. Buy a good pair of boxing gloves (Twins, Fairtex, FBT are nice brands), hand wraps and then head to your nearest boxing gym. It’s a good way to break a sweat and at the same time learn how to properly deliver a punch.

Muscle groups worked: this is another total body work out activity. The upper body is utilized for punching, weaving and hitting the bags, speedballs and mitts. The lower body muscle group works together to generate the power that delivers the knockout punch.

Every gym has a story to tell (photo from the internet)

Swimming

photo from the internet

You may have to look for a public pool or contact a friend who lives in a condo with a swimming pool. It is one of the complete total body workouts out there. The motion required for swimming engages all the major muscle groups while strengthening your cardiovascular system. Best way to beat the summer heat too.

Muscle groups worked: all the paddling/strokes works the arms, chest, shoulders and abdominals while the flutter kicks work all the major muscle groups of the lower body.

photo from the internet

Dancing

photo from the internet

Ballroom, Jazz, Salsa, Zumba, Rumba, Tango, Hip-Hop, etc. take your pick. From the wooden floors of a dance studio to the carpeted living room of your home – there’s always room for good music and hip swinging.

Muscle groups worked: all that body bumping will engage the core muscles together with the thighs butt and calves.

Who says exercising isn't fun? (photo from the internet)

Lifting weights

photo from the internet

It could be your neighborhood country club or that next door neighbor’s garage gym.  Make sure to warm up properly, stretch and go light the first time. Gradually increase the weight as you progress.

Do not limit yourselves to the aforementioned activities. These are just some of the more accessible tools out there. The whole point is acting on the need to be healthy, but having fun in the process. Do what makes you happy. Do something that encourages perspiration.

photo from the internet

Start today and Never Stop.

#basketball #boxing #gym #fitfam #fitspiration #dancing #running #mannypacquiao #sharkswag #fitness 

The Day you realize sh*t just got real: A white belt’s (noob) guide into the world of the gentle art

Our minds have been curious bastards since the dawn of man. The day Eve gave Adam a taste of the forbidden fruit was the beginning of our mind’s unending desire to see the world and discover its mysteries. Little did we know that wearing a hard cotton weaved kimono with rubberized collars partnered by  8-loop drawstring pants pieced together by a piece of woven (colored) cloth -  which we shall call a belt,  could have such a great impact on our minds, bodies and souls.

You have chosen your academy (gym, dojo, Mc Dojo, sanctuary, happy place, etc.)

You’ve signed up and paid your fees

Bought your Gi

Watched documentaries and “bjj basics” on youtube

And now at about two weeks into training

You slowly realize that sh*t just got real

This turning point happens to most, if not, all white belts. This is the determinant as to whether you decide if this is for you or its time to do something else (make sure it’s not something boring).

There are many reasons, excuses, half-hearted decisions that would make you take the easy way out and just quit – and if you do, chances are you’re an idiot. 

But if you do decide to continue with this journey, let me remind you of certain things, so that you will remind yourself later on:

White Belt is the sponge level of any martial art. absorb all that you can.

NOBODY gets it the first time

ALL black belts, world champions, even your instructor didn't get it the first time. Their first upa-shrimp out transition probably looked as shitty as yours. Getting on their knees was a pretty unusual move, and the whole north-south position was awkward to look at unless you are at the privacy of your room.  But that doesn't mean you can’t and won’t get better through time. Repetition is the key. Patience is your greatest ally in mastering the basics.

Be PATIENT

Remember the last line of the first reminder – keep that in your head. Doing reps over and over can tend to be dragging, borderline boring. It’s no fun. But WE ALL HAVE TO DO IT. There is no other secret way to learning techniques and making it your own if we don’t make an effort to ingrain it in our muscle memory and make it part of our jiu-jitsu identity.

the Closed Guard is the commonly used position from the bottom

YOU WILL GET SMASHED, SUBMITTED, OBLITERATED as a white belt

This is a reality. This will happen. So many times that you will ask yourself at a certain point “What the f*ck am I doing here?”

Keep in mind that there is always someone out there who is better, stronger, and more technical than you. This does not mean you’re not good. It simply means that your training partner(s) exposed the things you have to work on so that you will get better .Wise men have said that “There is no losing in jiujitsu. You either win or you learn.”

Aggressiveness is an ally during tournaments but should be toned down while doing reps

Want to learn the Berimbolo? Lasso in X-guard? Inverted gogoplata with knee bar? Transition from reverse dela riva to the inverted rubber guard? Cool!

In order for you to learn the new techniques, you must first learn the basic guard structures they originated from. Learn the concepts. Learn the basic sweeps. Make them your own. When you can pull them off comfortably is the proper time to transition into the more fancy ones. The common mistake white belts have now are their weak foundations. They are so engrossed with what’s new out there that knowing the berimbolo is more important than a scissor sweep.

Make techniques your own and branch out from there

This takes time. Enjoy the ride.

The first rule (hopefully) of BJJ is to have fun doing it. It’s an outlet. It’s a way of making new friends and learning a valuable martial art that can be beneficial as a sport and as a form of self – defense.

BJJ IS ADDICTING – prepare yourself for the lifestyle change

It’s true. Learning techniques, sparring, flying fist bumps all over, smiling, laughing, eating as a team after training, playing pranks on each other, cutting weight together for tournaments, and all other “team bonding” activities that will have a positive effect on your life will happen.  You will soon realize that you eat cleaner, you have a happier disposition in life. Getting mad is a tasking thing to do. Instead, take your energy on the mats and have a good roll. 

the BEST part is the journey, not the destination

people that start out as friends, ended up being a family

#BJJ #MMA #fighter #whitebelt #artesuave #guidelines #experience