Monday, November 23, 2009

To Diet or not to Diet, that is the Question


Last time you heard from me, I was getting ready for another fight. I had gained some weight and was working on losing around 10 pounds. I was going to fight again in Onterio, California for a pretty good purse. Because of that, I turned down a couple of other fights. It was coming down to the wire, and I was dieting really hard. I was getting close to my target weight.I got a text message from the promoter three days before the fight letting me know that the whole show had to be canceled due to lack of funds.

I was very frustrated. I already had the time off, so John and I took a little trip to the coast to relax. I started adding a few more calories to my diet and BAM, back up 5 pounds. I swear, it takes no time at all to gain weight but all too long to loss it. I relaxed my training a bit and hit the beach a few times for a run. Then I hear that I might have a fight in Costa Rica in a couple of weeks.

I started cutting again which is hard to do when you're camping, but I managed. I never heard back from that promoter, so I started eating a little more and gaining a little bit. Then I had another offer for a fight in Paso Robles next weekend. Man, I had my work cut out for me. I was back to training hard and dieting again. They were looking for an opponent for me and asked the girl I was supposed to fight in Onterio. She was my last chance for a fight on this card.

She said she'd get back to us after 8pm that night. It was morning yet, so I had a whole day of deprivation. I ate very little and got a beach run in. I was pacing the floor waiting for 8 pm to come around. I didn't hear from my coach until 8:30. Her answer was "NO". I'm thinking it was because, she, like me, had probably started gaining some weight after it was announced we wouldn't fight. It was a let down, but at least I was able to get some dinner in me.

One good thing that happened, I found a cool place to train when I go to Eureka called Humbolt Jiu-Jitsu Gym. Great mma training, great people, very reasonable rates. I even got to train with a couple of females who were pretty darn good. I had a killer workout and learned a few brutal moves to try on my next opponent. If you go there (509 H St.), be sure to tell Nick that Avery sent you.

So, no fights coming up for the time being. I'm trying to stay close to my fighting weight, so I'll only have 5 pounds to lose if something comes up. I've been doing pretty good, but Thanksgiving is coming up, and I'm worried. We have two dinners to go to in one day- my parents and then his. Oh well. I'll just have to be sure to get in a good workout that day.

My next project, though, will be on December 19th. I will be having a fun run at Dog Island Park at 9:00 am. It will be rain or shine, and it will be free to all who want to take part. The event will be called "Just Move It Tehama Country" and is part of a national campaign from Indian Health Services, who's goal is to promote physical activity for Native Americans. There are a lot of health issues that face Native Americans which increased activity can help combat. This goes for everyone, who couldn't benefit from some physical activity? This run will be open to everyone. I encourage you to come be a part of this, you have nothing to lose, except maybe some holiday weight.