Ok, I need SERIOUS help please!!!

[NewBoxer21]

Alright. My name is Matt. I am 19 years old, with no prior Boxing experience. I'm 5'8" 168 pounds. I am not an expert in physical fitness, so I can't really tell you in how good of shape I am in or what. I will tell you that I probably have a little less than average body fat. This is my Freshman year at Penn State Altoona, which is a branch campus off of Penn State- University Park. I am really starting to get interested in Boxing. Since Penn State has a Boxing team, I was wondering if it is a realistic goal to be able to try out for the team exactly 18 months from now? If it's not a realistic goal, then I am not going to put my time into it.

Here is the Boxing team's site. [Only registered and activated users can see links]

I have a pretty close friend who has competed in the Junior Olympics National Championships who is willing to help me train, but he can't until summer. In the mean time(and only if you determine that this is a realistic goal), what can I do to help myself get ready to start training?

[GPater11093]

try find a boxing club near by or ask to train with the boxing team or if they know of a boxing gym nearby.

18 months is a good target i started fighting after a year of training. and know 18 months later i am holding my own with heavier more experianced guys.

hope that helps

[NewBoxer21]

Well, being in college right now, I don't have a whole lot of time to put into actual training at this time, that's why I said not until summer. What can I do in the meantime, though, to get ready for training in the summer? Do you think just changing my diet around would be a good start?

[RDJ]

You can do a lot in 18 months, I guess it depends on your shape, talent and dedication. Until summer all you can do is get your general fitness / agility up, and since you can't do anything sports specific I think it's wise to keep it as diverse as possible. Swim, run, bike, play football, whatever you please basically as long as you're active.

[NewBoxer21]

Should I go into a strict diet right now or ease my way into one?

[RDJ]

Should I go into a strict diet right now or ease my way into one?

A healthy and balanced diet is a plus no matter what you do.

[NewBoxer21]

I really, REALLY dislike salad. Is that going to be a problem?

[RDJ]

I really, REALLY dislike salad. Is that going to be a problem?

No, why would it be? What kind of diet do you have in mind by the way?

[NewBoxer21]

I don't know, I guess your body does get a lot of nutrients just from 1 salad per day. I am not looking for any diet in particular. What kinds of foods do you think I should load up on?

[RDJ]

I don't know, I guess your body does get a lot of nutrients just from 1 salad per day. I am not looking for any diet in particular. What kinds of foods do you think I should load up on?

Oh ok. Well you can eat other vegetables instead, it's not a big deal. I happen to love salads, a bit of roman lettuce, a few eggs, an apple, a few tomatoes :blurp

You shouldn't load up on anything in particular IMO. Make sure each meal contains carbs, protein and fats. In other words whole natural foods, the less refined the better. Don't go crazy on protein, but make sure the protein you do get has a good amino acid profile (chicken, eggs, milk, lean beef, etc). Don't avoid fats, just steer clear of trans fats and margarine and such. Carbs should be as rich in micronutrients as possible, fruits and vegetables if possible, but whole grain bread and the likes are good as well if you need the calories (rye bread is very good). More small meals are better than a few big meals.

[NewBoxer21]

Well, I consider a pint of chocolate milk, a yogurt, an apple and a banana a full meal. What could another meal be throughout the day?

[Jazzo]

Alright. My name is Matt.

Well, that really adds context to your post, and in fact gives it new meaning. I missed it the first time around.

Thanks for being so clear.

[TheRock49]

Im 19, about 6'0 6'1/2'' and walk around 152, 153 , 6.1% body fat right now. So weight would be an issue for you. 140, 147 would be superb for your height. A guy at my boxing gym fought for Penn state about a year and a half ago, and judging from his skill level (I spar him regularly, yesterday even) if he is the average for that colleges boxing team, you're in trouble having no prior boxing experience.
18 months is a good amount of time, but like RDJ said, it depends on your dedication. You only have to lose about 15-20 lbs, and as long as your working on conditioning and technique regularly, I think you'll be safe. To go from a non-boxer to a member of Penn States boxing team though (base on the one guy I know that boxed for them) your gonna probably have to turn your lifestyle around.

[grumpy]

For what it's worth 18 months is plenty of time to get yourself ready for a match. You need to do your road work, calastenics or weight train , and eat healthy. Work on getting in condition so when you start to box you'll be in better shape and your boxing workouts will be more productive . I'm originaly from Pittsburgh, so keep us posted on your progress.

[RossR24]

I'm from near pennstate. Indiana, PA actually. if you've ever heard of it. my club competed in the show at penn state just last weekend. anyway penn state's boxing club is in the NCBA (national college boxing association) which is a tad different from most amatuer leauges. it is set up great for guys like you because to compete on a college team in the NCBA you cannot have more than 6 fights after the age of 16 (i'm worrying about this now..) so it encourages guys to pick up boxing in their freshman year. it is mostly beginners. another thing is you are 5'8 and 168. thats pretty heavy. unless you are naturally built that way i would look to lose weight. i'm 5'8 and fight at 138 without really cutting much weight. but everyone has different frames. I encourage you to get into the sport though. also to the poster above me what club do you fight at in pittsburgh?

[grumpy]

Ross I dodn't actually box in pgh, I moved to KY and I boxed at the Central Ky Boxing club, which is actually a collegate gym for UK. Then I moved to FL and boxed at Elite Boxing the same gym that Buddy Mcgirt coaches at. I was only an amateur then I blew out my shoulder. The end of my boxing "career".

[RossR24]

ahh im sorry to hear that. i misread your post i thought it said you still lived in pittsburgh

[NewBoxer21]

For what it's worth 18 months is plenty of time to get yourself ready for a match. You need to do your road work, calastenics or weight train , and eat healthy. Work on getting in condition so when you start to box you'll be in better shape and your boxing workouts will be more productive . I'm originaly from Pittsburgh, so keep us posted on your progress.

What do you mean by road work?

[NewBoxer21]

I'm from near pennstate. Indiana, PA actually. if you've ever heard of it. my club competed in the show at penn state just last weekend. anyway penn state's boxing club is in the NCBA (national college boxing association) which is a tad different from most amatuer leauges. it is set up great for guys like you because to compete on a college team in the NCBA you cannot have more than 6 fights after the age of 16 (i'm worrying about this now..) so it encourages guys to pick up boxing in their freshman year. it is mostly beginners. another thing is you are 5'8 and 168. thats pretty heavy. unless you are naturally built that way i would look to lose weight. i'm 5'8 and fight at 138 without really cutting much weight. but everyone has different frames. I encourage you to get into the sport though. also to the poster above me what club do you fight at in pittsburgh?

I know where Indiana is. I'm actually from Tyrone. You probably know where that is. Anyway, I live in Altoona right now. One thing about my weight... should I post a pic of myself? I think I look pretty trim for my size, but I know there is always weight to lose. I could probably comfortably get myself to 147. That's only about 21 pounds in 18 months, easily manageable if I watch what I eat and condition myself I think. As for conditioning myself... I really do not like running, but I will if I have to. Is biking a suitable replacement for running? I'd rather bike 10 miles than run 5... let me know what you think.

Here are the weight classes in the NCBA:

112, 119
125, 132
139, 147
156, 165
175, 185
195, H.W.

156 is an easy possibility, but I should probably try to get to 147, right?

[TheRock49]

156 is an easy possibility, but I should probably try to get to 147, right?

Yep. The guy at my gym that fought for them fought at 195 there. Thats probably why I see black whenever he hits me with a stiff straight... A buddy of mine, him, and me are meeting up to spar before fight class tonight in about an hour... wish me luck... :!:

[NewBoxer21]

Yep. The guy at my gym that fought for them fought at 195 there. Thats probably why I see black whenever he hits me with a stiff straight... A buddy of mine, him, and me are meeting up to spar before fight class tonight in about an hour... wish me luck... :!:

His name wouldn't happen to be Dustin frank, would it?

[TheRock49]

His name wouldn't happen to be Dustin frank, would it?

Im pretty sure his first name is Dustin, I dont know his last name... so Im thinking yea, how many Dustin Franks who have fought for Penn State can there be?!

Im 6'0, but I also only walk around 153ish so you can picture the difference between us in the ring.

[NewBoxer21]

Im pretty sure his first name is Dustin, I dont know his last name... so Im thinking yea, how many Dustin Franks who have fought for Penn State can there be?!

Im 6'0, but I also only walk around 153ish so you can picture the difference between us in the ring.

Yea. Hey could you answer my one question that I asked that other guy? Is running a must or could I substitute it with biking? I absolutely hate running with no purpose. Like I love Basketball and Football, but to just go running... way too boring for me. As I said, I'd rather bike 10 miles than run 5.

[TheRock49]

Yea. Hey could you answer my one question that I asked that other guy? Is running a must or could I substitute it with biking? I absolutely hate running with no purpose. Like I love Basketball and Football, but to just go running... way too boring for me. As I said, I'd rather bike 10 miles than run 5.

It obviously cant hurt. I dont see it as being as effective as running because of the momentum that you have helping you. RDJ bikes though so Im sure he'll have something to add. Superbly, for boxing you should be doing some kind of interval running. I despise running also, something that helps me a little is having my ipod.

[RDJ]

It obviously cant hurt. I dont see it as being as effective as running because of the momentum that you have helping you. RDJ bikes though so Im sure he'll have something to add. Superbly, for boxing you should be doing some kind of interval running. I despise running also, something that helps me a little is having my ipod.

I bike a lot indeed, but it's more to get to the gym than for anything in particular. To be honest I think it has barely any cross over effect as far as conditioning is concerned, but it burns some calories and keeps me active.

Roadwork is much better, but it's not the same as running it's more moving. Alternate between forward, backward and sideways. Do some rotating, arms shoulders, etc. Then cariocas for example. Between that throw some punches while running to improve coordination between muscles. Then chase a random cyclist for a while at a higher speed, or do calisthenics at a bench for example. If you find a quiet place with no onlookers do some shadowboxing.

I always found running boring, but I like doing road work.

[FightinIrish26]

Yea. Hey could you answer my one question that I asked that other guy? Is running a must or could I substitute it with biking? I absolutely hate running with no purpose. Like I love Basketball and Football, but to just go running... way too boring for me. As I said, I'd rather bike 10 miles than run 5.

It doesn't matter if you hate it, you need to run. Start eating more protein (way more), start lifting three days a week, and run as much as you can. That'll at least give you a base.

[GPater11093]

newboxer you ahve to run

i absouloutly hate running but my ipod does help abit, running duffs my knees if i do it real cold without warming up and it gives me sore feet but i do it anyway as you habe to to box

IMO biking is a waste of time unless you want to bike up big hills to improve your leg strenght as going up hils really burns but you would still need to run.

btw Chris Eubank would sometimes to bike instead of run but only rarely and Juan Diaz never runs instead he swims and Naz hardly ever ran he did alot of sparring instead and moving around the ring. Angelo Dundee preferrs fighters to run on straight ground as there are no hills in the ring. And emmanuel steward prefers fighter sto move around the ring wioth weights on their feet

[NewBoxer21]

Ok well I started to run last Sunday. I'm starting out at 2 miles but not running every day. Almost every day, but not quite every day. I'm sure that will be fine for a while until I get my legs and my wind back, right? I say "back" because I used to be in pretty good shape, but I was lazy for a long time. Anyway, starting today I am also cutting soda totally out of my drinking habits and replacing it with water or juice, whatever I feel like to mix it up. At least replacing chips and pretzels with popcorn... Popcorn is not the healthiest snack in the world but compared to chips and pretzels it is a good compromise. I'll let you guys know what else I am up to as I go along.

[JN95]

get training NOW

[TwoFistedPiston]

Well, I consider a pint of chocolate milk, a yogurt, an apple and a banana a full meal. What could another meal be throughout the day?

Well this was my meal when I came back from training this morning, having not eaten before I went..

Grilled Chicken Fillet
Ceasar Salad w/ a bit of cheese and 3 sliced baby potatoes
2 pints of water

= Magnifique:deal

i.e. This was not Dinner, just something smallish for after training so I didn't die!!

[TwoFistedPiston]

It doesn't matter if you hate it, you need to run. Start eating more protein (way more), start lifting three days a week, and run as much as you can. That'll at least give you a base.
Hey whoah!
He's 5'9 and 168lbs.. Why start lifting 3 times a week?
Im 5'9 and 150lbs the same height as most guys around my weight, 168 guys would be 6'0!

[QuestionKid7]

Hey whoah!
He's 5'9 and 168lbs.. Why start lifting 3 times a week?
Im 5'9 and 150lbs the same height as most guys around my weight, 168 guys would be 6'0!

Yeah I agree. I am 6' 1" and weigh 168. I still need to clean up my diet and drop to 160.

[TwoFistedPiston]

Ive started a new diet in order to get down to 147. I eat healthy anyway and with cutting out alcohol and junk food I'll get down no problem, but here it is anyway...

Breakfast: I either have scrambled eggs and wholewheat bread or porridge, always with a cup of tea/coffee and a pint of water.

Lunch: 3 boiled baby potatoes sliced into a Ceasar Salad with some cheese and croutons.

Dinner: Whatevers going once its got carbs and protein and some veg.. i.e rice and beef, pasta and chicken with a chilli, bolognese, jalfrezi, whatever sauce. I always eat dinner with a coffee coz it makes me shit before I go training in the evening so I dont feel so full.

Drinking plenty of water throughtout the day to flush out!

[NewBoxer21]

Yea I was going to ask... since I need to cut a lot of weight, should I even lift at all?

[TwoFistedPiston]

Yea I was going to ask... since I need to cut a lot of weight, should I even lift at all?
I usually stop lifting 2 to 3 weeks before a fight and then trim down. Not that I lift that much I just do arms and back and maybe some legs. Even then, its only 1 or 2 times a week

[TheRock49]

Hey whoah!
He's 5'9 and 168lbs.. Why start lifting 3 times a week?
Im 5'9 and 150lbs the same height as most guys around my weight, 168 guys would be 6'0!

Im 6'0 and fight at 152...

[TwoFistedPiston]

Im 6'0 and fight at 152...
Good for you..:blood

[NewBoxer21]

Actually, since I began this topic, my weight go away from me and I was all the way up to 173 at one point, but now I'm back down to 167 and still losing!!