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Boxing Update

In a previous blog post, I mentioned that I was planning on getting back into boxing this year. I am happy to share that since February, I have returned to gym I trained at for a month last year.

Back to Boxing

My first class back was pretty rough, which I expected it to be. I struggled to keep up with everyone else and constantly had to stop and take a break. By the time I got home, I stayed in the car for a while trying to squeeze out a tiny bit more energy to go inside my house. Normally this is something that would discourage me from going again, but I was determined to keep going.

Boxing classes are held three times a week: Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings. It’s a gym where multiple combat sports are taught, hence why it’s only three times a week. I’ve been relatively consistent going to classes. Due to mental health struggles, there are some weeks where I skip a day. There was even a week where I didn’t go at all. When I’m able to push past my depressive episodes and go, I always feel proud of myself.

Sparring

For the past several weeks, I’ve been sparring, which is practice fighting for those who don’t know. Sparring is done at the end of class after all the drills and each round is three minutes. This means that someone like me who has terrible cardio doesn’t perform well most of the time. My energy level is always 25% or less. Even though it’s annoying, it is necessary adversity that will prepare me for when I compete in an actual fight.

I’ve taken some big, hard shots during sparring. Upon impact, I have a split second feeling of “oh wow,” then I refocus and continue to the best of my ability. A lot of the folks I’ve sparred have complimented me after and seemed surprised that I’ve only been there for two months this year. This tells me that if some people are impressed with me when I’m tired, then surely my performances will be so much better once I improve my cardio.

An Enjoyable Activity

Despite all of this complaining I feel like I’ve being doing so far, I am thoroughly enjoying boxing and plan to continue for the foreseeable future. I feel like I’ve been connecting more with my classmates now, which is something I didn’t get to do much of last year. Everyone is chill, nice, helpful. It’s a great environment.

I am really glad that I found an exercise activity that I enjoy. It’s much more enjoyable than commercial gyms that I used to go to. My mom is also glad that I found another activity that I enjoy and am passionate, though she of course wishes it wasn’t something that causes me harm lol.

What activities are you passionate about? ~ T