Tips for Boxing

[Junior 11]

Hi guys I'm new to the board and looking for help on nutrition and workouts. I'm 18 years old, 5'8'' and 144 lbs. I'm trying to get down to 140 or 135. I joined a fitness gym about 2 months ago and have stuck with there boxing class. They offer other sports such as Muay Thai and Kickboxing, but I want to stick with boxing. I want to get serious about it and possibly have at least one amateur fight. Fighting would give me the self-confidence I've always lacked and would give me the feeling of knowing I actually did it, and didn't back down. That's my goal for boxing.

But I came on here to get help on nutrition and workouts. If any of you could offer me some helpful information on these two areas I would greatly appreciate it.
I'm looking for help on what to eat. This might sound like common sense, to avoid junk foods and such. But I want to know which foods to stay away from and what foods will be essential to my health and to me as a fighter. Also, how many meals should I eat a day. I haven't drank soda in about 2-3 weeks and have only drank water so far (with milk every once in a while :P)

On the workout part, I'm wondering which types of workouts should I be doing. What areas should I focus on and what types of things can I do to improve my footwork and the way I punch.
I'm a small guy standing at 5'8'' and 144 lbs, so I always ask people at my people if I should lift weights or not. I heard weights will make a lighter boxer, bigger and slower. So far some people have told me to lift, while others are against it. I'm just really confused on the weightlifting part.
About a month ago I also ran for a week straight, but than gave up on it.

I know that's a lot to ask for, but I'm really lost at times so I really would appreciate any help you guys can offer. I'm willing to give boxing my all if I know where to start from. Again, my goal is to fight at least once. Thanks in advance.

[Junior 11]

bump

Anyone? lol

[Suckmedry]

Well, first of all, does the gym you are at now produce fighters who fight reguarly at competitions? Because if not, then get to a different gym that does.

As for diet, Eat around 5-6 times per day, with 3 meals and 2-3 snacks. Staying away from things like McDonalds etc is common sense but also things like white bread, sodas, anything deep fried, anything sugary etc

Eat lean meats (lean cuts of steak or lamb, skinless chicken) fruits, vegetables (either fresh or steamed, maybe baked) drink skim milk instead of the regular stuff, eat wholemeal or multigrain bread instead of white, don't drink too much fruit juice, cereals are usually good, but many have heaps of added sugar. Cornflakes aren't bad, but stuff like froot loops are. Oatmeal is your best bet for breakfast, with some honey. Reduced fat yoghurts are also good. Diet sodas aren't bad, you can have them.

You don't have to cut out junk completely, just limit it to about once or twice a week at most.

As for training, go to your sessions at the gym, and try to run for 2 miles as fast you can about 2-3 times per week. Keep pushing yourself and trying to lower your time.

That should get you started.

That

[Spartacus Sully]

Well, first of all, does the gym you are at now produce fighters who fight reguarly at competitions? Because if not, then get to a different gym that does.

As for diet, Eat around 5-6 times per day, with 3 meals and 2-3 snacks. Staying away from things like McDonalds etc is common sense but also things like white bread, sodas, anything deep fried, anything sugary etc

Eat lean meats (lean cuts of steak or lamb, skinless chicken) fruits, vegetables (either fresh or steamed, maybe baked) drink skim milk instead of the regular stuff, eat wholemeal or multigrain bread instead of white, don't drink too much fruit juice, cereals are usually good, but many have heaps of added sugar. Cornflakes aren't bad, but stuff like froot loops are. Oatmeal is your best bet for breakfast, with some honey. Reduced fat yoghurts are also good. Diet sodas aren't bad, you can have them.

You don't have to cut out junk completely, just limit it to about once or twice a week at most.

As for training, go to your sessions at the gym, and try to run for 2 miles as fast you can about 2-3 times per week. Keep pushing yourself and trying to lower your time.

That should get you started.

That

the gym hes at is a fitness gym, fitness gyms dont make fighters their goal is to waste your time with exercises for 6 months then teach you boxing stuff stuff for the next 6 months so that once your one year contract is up you have no choice but to sign up for a second year if you actually want to spar and fight people. but really they force you to cancel your contract like 3 months before the end of it by certified return receipt mail sooooo you only get 3 months of actual boxing knowledge before you have to make your choice and your trapped there for another year.

he probably needs to get to a new gym

and the rest of the stuff is great advice as well.

[Junior 11]

It's a fitness gym but they do produce fighters. There's 3 locations to my gym and the one I'm attending used to have a good boxing team from what I hear. Things have been shaky for about month now though. 2 coaches have left and a new one's coming in :P

Again there are 3 locations. There's another where they tell me a former coach of my gym teaches at. He's supposedly really good and they teach beginner classes and advance classes. But I'm stuck to a yearly contract. Should I give the other gym a try? I can go to the other gym because it's under the same name.

[Spartacus Sully]

It's a fitness gym but they do produce fighters. There's 3 locations to my gym and the one I'm attending used to have a good boxing team from what I hear. Things have been shaky for about month now though. 2 coaches have left and a new one's coming in :P

Again there are 3 locations. There's another where they tell me a former coach of my gym teaches at. He's supposedly really good and they teach beginner classes and advance classes. But I'm stuck to a yearly contract. Should I give the other gym a try? I can go to the other gym because it's under the same name.

regardless of where you go your going to get the same training as long as your still going to a fitness gym type place.

look around your area see if there are any actual boxing gyms. you can tell actual boxing gyms because you dont have to sign a contract and they're usually cheaper because the coaches are doing it for the love of the sport not for the love of money.

either way your stuck at this fitness place for the rest of the year contract so id say make the best of what you have and check out the other 2 fitness gyms and find the one where you feel most respected at and has the most competent coach.

if you are able to find a real boxing gym in your area Id say check it out make sure you like it and get the hell out of this fitness gym as soon as your contract is up.

[Junior 11]

Thanks, I'll definitely give the other location a try. Hopefully I can get something useful out of the yearly contract. Thanks for your help

[Roadwork]

Good luck. And don't forget to shadow box all your combinations daily. Your coach should have you do it in the gym but you should also practice on your own. Again good luck. The advice the gentleman have given you is excellent.