Do You Have What It Takes? USMMA 2012 Challenge!

Stephanie’s Hints to Inner Wisdom

As the new year approaches we start to reflect on the past year or life thus far. We might consider how we want to change our life and, or what we want to improve. Most of us spend time after our holidays in limbo, waiting for the new year to arrive for a new beginning; a clean slate. 

Once January 1st arrives we finally feel ready to tackle on our resolutions to eat better, get to yoga more regularly, kick a habit, etc. So what happens to our resolutions in February, March or even a week after New Year’s day? We burn out. The excitment of a fresh start begins to fade away. Problems arise as they always do and we slip back into…

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Jessie Dwiggins’ Story:

My relationship with food has only recently become healthy. It has been my experience with yoga and mindful eating that has evolved my dysfunctional perspective of food and self-image to a positive, vibrant outlook to eating and living. I share this story, not to elicit sympathy, but to describe the experience that has led me to be so passionate about teaching yoga and mindful-eating.

My journey begun when I was young, as is the case, unfortunately, with many girls and young women today. I was overweight as a child and pre-teen. My mother always provided nutritious food but I wasn’t very active. I knew I needed to change when, as part of a school video project; I needed baggy pants and went into my father’s closet for a pair of jeans. They didn’t fit.  I stepped on the bathroom scale and was shocked. I expressed my frustration to my Mother, found a diet in Teen magazine, and I set out to lose weight. I did, 35 pounds. But in the process I established rigid, restrictive eating patterns.

My interest in studying nutrition began as I was reading and learning about weight loss. I was exercising excessively and began bargaining with myself to overeat. I have to point out that my Mother kept close watch over my eating and exercising habits and read a lot of information about nutrition. She eventually expressed concern and I conceded that I was having difficulty with my body image and felt obsessive about eating and exercise. My parents found a therapist and I was diagnosed with and treated for Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD).

I temporarily found relief from my struggle with food when I moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University. I rescued a dog, which was irresponsible for freshman in college; however, I believe that she was integral in my recovery from BDD. I was able to redirect my attention away from myself and my body image and onto her care and wellbeing. We walked or hiked daily, a decrease in exercise for me but still plenty to keep me fit, she relaxed me, and I started practicing yoga. It was respite from my constant struggle with food.

Then, as a senior in college, I started experiencing regular panic attacks and was put on medication to manage them. I gained about 25 lbs in 6 months, despite no changes in eating and exercising habits, but my doctor was not convinced it was a result of the medication. In order to prove him wrong, I diligently measured and tracked my food intake, maintained 1300-1500 calories/day and exercised compulsively. I was back in a restrictive eating and exercise pattern and not losing weight.

I maintained this pattern after graduating college and working a “real” job for 3 years. I was exhausting! Eventually, I grew tired of constantly trying to control my weight without seeing results. I needed a different solution. I needed to explore the roots of my eating behaviors and my struggle with body image. I did this in an intensive Forrest yoga teacher training that I participated in. For 30 days, 8 hours per day, I lived and breathed yoga. Ana Forrest, a pioneer in the yoga community and recovered from years of eating disorder, helped me to understand eating in a way that fuels my body and to appreciate my body’s potential.

Once the training was over, I maintained this perspective, however, after a while working fulltime as a Wellness Coach and attending graduate school, I noticed myself becoming disconnected from my regular practice of mindful behaviors. I needed to re-center. I found “Am I Hungry?” through my graduate thesis work studying mindful eating. The material presented in the workshops just made sense, the solution that I had been searching for since high school, which, ironically, has been inside me all along. And, without intending to, I lost 15 pounds.

I have since completed my graduate degree in nutrition and become a licensed Am I Hungry? facilitator in addition to teaching yoga. My relationship with food is still evolving and I expect it always will. The difference now is that it will grow and change in a healthy way. Best said by the Buddha, “As long as were facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.”

Jeremy Horn’s Elite Performance Workshop

If you’re looking to train with one of the most experienced fighters in the game, you need to look no further than USMMA on December 17^th for an exclusive 4 hour MMA clinic featuring journeyman fighter Jeremy Horn. Jeremy has revolutionized the game with his well-rounded brand of MMA and is arguably the prototype for today’s modern fighter.  By bringing a seamless combination of dangerous submissions, lethal standup, and strong wrestling, Jeremy has amassed a 88-21-5 Record (66 finshes) over a 16 year career with fights against MMA’s most elite fighters and three notable wins over Chael Sonnen. Although he is still an active fighter, Jeremy is one of today’s most sought after MMA trainers. Jeremy’s insight and instruction is guaranteed to help improve your performance.

Whether you’re looking to tighten up your grappling or add that extra pop to your standup, this is the one event you cannot miss this year.  Space is limited to ensure optimal instruction. We encourage you to reserve your spot now.

About USMMA: We have 2000 square feet of clean mat space, showers, and a Juice Bar for post-workout nutrition.  We are conveniently located  a half mile off of I-495 exit 18, simply take a right off of the exit coming from north or south and you will see the gym on your left immediately after the gas station and Dunkin Donuts.  The event begins promptly at 12:30 so make sure to get here early to warm up and allow time for travel.  The fee for this exclusive half day workshop is $100.  For more information please visit our website at www.usmma.org or feel free to contact us directly at 508-966-5006.

USMMA
United States Mixed Martial Arts
316 Hartford Ave.
Bellingham, MA

Post Workout Nutrition

It goes without saying that USMMA serves the MMA community, but we also serve a very large community of Yogi’s and Yoga lovers alike.  A common thread between the two that is often missed in comparison is wellness/health.  A fighter’s tool is his body. It must always be sharp, clean, and in good working order.  More and more evidence comes out every day that you are what you put in your body, and as such most successful fighters are extremely diligent about eating healthful foods.  In support of this trend there is even a growing vegan population within the sport.  Yogi’s treat their body as a temple, and it is because of this self respect they have similar if not more intensive clean eating habits. 

Now if we look at the history of Post Workout Nutrition, not more than 20 years ago it was commonplace at the typical gym juice bar to hear things like ox bile and predigested milk proteins as ingredients in a vile gag inducing shake.  What’s more surprising is that, although different names have been developed, there are still similar ingredients in many protein sources on the market today. Not ours…

Unfortunate as it might seem, the supplement industry is unregulated and as a result any supplements the average fitness enthusiast takes on a daily bases include inflammatory agents, potential poisons, artificial sweeteners (see potential poisons), obscene nutrient profiles, and low bioavailability proteins.  It’s a travesty that masses of people who are trying to make their body better, are rotting it from the inside with hosts of unhealthful ingredients.  That’s why we decided long ago to be the exception instead of the rule.

When you buy a Post workout shake at the front desk to refuel your body, either after a cleansing Yoga experience, or a brutal circuit, you can rest assured we have your total wellness in mind.  We use only the highest quality vegan friendly natural protein.  Our fruit is all organic, free of peticides, and other potentially harmful ingredients.  We use only whole oats, and local honey.  Everything down to the fresh ground peanut butter which has only one ingredient vs. the Skippy you might find in your cabinet.  It goes without saying you won’t find any high fructose corn syrup in our building, let alone our shakes.  If you take a minute to compare this to what you are offered at the typical juice bar you might be horrified by what you are actually spending money on elsewhere.  If you are interested in more information about specific products we offer please feel free to ask our informed staff for specifics.


Currently the Following Shakes Are Available.

Vita Syd: Pineapple Vita Coco*, Strawberries, Pineapple and Bananas.

Tom Tom: Vanilla Vegan Protein with Flax, Organic Strawberries and bananas, Local Honey and Vanilla Soy Milk

Red, White & Blue: Vanilla Vegan Protein with Flax, Organic Strawberries and Blueberries and vanilla Soy milk

Tropical Tapout: Vanilla Vegan Protein with Flax, organic strawberries, pineapple and bananas, oats and vanilla soy milk.

Kimura Kooler: Chocolate Vegan Protein with Flax, Vanilla soy milk, organic bananas, strawberries and fresh ground peanut butter. 

Also you can add any of the following ingredients.
Protein, Fresh Ground Peanut Butter, Fresh Fruit, Local Honey, Oats.

*Vita Coco, if you have not tried it yet, is a coconut based electrolyte/energy replenishment drink.  It is all natural with no sugar added and helps to cleanse the body after vigorous exercise as well as replenish the vital electrolytes lost during exercise.


-About USMMA 

USMMA focuses on elevating the physical and spiritual well being of students through Mixed Martial Arts and Yoga. Classes offered include Strength & Conditioning; Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Thai Boxing; Cardio Thai Boxing; Wrestling; Cardio and Open Mat; Kids Mixed Martial Arts; Pilates; Power Yoga and Deep Flow Yoga. USMMA’s state of the art, 4,000 square foot training facility is complete with a 2,000 square foot padded MMA training floor equipped with heavy bags and conditioning equipment, a 1,500 square foot yoga studio, locker rooms, showers and a juice bar. USMMA is located at 316 Hartford Avenue in Bellingham. For more information, call 508-966-5006 or visit their website at www.usmma.org

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