I’ve never participated in an organized sport, or had a coach or have ever considered myself to be an “athlete” of any kind, until three months ago that is. So it was exhilarating and terrifying when I found myself enrolling for an entire year at a boxing gym. I’m not talking about Billy Blanks Tae Bo or kick boxing, this is the REAL DEAL, Muhammed Ali “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” boxing.
Lets go over the first thing you’d learn in a boxing gym; how to wrap your hands. This simple step may seem unnecessary, but it actually supports your wrists and protects your knuckles. I actually prefer my hands to be wrapped when doing push ups and mountain climber type exercises because of the added support, if you haven’t tried this you should try it!
First, put your thumb through the loop and wrap around your wrist twice. Take the wrap across from thumb to the side of your pinky.
Now wrap between your pinky and index finger three times around. Remember to keep your fingers and thumb spread apart so you can get a tight wrap.
Next, wrap over your thumb from the finger side to the wrist side and around your wrist once more. 
Keeping your fingers spread, wrap between each finger ending on the same wide of the wrist each time.
Finish off by criss-cross alternating just below the fingers then around the wrist until you have a little less than a foot left.
Wrap tightly around your wrist and velcro to finish. It should feel tight and secure, not so tight that its cutting off circulation.
Now you’re ready to go! Slip your gloves on and start throwing those ones and twos.
The decision to box has actually been a hard one for me. I tend to gravitate toward interests that come naturally to me (remember how athletic I not), then I get down on myself when I’m not picking things up quick enough (all while getting popped in the face because my hands aren’t up to protect it, argh!). I also HATE being yelled at and that seems to be a coaching style, either that or I’m the most sensitive person ever (maybe a combination of both.)
Apparently I still have lots of work to do in these areas because feeling like a disappointment on any level, is almost unbearable. I’m working really hard on trying to feel okay about my progress thus far and accepting that good things come with time and lots of practice.
Sometimes I wonder why I’m doing this again? Oh yeah, because sometimes I need a fun exercise regimen, a lot more excitement in my life, and the desire to push myself physically and emotionally harder than I’ve ever thought possible. Then theres the added bonus of getting to punch other people in the face.