AWKWARD ZOMBIE

Haha, Hajime no Ippo is actually what piqued my interest in it. Then I watched The Fighter, and that made me like it more so I started actually watching some matches and now I like the sport. And yea, I figured I'd need to do both, I was just making sure. Thanks.

Ever since a few months ago I've been considering getting into archery. Anyone know enough about it to give pointers as what I should know?

First step is figuring out what your dominant eye is, beyond that I don't remember much.

I did archery in the 7th grade. I was pretty good at it too. We got to go to state finals which was cool, but I choked and shot terribly that day.

Syobon is right, find out your dominant eye first. You can google how to do that. It's easy, but kind of hard to explain via text. Hopefully your dominant eye is that same as your dominant hand, or else you'll have to shoot with your off hand.

Are you wanting to get into recurve or compound shooting?

I already know my dominant eye and it's not the same as my dominant hand.

I do not know the difference between recurve and compound shooting (yet).

Recurve is with just a standard bow, compound is more technologically advanced and usually has a sight on it. Recurves are generally harder to pull back as well.

When I did archery, we shot with compounds, but with no sights on them. I'd recommend learning to shoot without sights.

Some quicktips:
1. Pull back with three fingers below the arrow. Some people like to shoot with one finger above it and two below, which isn't that bad, but it causes you to kinda grip the back of the arrow so it may not be as accurate.
2. If the arrow keeps coming off the notch while you're pulling back, then that means you're death gripping it. You've got your fingers too far up the string.
3. With natural shooting (not using sights) your thumb is your indicator of distance. I can't remember the exact distance, but if you pull back and line your thumb with your eye, then it will be accurate at short distance, and if you pull back with your thumb lined up with your mouth it will be accurate at longer distances. And the nose is for mid distances.
4. Don't wear loose clothing. Especially unzipped jackets. They'll get caught in the compound mechanism. If you're shooting recurve though you can wear whatever you want.
5. Never pull back and fire without an arrow. Dry firing will destroy the bow.
6. Make sure your arm that you hold the bow with is off to the side. It hurts pretty badly to have the string scrape your arm when you release.
7. I never had this problem, but some people do. Don't lower your bow until your shot has landed. A lot of people on my old archery team lowered too early and it caused their aim to be off.


That's all I can think of right now. Since your dominant eye is different, you'll need an offhand bow. It'll be weird shooting with it at first, but you'll get used to it.

Over the past couple months I've lost a few pounds, around 5-6 since I've been at uni
It's not much to write home about but the fact that I wasn't really trying and it's the first time in ages that my weight's actually changed makes me feel pretty good

Currently I'm halfway through the C25K program and I'm feeling amazing; I was gasping and out of breath after every workout on the first week since I rarely (if ever) exerted myself in the past but now I can run for a good 5 minutes straight with no probs

I'm just

really proud about this ok

UH OH GETTIN' SOMMA DAT CHUBB

I guess it's warm enough to start running outside again and-

OH WAIT SHIT I'M SUPER OUT OF SHAPE AND START WHEEZING AFTER A COUPLE BLOCKS

It's kind of frustrating to be this out of shape and trying to start up again, but it's my own fault I guess

gotta go fast

May I suggest you getting a solid interval running build-up schedule? We'll have you running a 10k in no time.

Tabata intervals, or some other kind?

You could try out the Couch to 5k progression.

All kinds of high intensity interval training really mostly makes you a stronger sprinter, while you really want to train yourself for endurance. You're looking for something that has you run for a few minutes, walk for a minute and then running again. Some quick googling around shows this for example, which seems decent enough.

Another good option would be to get/buy an app that tells you what to do. Personally I've had a lot of fun with Zombies, Run.

I'll probably try intervals like that, then. unfortunately, I don't have a smartphone so I can't really do anything with apps

I'm trying to lose weight doing the usual eating healthier, portion control, exercise, etc. Do you eventually stop feeling crazy hungry midday?

Actually yes! I used to starve if I didn't bring a snack to eat on my break I take before my lunch break later in the day, and now I sometimes forget to bring a lunch or anything entirely and still feel fine hahaha. (I don't recommend what I am doing but yes the body does adjust to lowered food intake over time.)