[quote=Beta]
This is seeming like more and more trouble by the minute, and seeming like my character is going to be a punching bag because he doesn't "prep" things, but reacts reflexively to pretty much 90% of things.Most discouraging.
[/quote]

In that sense you prep the idea that he will react reflexively to something. You call it prepping for counter-attack if defending, or prepping in anticipation of contact if attacking.