I figured since I've been gone for a while, I owed this community something. I've been a big part of it in the past, I'm back to be a big part of it now. Here's a little article for your viewing pleasure. (it may be in pieces because of how busy I may be, so if it seems incomplete, just check back later)
What martial arts has done for me ... and maybe can do for you!
One day last year, on a cold saturday morning, I woke up earlier than normal for some reason. Stepping into the bathroom in order to take a shower, I stopped in front of the full sized mirror that my wife had me install the weekend before. As I was looking at myself, I really became disgusted. I decided to step on the scale, a common household item that I avoided like the plague. 283 it read. I just shook my head. I weighed 226 when I met my future wife, and I had really let myself go. It was at that moment, I decided that I had to make changes in my day to day life.
I had already lost weight once. I lost over 50 lbs in my early 20's, so losing weight wasn't any mystifying process. Something was different on this attempt though, the desire I had before wasn't there. I knew I had to do it, I just didn't have the drive. Then one night my 11 year old stepson came to me and told me he wanted to start practicing karate. I took him to his first class the next night. The instructor must have seen the interest in the class that night, because he invited me to bring some gym clothes to the next class. I did, and it was all downhill from there.
My first actual martial arts class , being a 280 lb clumsy oaf must have been so funny to watch. My instructor (sensei) was patient with me and my stepson, constantly fixing our stances, correcting our hand positions for our techniques, and I was having a blast! I absolutely loved it. I learned my first kata (taikyoku shodan , or first cause #1), I really thought I had accomplished something. After a few classes, I started studying martial arts history and philosophy at home. When I was in the gym, I found the desire I once had for working out was back! I wanted to be in the best shape I could in order to increase my proficiency in my art.
To be continued.
What martial arts has done for me ... and maybe can do for you!
One day last year, on a cold saturday morning, I woke up earlier than normal for some reason. Stepping into the bathroom in order to take a shower, I stopped in front of the full sized mirror that my wife had me install the weekend before. As I was looking at myself, I really became disgusted. I decided to step on the scale, a common household item that I avoided like the plague. 283 it read. I just shook my head. I weighed 226 when I met my future wife, and I had really let myself go. It was at that moment, I decided that I had to make changes in my day to day life.
I had already lost weight once. I lost over 50 lbs in my early 20's, so losing weight wasn't any mystifying process. Something was different on this attempt though, the desire I had before wasn't there. I knew I had to do it, I just didn't have the drive. Then one night my 11 year old stepson came to me and told me he wanted to start practicing karate. I took him to his first class the next night. The instructor must have seen the interest in the class that night, because he invited me to bring some gym clothes to the next class. I did, and it was all downhill from there.
My first actual martial arts class , being a 280 lb clumsy oaf must have been so funny to watch. My instructor (sensei) was patient with me and my stepson, constantly fixing our stances, correcting our hand positions for our techniques, and I was having a blast! I absolutely loved it. I learned my first kata (taikyoku shodan , or first cause #1), I really thought I had accomplished something. After a few classes, I started studying martial arts history and philosophy at home. When I was in the gym, I found the desire I once had for working out was back! I wanted to be in the best shape I could in order to increase my proficiency in my art.
To be continued.
