I listened to a podcast yesterday about the paradox of being overweight in martial arts.
( Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio Episode 303 )
I didn't know what direction it was going to go and I listened with an open mind. I sorta, kinda agreed with the information as much as it goes against the Martialista spirit of inclusion for all, but I understand his POV for sure. Not to mention I believe Mr. Lesniak was primarily talking about leaders and instructors who have been doing martial arts for their career as opposed to newbies like me who just wandered into a dojang to try it out for the first time.
And yes, you will have to listen to the podcast to know what I'm talking about :) Its less than 15 min long.
Walking into a class where I was the biggest (and almost oldest) student was something that I just had to push through. There were times I almost gave up thinking that there was no way my body could do what martial arts expected of me. But then one day, I saw a blackbelt class demo and there was a larger, female blackbelt in there with everyone else, doing her thing, holding her own, and honestly, THAT is what kept me going. I didn't know this woman and I didn't even tell her how she inspired me until almost 2 years later. Now we follow each other on social media and we support each other's journey to this day.
Once I knew in my heart that I wasn't just "trying" martial arts, that it was a part of who I am and that I wanted to inspire and encourage (and maybe someday teach) others, I felt in my heart that I DID need to get in shape and push myself to do all the things that my severely overweight (ok, obese) body was stopping me from doing. Thus began my weight loss and strength training push that I have been working on since August 2017.
As of yesterday, I have dropped 60 lbs and I am going strong!
LEFT PIC -Oct 2016 , Mighty River Classic, my first tournament as a student of Dragon Brand MA @dbmartialarts. I had been training for 2 years already but humbly started over as a white belt.
RIGHT PIC- May 2018, Recommended Blackbelt. Just 3 months until my black belt test!
My gi is way too big for me now & I had to wrap it around myself with lots of fabric to spare!
50 lbs down, about halfway where I want to be but I am feeling good about my progress!
White will never be my favorite color, but I've gotten to be a little more comfortable in it ;)
( Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio Episode 303 )
I didn't know what direction it was going to go and I listened with an open mind. I sorta, kinda agreed with the information as much as it goes against the Martialista spirit of inclusion for all, but I understand his POV for sure. Not to mention I believe Mr. Lesniak was primarily talking about leaders and instructors who have been doing martial arts for their career as opposed to newbies like me who just wandered into a dojang to try it out for the first time.
And yes, you will have to listen to the podcast to know what I'm talking about :) Its less than 15 min long.
Walking into a class where I was the biggest (and almost oldest) student was something that I just had to push through. There were times I almost gave up thinking that there was no way my body could do what martial arts expected of me. But then one day, I saw a blackbelt class demo and there was a larger, female blackbelt in there with everyone else, doing her thing, holding her own, and honestly, THAT is what kept me going. I didn't know this woman and I didn't even tell her how she inspired me until almost 2 years later. Now we follow each other on social media and we support each other's journey to this day.
Once I knew in my heart that I wasn't just "trying" martial arts, that it was a part of who I am and that I wanted to inspire and encourage (and maybe someday teach) others, I felt in my heart that I DID need to get in shape and push myself to do all the things that my severely overweight (ok, obese) body was stopping me from doing. Thus began my weight loss and strength training push that I have been working on since August 2017.
As of yesterday, I have dropped 60 lbs and I am going strong!
LEFT PIC -Oct 2016 , Mighty River Classic, my first tournament as a student of Dragon Brand MA @dbmartialarts. I had been training for 2 years already but humbly started over as a white belt.
RIGHT PIC- May 2018, Recommended Blackbelt. Just 3 months until my black belt test!
My gi is way too big for me now & I had to wrap it around myself with lots of fabric to spare!
50 lbs down, about halfway where I want to be but I am feeling good about my progress!
White will never be my favorite color, but I've gotten to be a little more comfortable in it ;)
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2015 vs 2018
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