Ryokeen

I'm not confident enough in myself to say I'ma martial artist. I've been at it 4-5 years. I'm a yellow belt. I'm going to start training A LOT with a redbelt and my sensei Mono y Mono. I was persuaded to join the arts origionally because well frankly I watched the Power Rangers a lot. I also watched Walker Texas Ranger and all the MA tournements on T.V that I could. Eventually I started looking up Biographies on many famous martial artists and Christmas 2001, my 9th dan Sensei gave me a free uniform and invited me to study with him and a few other students. Apparently, I have great potential, but I'm the laziest kid soemtimes and it bugs me to death. Anyways! Staying on topic... I'd say Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and those Power Rangers got me into this.

I am the kind of guy where when I do something I'll do it to the extreme.. for a while... and then kind of let myself go. There will be days when I do such an amazing routine that I feel soo good about myself and then there are other days when i just listen to music all day... and MAYBE work in the garden. Does anyone have any tips on keeping to your meal plans and training plans? I've let myself go and I've lost about 6lbs of muscle... and gained some chub. I'm still skinny, but skinny with fat AND muscle. I know what to do very well. I've done my research very clearly and I knwo exactly what'll be best for my size and body type, I just need to stay motivated. Thank you! Aaron

Thank you all for the tips and suggestions. This will be very useful. I'll keep you all updated in my profile. Thanks for your time and information. -Aaron

Personaly 1 and a half years seems to quick for me. I would much rather have a good understanding of all I was doing before I got my blackbelt. I'd assume that starting at a reasonable age 2-4 years would be good. Then again some learn quicker it all depends. Unless you're rather good 1 and a half years a promised black belt sounds fishy.

We're a competition team, in real competition if you try to not hurt someone to an extent they'll notice and try to make you second guess yourself. Trust me I got hit in the face A LOT until my 2 friend started training with me and I got more comfortable with hitting people. I've done a spinning roundhouse kick to my friends open head. It was open, I'm not going to go easy on him because he's a smaller kid (13 maybe 5 feet if he's lucky 5'2). He needs to toughen up and he needs to get hit as a reminder that in competiton if it's open, it's going to get hit... In essence you're helping them, while helping yourself. It works out prety well. Hit them hard enough they feel it but not where they get any severe bruises. If they're in martial arts expecting to not get bruised up then they need to rethink the situation. I have this close friend, since the 1st grade, and we don't ease up on eachother. I try to keep it toned down so I don't really hurt him, but we do hit eachother like we would if we were in a real fight or sparring in competition. He won't hold back and niether will I. He's knocked me sensless a few times, and I've knocked the wind out of him on several occasions. Don't worry as I said you're helping eachother. Best of luck! -Aaron

There are some exersizes that will make you stronger, but only to a certain degree and then you'll be stuck where you are now. Pushups, Crunches ect will only get you so far. But they can get you pretty dang far if you are strict about it. (Btw what school do you go to for your MA classes; and do you compete a lot? I'm from Mansfield, was woundering if you were going to any tournements coming up soon.) Anyways, you could essentially do 100's of pushups sit ups and work kicking and punching routines and stretch to gain your muscle. I am HIGHLY discouraged by my instructor to use weights. When he was at the top of his game he looked like he lifted weights daily, but intruth has never lifted a single weight. It is possible, but you have to be insane to do it and you have to be on very strict measures. From the time he got off work, 'till 9:00 (aprox 2-3 hours) He would have done 900 pushups. Daily he'd train in his Dojo and work his legs and techniques inadvertively. A lot of people will tell you you HAVE to, without any doubt, lift but in truth, you'll naturaly get stonger by doing more and more gradually. If you truely want to use weights then orion82698 and Aodhan know what they're talking about. Best of luck either way. Do your forms repeatedly and do your best to copy how an upperank or blackbelt would do the forms. Low to the ground, and make everytechnique count. Continually work on it and you'll get a bit stronger. However, you're going to have to start being more focused on your training. I wake up at 5:30 do a light workout until 6:00 hop in the shower clean up, do my daily routine, talk online (lol) and then I head off to school. Just go to bed sooner. Again best of luck, Aaron

I see, So that means any and all muscle I do get will have to be the normal, long, and seemingly harder way. Because of my age, I can't exactly lift heavy, as I am still going through growth and developement. And I can't find a "local" gymnastics place. The closest (I could find) would be rather far away, and would mean my parents would have to go out of there way 5 days/week. It would be perfect as they have a class just for my needs but again, it's rather far away and I don't want to force my ride to take me there as well as my martial arts class 5 days a week. Oh, Fishsticks. Oh well, I could always learn that the hardway too. -Aaron (( P.S. I live in Mansfield, Ohio. ))

See my signature. Ahh, good luck with that. I need to put on about 15 lbs of muscle. That won't be to easy either. I've got to really change everything around. it's harder than i thought it would be. Good luck with everything, Keep us up to date. -Aaron

I'm looking to gain 15 lbs of muscle, not mass, but muscle. I know I'll gain some mass that's only natural, but I'd like 15lbs fo solid muscle growth. Right now I'm 120lbs at around 7% bodyfat. Bassically a skinny kid having the most muscle in my legs. I need to set some goals, any ideas? Also is there a certain way I should go about this so I don't get much mass but the muscle? Obviously I won't be lifting heavy or anythign like that. Acrobatics are in my plans for the future as well. So keep that in mind. I'd like to be about 135 lbs 6-8% body fat. Thanks in advanced, Aaron

I looked, for a few days now, sorry. No such luck in finding it. But i'll keep looking and if I do I will tell you. I didn't forget about it, just haven't seen it.

-I trick myself into thinking my house is haunted until I know it as fact, even though it isn't. - I'm afraid of aliens I always make sure there's not one behind me. ( My girlfriend is the same way. She once mistaked a big green christmas light for a spaceship anf was freaking out.. but I must say I've done it before too.) -Mirrors too scare me... lol That's about it.

Thanks a lot, Turns out we have plenty of Chicken? Working on it we have 2-3 pakages. Roast beef, would that be clean? I'm assuming it is. Just curious though... Again, Thanks you guys are very helpful. Aaron

Also, watch the website. It's an 18+ atleast website. Language and refernce to sexual themes.

Against all odds is a woudnerful book. I suggest if you have any intrest in inspirational, somewhat religeously eye opening books, or just any old intrest in Chuck to read it. He's done some truely amazing things to go from Carlos the poor kid, to Chuck Norris the superstar ish guy he is.

Okay sounds good! I'll expiriment and get back to you guys. I'll probably start the new diet with the new routine if not this Monday, next. I have to stock up on meats. And ofcourse cook them. No worries, I know how to cook, but if I don't post back in a week... Well let's just hope I don't burn my home down. Well thanks for everything guys. I'll keep you updated on my progress! -Aaron

It was in Discovery High Def. I'll look for the show on regular Discovery and I'll post the times. Just as soon as I'm awake, late night last night, haha!

Okay today at 1pm EST there was a special on the best places for martial arts. From the Phillipines to Korea. I was was watching with curiosity waiting for TKD to apear, and boy did it ever. It made me realize a lot of things. One being that any one of those 7 year olds could walk all over me. And two being that even with my teacher being as true to the old ways of the arts as he can, it fails to compare with what you can learn in South Korea. Anyways, did anyone else catch the special it was amazing. The kung Fu over there? Sheer brilliance. The Aikido, was awesome... they recorded some of the origional grandmasters grandson... he could predict the movements of his opponents just before or as they amde them. it was phenomenal.

Thanks a lot Orion. Thanks for the suggestions. Should I just increase my intake of everything slightly? Such as 10/12 oz of steak/chicken more vegitables and fruits? Also about the suppliments all I take as far as an aid would be the whey protien. Should I start taking maybe one or two others... I'd ratehr nto be hopped up on supplements, I'm kind fo skeptical of them kind of? I don't know just don't want to be on to many.. I know they're all natural. Oh well if it'll help I'll give it a shot. Thanks again Orion, I'll keep you up to date. Aaron

Those are excellent ideas as far as the blogs and records go. It keeps you encouraged and focused. I wish I was as smart about this as you are when I was trying to lose weight. I use to weigh close to 160, at 14 going on 15 that was horrible. Trust me not one ounce of it was muscle, except my abs. They have always been in top shape some how. Anyways it took me 1 year of trying with no success. Then I stumbled upon this and became more focused in my studies. Since I've lost 30 lbs and gain muscle mass. My body fat % went from the 20's to 10%. I use to be an avid computer gamer.. now I just use it to expand my knowledge in the arts and in tricking. I'm still on a lot, but simply studying. Martial arts helps drastically with the change from pop and pizza to chicken and fish. Oh but don't get me wrong I still enjoy getting some headshots on Battlefield 2 from time to time.

Makes a lot of sense. I know you can have bulk and speed, I just really would like to stay smaller if at all possible. I do look to compete often and I know some tournements will divide by Novice, intermediate, and expert; however, not only will they divide it like that but also by wieght class in some instances. being newer I'd like to stick with the lower weight. I use to think that bulk = slow. Then I met my friend, and he's 190lbs at 15, and boy did he ever surprise me. Now to figure out a plan, I 've done this a couple times... but the thing that bothers me is the whole school thing. I don't want to cram my meals together as the afternoon turns to evening. Also one more question, It pertains to Whey Protien. Should I use that to aid me with the protien part of my diet, but only as a secondary source before a serious work out or should I cut it out entirely and focus on my clean chicken, steak and fish? I've got a lot to learn, but I better start learning now if I want to try to make a career out of the arts. I have a strong disire to teach kids in a way that will change thier lifes in many aspects. I know it has mine and if I could make that difference in just a handful of kids lifes I can die knowing I did my part in bettering those kids lives and that will be amazing. Thanks again, Aaron.

Bassically what I want to do is go from 120.4 lbs to 135 lbs. I don't want to bulk up to much and I want to focus on density and speed. I already do pushups, and other density building exercises. I try to make every punch faster than the next and every kick faster than the last. My left arm and core need the most work. I can't seem to get my left arm to gain any segnificant muscle. Just recently it's started to show a slight change. I probably just need an increase in reps on that arm or perhaps in increase in the amount done. Oh and remember, there's more to the holidays then simply buying presents... So many people forget the true reason of the holidays and it's quite sadening. Anyways, Thanks in advanced! Aaron Grosch

I take a hybrid art. It's main influence is TKD, but it also has hints of Shorin-Ryu and Aikido. IN 2 fights my friend was in, it took 2 punches. End of story.

The whole "I'm so tough I can work my muscles daily" thing is a fraud. Anyone can do it; however, as mentioned it's horrible on the muscles. I use to think I was so tough doing those 1 handed pushups 'till I fell. Oh yeah big mistake. Now I'm back on track. A 40/40/20 diet sounds great for you. It's not to heavy on the carbs and fats and it's got just enough protien for you. I'd go with that idea. I'm still reading my nutrition books (2 college books, about 1300 pages total... keep in mind I'm 15 and there's a lot of information I have to further research.) However, this sounds like a great plan. Adding to the routine once a week 2-5 would be a good idea, until you reach a stopping point.. Then ofcourse stop, your body is your best guide in any workout, it knows when it can't take anymore. So don't make it. Best of luck my friend and keep us up to date, A. Grosch

I use to be Anit-Weightlifting as well. My sensei does not approve of it, however. I'm only using 25 lb dumbels, and my overal streagnth for my size is amazing. Kids 2 times my size underestimate me. In arm wrestling the biggest of football player struggles with getting me down, ofcourse... he does... eh benches 4x my weight.. lol. They also mess around with me thinking, "He's a stick" and they find out I'm not. Great face . J. Farnsworth (Who I look up to, a wounderfully blended fighter 2nd degree in Tae Kwon Do and 1st degree in the Kenpo System.) Is a smaller guy like myself, so he has the extra speed of being smaller. He started lifting weights and hasn't stopped since. It can be very beneficial, just remeber to mix the two. Don't JUST weight train or Isometrical and calisthenic excercises that would be bad. Keep it balanced and keep it within reasoning your goal is to get stronger... not so big you can't touch your shoulders, haha! Good luck! Aaron

Aodhan for member of the year. -Holds up a picket sign- Sounds like a plan, a VERY good plan. Oh and beleive me I've dabbled with that whole, "I can't do it, Idon't think I'll go today" ect thing a few times. I never thought of video taping, and looking for video recordings. I could even use that downstairs in my "Made up dojo". Just get out the tripod and run through my forms, point spar with some friends and what not. I'd be very naive if I didn't go to nationals, reginal, tri-state ect ect when at all possible. Limiting my self to those in Ohio won't show me all the talent possible; however there a quiet a few Masters in Ohio who produce amazing students, but there are also 1,000's of other schools out there each with thier own "secret weapon". I'll talk to my mom, and read up on proper nutrition for the physically active person. I have a 700 page(?) nutrition book that goes into detail on nutrition for every kind fo person. So I should probably read that. Seeing as how it has morer than any non-nutritionist would care to read... I think it's a book from OSU State for Nutritionists. Thanks for everything, Looking back at the post I already feel dumb... -Aaron