bushido_man96

Learning to cook isn't so bad. I hate to cook, but can do it from time to time. Get a cook book, and try out some easy recipies first, then as you get better, try more complex things (kind of like the Martial Arts...). Perhaps you'll end up taking over the cooking duties of the house, and help everyone eat a bit better....

That's really it: outputs must be greater than inputs. So, you can reduce your calorie intake and do the same things, eat the same things and increase your output (workload/exercise), or you can both increase your workout and decrease your caloric intake.

I've heard some say its good to sweat out a cold. I don't know if this is true or not, so don't take my advise on it. But, if you would choose to train while sick, do it solo, so as not to infect others. I do agree that rest is probably the best way to get it through your system.

Well, here's the thing: a good personal trainer will go to you and adapt to your goals and any injuries you might have or develop, P90X cannot. Further, P90X costs a $140 (including shipping). If you knew a good personal trainer, they might be willing to develop a workout system you can do in your living room with what you have available to you for $50-60. And I'd surprised if KF didn't have more than one certified personal trainer. I just offered it as a suggestion. I know there are other good resources out there, too. Just one suggestion.

And, I'm back. Hopefully... 6/9/2011 Use-of-force training: 1:00 - 3:00 pm. With sim rounds for the department. Good time! Learned some stuff, and have some things I noted to myself to work on. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Pretty much a black belt class. We did Chon Ji hyung through Jung Gun hyung (7 forms total), plus 4 black belt basic sets. Stretch: splits, left and right, seated straddle, quads, hip flexors. My legs felt strong at class, especially in the stances. All that squatting is paying off. I felt more connected through my core and to the floor. My legs did fatigue, though, too. I think that will adjust soon, too. 6/10/2011 SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 115x5, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2 work: 210x5x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 95x5, 125x3, 135x2 work: 165x5x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 65x5x2, 85x3 work: 105x5x5 Stretch: standing quads, bar side kicks. 6/12/2011 Stretch: butterfly, glutes, hamstrings, toe touches, all seated on a bench. 6/13/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 115x5, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2 work: 215x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 55x3, 65x5 work: 85x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 65x5x2, 105x3, 125x2 work: 200x5 Stretch: standing quads, standing toe touches, butterfly, glutes, reverse hurdler, sit and reach, hip flexors, front and side kick bar stretches. 6/14/2011 Pre class: Black belt basics 1-4, Se Jong. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Basics, form, assisted with one-steps, and got thrown to the wolves to spar 3 on 1; me vs. 3 kids. Intimidation is a reliable tool. Stretch: splits, left and right, butterfly, glutes, frog stretches, sit and reach. Felt really terrible this night.

Welcome to the Forums.

Welcome to KF, Paul.

Welcome to KF, Chris!

Welcome to KF!

I agree, as well. The other things they may ask, for you to give up your weapon, I won't do that either. Nothing good will happen after that.

We do what I would refer to as elbow strikes after the initial movement. They are referred to as punches over the shoulder, but I prefer the elbow strikes coming back. Also, if one of those arms are still up there, then you can grab that arm using that elbow strike/punching motion, and work from there.

This could be the practice depending on the set up of the organization that he is under, and that you are likely under. If it were me, I don't know that I would teach under those circumstances. That is, unless he is covering some of your expenses, as well.

6/1/2011 SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 105x4, 125x2; work: 190x5x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 115x3, 135x2; work: 155x5x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 65x5, 5; work: 95x5x5 6/3/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 105x5, 135x3, 155x2; work: 195x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2; work: 75x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 65x5, 85x4, 105x3; work: 160x5 6/4/2011 Light stretches in the seated split position. 6/6/2011 SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 85x5, 125x5, 165x3, 2; work: 200x5x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 95x5, 125x3, 135x2; work: 160x5x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 65x5, 5; work: 100x5x5 I was pretty jacked up about hitting 200 for reps on squats. Its feeling heavier, but I am still making all my sets. Also tested body fat and BMI: Body fat: 31.2% BMI: 38.6 Weight: 254 lbs -- still holding steady here. 6/7/2011 TKD Taught Little Lions: 5:15 - 5:45, working on balance (and generally keeping the kids in line). Taught TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. In between the classes, I did Chon Ji through Yul Guk hyungs. Stretch: seated splits moving left, right, and center; butterfly, glutes, reverse hurdler. 6/8/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 115x5, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2; work: 205x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 65x3, 2; work: 80x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 65x5, 5, 105x3, 125x2; work: 180x5 Afternoon stretch: standing quad, front and side kick bar stretches, shoulder dislocations. Evening stretch: seated splits, moving left, right, center; butterfly, glutes, flying side kick stretch, reverse hurdler, seated quads, hip flexors.

That may be, but it also has the luxury of being able to do the workout at home, without hiring a personal trainer or driving to the gym. If someone likes to work out at home, then it would probably be a good fit, if they want to pay for it.

You're welcome. Let me know how it works out for you.

Training alone is hard to do. But, I would say to stick with it, and don't let yourself get down. Shizentai made very good points. Even if you only work yourself for a half hour a day, you can find various ways to mix things up and keep it interesting for yourself. Putting out an ad for training partners isn't a bad way to go, either. There may be someone like you nearby that is looking for the same thing. Best of luck to you, and keep your focus.

I think this is a driving force behind a lot of people that start taking Martial Arts. It was a goal I had at first, for sure. But, as I kept with it, I found, as many others have as well, that it isn't all about that black belt (although it is a fantastic goal and achievement). It becomes about the pursuit itself; the journey. The big thing to me is being able to see beyond the black belt, and that its worth continuing on after reaching that goal. I think those that really wanted to do it would still have done it. Look at styles like Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA gyms; no belts there, but they still have many practitioners. I'm not sure how much the stigma of the black belt is responsible for bringing in new students, but I'm sure it is somewhat responsible. But, when you look at the number that start compared to the percentage that stick it out, it must not be that much of a driving force.

Congrats!

Does Wing Chun spar much, or do they do more of the sticking hands exercises for their sparring?

If I remember correctly, the number 9 is quite significant/important to the Korean's. It makes since that the ATA would honor that by having a 9 belt system. Yes, Bob, that is correct. The ATA did a lot of things with the number nine, like the number of colored belt forms, the first one having 18 moves, 1st dan having 81 moves, and things like that. They wanted to do Korean cultural symbolism and the like.Doesn't the Songahm Star also reflect the number 9 very well? One has to respect that, and surely do. 81 moves in a form is a lot. Gojushiho only has 54 steps, as the name implies, and in many, many Karate styles, Gojushiho is their longest kata. Yeah, Bob, that's right. The Star is also a philosophical emblem in the ATA as well. Its basically the embusen (hope that's right) of all the ATA forms, and they follow on the pattern of the Star. If we get hooked up, I've got some books on it that lay it out. Yeah, 81 moves is a long form. I was always out of breath when I was done.

Yes. Do this. It appears that you preceive that you lack adequate time to train. So, do this. Go buy a day planner, and carry it with you ALL THE TIME. Write in it on the times and days that you do ANYTHING. No matter what it is. Write down what time you wake up. When you eat. When you watch TV. When your various appointments are. When you take time to read, or play a game, or go to school classes, etc. Do this for a few weeks if you can. While doing this, you should begin to see time frames shake out that you can use towards training. You might have to give up a few hours per week of video game time, or TV, or something like that, but you will start to see how much time you do have that you COULD put towards training. From there, search out a school that is within some travel constraints and the time frames you have available, and GET STARTED. I call this a schedule audit; you look to see what you do, when you do it, and what you can cut to add in something else. Give it a try.

I don't like the gear we wear in our TKD class; the chest protector changes the way I move and block when I spar without it. As far as training with or without gear goes, its important to do both, and lift or levie restraints according to how much you wear. RedMan suit? Pound away. Cloth hand and foot gear, maybe back the contact levels down a bit. I think its important to do both. I don't think I know what the magic mix is, though.

I think you make an interesting point, JusticeZero, and I think "change" in this instance is a better word choice than "evolve." In order to evolve, things are established and then grow from each other; like BJJ from JJJ and Judo. But with TKD and Taekyon, the level of seperation between the two is quite a bit greater; there actually seems to be a void between two. So change fits here, I think. Whether this is the case or not with TKD, we will likely never know. But, its a good point to theorize from.

My current instructor started his training under the GM of our organization when he went to college. I think he took it as a college credit to begin with. It went on from there.

Everthing in moderation, even moderation. I agree! I tend to moderate more between the meals than during the meals. That counts, right?