How to begin Training

[HunLi]

Hey guys, just recently found this site online and love it so far.

I just have a few questions.

I have recently found out of XMA and would like to start training, but am currently overweight and somewhat out of shape.

I was wondering where to begin so that before I actually start learning, I may be prepared.

Things like losing weight and gaining muscles, stretches. Anything that would help would be greatly Appreciated.

I am 180 and 5'7", I run about 20 minutes a day, but over a mile, and do pull ups and push ups, and also sit ups.

Any other tips and suggestions?

[pineapple]

I was wondering where to begin so that before I actually start learning, I may be prepared.

Things like losing weight and gaining muscles, stretches. Anything that would help would be greatly Appreciated.

Any other tips and suggestions?

Don't try to get in shape for martial arts training, train in martial arts to get in shape. In other words, just start training!

[HunLi]

Thanks, but is there anything I should do?

like stretches. Muscle building?

Anything?

[JusticeZero]

Yes. Go to class and practice the material they show you. Seriously. Just start. You'll get your "preparations" as you learn it.

[pineapple]

A good class will teach you how to stretch and will have you doing strength building exercises.

[Ninjitsu]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't XMA have a lot of Jump kicks and spins? It might not be so easy if your overweight.

[elbows_and_knees]

everything has basics... you don't begin doing jump spin kicks, I'm sure. By the time he reaches such a level, he may have his weight under control.

[Ryokeen]

I've seena 220 lb XMA'r do things I beleived he couldn't do, axe2ariels, all kinds of things.. You'll loose wieght buy ONLY drinking water. This is the easiest way to loose some wieght without really dieting. You'll also loose wieght in your XMA class if you try hard. You'll need to for it.

[Menjo]

Exaclty what everyone else said, also eat healthy of course

[curtis_belliveau]

Eat more food...

Seriously though, when people try to lose weight they have a tendacy to cut back on their food intake thinking that less food will make then burn fat faster. In reality, cutting back on your food intake can cause your body to become catabolic and makes it less likely to burn excess calories if you are training hard.

The best thing you can do is eat a tonne of fruit (banannas, kiwis, oranges, apples, mangos ect.), a lot of high protien low fat meat (chicken breast, lean beef, tuna), lots of whole wheat bread, cottage cheese, and egg whites. When I was trying to get in shape i mad ethe mistake of cutting back on food intake and after a month and a half i lost 5 pounds and put on no strength. When i upped my food intake i lost 25 pounds in three months along with raising my bench press 45 pounds.

this wasnt doing martial arts though; this was training in a gym and running.