My Exercise Routine Helped Me Lose 60 Pounds This Year
I have been lucky enough to get my fat body moving before it was too late. By discovering an exercise program (karate) that my children also enjoy, I do not neglect spending time with them, but feel a closer tie to them. Through exercise I managed to lose 60 pounds this year.
In the last year I have lost 60 lbs through exercise and studying Karate and Muay Thai. I wish I could say that I have been watching what I eat, but the answer is no. As a matter of fact since I have started studying Karate and working out more, I eat about twice the amount of food than I normally do.
When I started Karate I was close to 285 lbs. My belly was overlapping my 42 inch pants and I was grossly over weight. I didn’t think I was, but deep down I knew I was.
Joining Karate was important to me. As a kid I used to watch other kids doing it, but knew that it was too expensive for my family. When I was 18 I joined the Navy and I ‘never had time’ for Karate. So now here I was 40 years old, thinking that I was too old for Karate. But as I watched some of the adults currently in Karate, I discovered that it was just not for kids. I saw a man 70 years old doing cartwheels and tumbles ( a 3rd degree black belt that started when he was 50)! I saw other older men who was doing amazing things in the dojo. I had no more excuses!
As soon as I signed up for karate with my children (I have three daughters) I found out that the physical requirements for black belt rank was to run 3 miles in 30 minutes, 60 push ups and 100 sit-ups. Not to mention all of the other physical activities that goes along with it (kick, punches, etc…). I knew I had to get in shape. If I wanted to lead by example and make this karate adventure a success with my children, I would have to do it.
I started working out everyday doing one hour of aerobic activity during lunch. At first it was just to ride the stationary bike for an hour, then walking on the treadmill for an hour. After about 3 months I could jog slowly for an hour or do the elliptical for an hour. After about 6 months I conjured on of my greatest fears – I used the stairmaster for an hour. Now after one year on karate and physical activity I can run on the treadmill or climb briskly on the stairmaster for an hour. Currently I alter what piece of exercise equipment I use for an hour. This helps me to avoid burnout. My goal is always to do one hour a day.
On top of this lunch time workout I was at karate for an hour on Monday and Wednesday nights with my children. We were also attending on Saturday mornings for karate and Kubudo classes. Karate is perhaps the hardest workout I have ever experienced (and I have 20 years military experience). Every class is 100 push ups, 100 sit ups and very high intensity work out. My Sensei is 20 years old and a very intense person that I owe a great deal to.
After about 9 months of training with my Sensei I was down to 240 lbs and feeling great. I decided to add something else to martial arts portfolio – Muay Thai kickboxing. Since my children and I were going to karate on Mondays and Wednesdays, I found myself waiting while my children were completing their class. At this time there was a Muay Thai class for adults that looked like a lot of fun. I signed up that also.
So now after one year of Karate, 3 months of Muay Thai, and an hour of physical activity every day I have gone down to 230 pounds. I had my blood work done and my blood pressure and triglycerides are actually better than they were when I was 18 years old and I joined the navy.
The best thing about my exercise program is that this has not been a diet or a ‘get thin quick scheme’. It means so much more to me that this has been through hard work and been accomplished with my family. Hopefully it has taught my daughters that accomplishing something through hard work is more meaningful than something that is not.
I know there will be critics that are reading this and saying that they don’t have time to implement this type of exercise program. However, let me tell you that you do have time. My wife and I both work demanding full time jobs, we are managing a house of three daughters, and I am completing my dissertation for my PhD. By including my including my exercise program with my daughters, I do not feel that I am missing any time with them, but it is strengthening my ties with them. Push-ups every morning take only 5 minutes, so there is always time.
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