What prompted you to start exercising?
My son Bryan and daughter Laura were attending classes at the Korean Martial Arts Institute, or KMAI. I watched Bryan go through the program and earn a black belt, then Laura began the program in fall 2003. Six months later, Master Rob Kloss began offering a low-impact karate program -- called the executive class -- to people over 30 years old, and encouraged many of the parents to join. I was hesitant at first, but another parent, Christine Held, asked me to join with her and I did. We have became very close friends and cohorts throughout this whole process, and hopefully will be earning our black belts together in February, along with her son Jamie and my daughter Laura. What are you hoping to achieve?
I went into this with the expectation that I would regain some movement and help myself heal from two accidents I had in 2001. The first was a work-related injury involving a special-needs child, the second was an auto accident that left me with three compressed discs in my neck. Rehab wasn't working and I was suffering from a lot of pain, including migraine headaches. I knew I had to do something, and since I was at the karate studio almost every weeknight with the kids, I thought I would give it a try. What has been the best part?
The best part is that I am healing. I can turn my head to the left now, and I am getting so strong. In the first six months of the program, I dropped two clothing sizes, even though I gained two pounds (of muscle, I guess). I switched out of the executive class and into the regular curriculum, and am now jumpkicking and sparring. I feel great and have so much more energy. I just want to tell everybody about it! What has been the worst part?
The worst part is, there are times when you are tired and you don't want to get motivated to go. But because we have requirements and a regular belt-testing schedule every three months, I go and then feel so good once we get started. The people are great there, too, so it's kind of like a little social time for me. Also, I was very guarded at first because I was afraid I would hurt myself worse, but the staff at KMAI worked with my limitations and let me go at my own pace until we knew when and how I could push a little harder. What keeps you motivated?
I love the way I feel, and how strong my body has become. I know I am going to need intense exercise in order to stay healthy and keep the headaches from coming back. The bonus of earning a black belt I never thought I would achieve isn't bad either.
How do you find the time?
Time is like money. You have to invest some to make some. The more I invest in working out at KMAI, the more energy I have. The more energy I have, the more I am able to do in a day. So in a way, I get so much more done now than when I was sitting home feeling bad. It is very empowering to get up and tell life the way it's going to be instead of letting life just always happen to you. When I was working as an educational diagnostician with the Christina School District, it was very stressful. So I left the job and simplified my life. Today, I have two very fun jobs I love and I do karate.
What advice do you have for people considering an exercise program?
Do something fun -- something you can throw yourself into and hold yourself accountable. Fitness centers didn't always work for me; I belonged to two nice ones and never went. Karate works for me. Also, pursue something with a friend so you can push each other. |
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