Get Fit

For years "get fit" has been my motto and often my password (thought up to motivate me...), so October 6th I finally started going to Martial Arts World with Thomas. Of course I was also motivated by guilt that I had promised him last spring that we would start going after baseball season had concluded. He had to wait for Scott's wedding and receptions to be over, then for me to recover from that lovely tonsillectomy...finally his patience wore out and he used the youngest child guilt on his old Mom. I had so much fun I was hooked at the first class. It soon became apparent that being one of the very oldest at the school, I needed to get clearance from my family physician, my cardiologist, my knee surgeon, and in the process I met up with a wellness physician. All told me to go for it. Roy had told me years ago that I should just work through the pain. This time I did and have found that my knees are now much stronger. But those first few times, when I couldn't even keep up with the basics in class, I knew that I had neglected this mortal body way too long!

The Gym was Lonely
Even though Dennis and I would arrive and leave from the gym together, I didn't see him much while we were there. I'd take a book, or a podcast with me, but it isn't the same as having people to work out with. Occasionally I'd splash into a water aerobics class, but none of the classes at the gym fit into my schedule. Now I usually go to class with at least one of my children, and I have the bonus of having a bunch of new friends that encourage me to do my best and work hard. I thought it would take years to get to a point where I was comfortable with exercise again, but surprisingly I found that the martial arts not only didn't make me sore like other exercise, I became stronger noticeably quickly. I have muscles!

Yellow is My Favorite Color
December 12th Thomas and I took our white belt test and passed. The next week we received our yellow belts. It felt like a huge accomplishment for me, especially since it seems to take me about 47 times to finally learn something and about 47 more times before I actually get it right. By that time I also was able to complete every exercise. During the white belt test we did 160 pick axe kicks and I did every one! (and didn't pass out, black out, or die in the process!) Dennis came that night. Not sure how much he laughed at me, but told me that he thought I should become a black belt. Me, a black belt? That was the first time I thought about it. The first time that I thought that maybe it was possible. A few weeks later we had our first black belt celebration for three students at the school. It was that night that I decided for myself that yes, I would like to become a black belt. One of the instructors told me that it would take about two years, but considering the fact that those three young students took four or five years, I think it'll take a little longer. Maybe I can earn my black belt before I'm 50.

The Reactions I Get
I think one of the most fun things is the reaction that I get when people learn that I study the martial arts. Every Monday I have the opportunity to visit different elementary schools. When I visit a K-3 classroom, I teach a lesson on exercise. The main goal of the lesson is to demonstrate to the teacher ways to use the enhanced classroom equipment which includes a ceiling mounted projector and sound system. Through the use of podcasts, energizer Power Points, music and brainstorming with Inspiration, we talk about how to become happy and healthy. I ask each student what they like to do for exercise. I haven't had one mention martial arts in the process, so that's what I share that I like to do. Then most of the class tell me that they are or have taken some form of martial arts classes. They think it's cool that their visiting teacher does, too.

When I teach 4-6 grade classes, I teach a lesson entitled "Safety on the Information Highway." We talk about the student computer use agreement and the "rules of the road." To bring home the reality of who they might meet on the Internet we play a game where each student writes three statements about themselves: two are true and one is a fib. I start out and tell them: 1. I've been to all fifty states. 2. I have been in a Hollywood movie. 3. I take karate classes. I have stumped every class so far! They just can't believe that I take karate classes or that I've actually been to all fifty states. So if this teacher that is standing right in front of them can trick them, whose to say that they aren't being tricked by the person they meet on the Internet?

The most classic response is the one from one of my neighbors. He was asking me how my heart was doing and I told him that it was much better now that I was exercising. He asked what I have been doing. When I told him martial arts he quickly moved away and made a funny comment about how he was now going to have to be more careful around me. Very funny!

Benefits
Besides becoming more healthy, I've noticed a few other benefits:

• More laughter
• Sleep better
• Cleaner (gotta take a bath after those workouts!)
  
• More energy
• Confidence
• Keep up better with the laundry (gotta wash the clothes that get all sweaty!)
  
• More motivated to be less lazy
• More respect for myself
• More respect for others
• More respect from others
  
• Motivation to reach other goals
• Confidence to take on whatever I need to (like three teens!)
  

So family, if you want to join us, you know where we are.....