I want to be able to start martial arts. But I am overweight and out of shape, but have been going to the gym regularly for the past month (5 to 6 times a week).\n\nI am willing as much time as needed to get into shape as QUICKLY as possible.
127752
If you keep going to the gym as much as you are now (5 times a week is great) and eachtime you go to the gym workout for an hour and make sure your doing an activity that makes you sweat and puff (a cardio workout- like jogging or fast walking on the treadmill or the bike) for half an hour and then do strength training (lifting weights and sit-ups, push-ups etc)for the other half you will be well on your way to getting into shape. Of course the other half of losing weight is watching what you eat. Try to have smaller portians than you usually do at every meal and make sure your plate has more vegetables than anything else.. have a handful of protein at every meal (fish, chicken, lean meat) and only have 2-3 serves of carbs a day (have brown bread, rice, pasta or potatoes.. 1 serve is a slice of bread or a cup of rice/pasta). Also every time you feel thirsty have a cup of water, dont drink soda or even juice (juice is healthy but has lots of calories.. 1 glass a day is okay though). Its all a matter of saying to yourself 'I am a healthy person, i dont like junk food anymore'!\nI have lost 30 pounds over the last year by doing this and am now 130 and feel fantastic!\nIf you do that, and educate yourself on what is good or bad to eat you will definately be fit and ready to martial arts in about 6 months. 2-3 pounds is a good amount to lose each week.. i know you want to lose it quickly, but its not easy and the weight wont just drop off, you have to work for it! Good luck, you really can do it, and in October this year you will be 130 pounds!
591307
If you're paying for a gym you should go, just go for a half hour, do some cardio, or get a class schedule and go for a class.  You're already paying for it so get going!  You'll feel better once you get back in there, go girl!
367709
it is a sorta harsh accusition to make.. boxers definately will work hard to reach desired weight.. i no i have made my wieght go up and down..serveral times as much as like 20 in about 6 weeks. without makin my physical fitness suffer. imma give him the upper hand and say he did it healthfully.
414002
Hood_12, you have escaped the cult with your common sense still intact. awesome. TaeKwon Doughnut... ROFLMAO. that art is true BULLSHIDO\n\ngiving black belts to kids shows that it isnt a realistic thing. a black belt only shows you that they are good at TKD, not of reality. I ask parents to think about the illusions they will be feeding their kids if they put them into TKD. as a competitive sport, sure. as a self defence, no. we all need hobbies, but I prefer mine to include elbows and knees, throat chops and joint manipulation. not only punches and kicks. \n\nto limit yourself is to limit your potential. believing that a limited number of moves can be better than more is dumb, and I dont mean more moves, like kung fu animals, I mean other body tools like elbows, knees, and other target areas like knees. if you laugh at knee kicks, get one. \n\nstay safe in the McDojo, for that is the limit of your limitations power.\nno mystery there.
674960
it sounds like you are off to a good start.  try walking out doors and purchase some fun dancing work out dvd's.  try bike riding, roller blading, tennis, pickleball or join a team of some sorts.  try tae bo tapes, jane fonda step aerobics, cher step aerobics, etc.  find a friend to work out with also, or you can join a gym or enroll at the ymca.  the point is to stay active.  try to exercise at least an hour a day 5 days a week.  watch your eating style as well and drink plenty of clean fresh water and green tea.
355061
Quicksilver8676: \n\nBEST ANSWER!! Totally agree with every word. I've studied martial arts for over ten years. I teach self defence mixing Taekwondo and Ju Jitsu techniques. Cross training is the way to go but knowlege snf training in ANY martial art will be useful in a REAL situation.\n\nHood_12: \n\nDumbest guy you'll ever meet. Every post he makes is negative about TKD as he was screwed over by his instructor/school. It does happen sometimes. Most people notice they are been taken for a ride after a couple of lessons. Not this moron tho. Took him five years LOL
98232
well in my opinion i am just about the same height and weight just ,like you, but i love doing tae bo and eating healthy. It's fun, and after two weeks you'll see and feel the diference! ;) good luck!
674934
CRANK IT UP!!  20 min a day is crap.  Step it up a bit, go atleast 45 min of non stop cardio work outs.  Just 3 days a week will get u in shape.
567070
Hmm ok well bit of an odd question, but...\n\nI used to be weak as a kid - my brother used to beat up on me a lot. And then I grew, and started doing weights - not much, but a little. Try starting with press ups - do 10, then rest for 30 seconds, then 10 more, then rest for 30 seconds, then last 10. As these get easier, do more - or if too hard, do less.\n\nDo some running - it will build up your leg muscles. Aim to be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping, at least 3 times a week.\n\nDo some sit ups - same regime as for press ups.\n\nPractice stretching - this will help your muscles be more supple and grow a little.\n\nThe important thing to remember is that size does not equal strength. Look at Bruce Lee - he wasn't huge, but was very strong, and a great fighter.\n\nAs for fighting - practice your balance - stand on one leg for 10 seconds, then the other, then for longer, and vary how you stand - othe rleg in front, behind, to the side.\n\nOnce you've developed your balance a bit, look for your natural stance - try standing with your feet shoulders width apart, and with one leg twice that distance in front of the other. Bend your front leg at the knee, and keep your back leg straight. Practice walking from one way to the other like this, whilst keeping both feet as close to the floor as possible. This will build up your ability to move from fighting stance to fighting stance. Stance will help you keep your balance and add more power to defense and attack moves.\n\nOnce you've got balance and stance sorted, start practicing punching by doing the stance/walk, and punching with the same hand as the leg that is moving forwards. This is a pretty hard punch as, when done right, it will throw all your weight behind it.\n\nBasically it all takes time, but if you start with balance, general fitness, and stance, everything else will follow.\n\nBut don't fight, its not worth it.\n\nIf you want further advise, feel free to mail me.\n\nAnd seriously think about joining a self defence club. The best fighters I know don't fight a lot, they have discipline, and will only fight when it is really needed.
523222
Check out the links posted on these sites, and search:\n\nwing chun kung fu\n\nIt is an effective art form that is realitively easy to learn, and will get you in shape if you remain commited to it. \n\n\nhttp://www.wingchunassociation.com \nhttp://www.pacificwingchunassociation.com
635295
I think its really depends on your attempt . and also begin a warrior in this way !! Good luck warrior
566212
James, \n\nI love it! It's totally awesome that you've built your own site, a nifty skill to develop at your age. I really love the pictures, especially the action shots, and am envious of your obvious martial arts prowess. I've always wanted to learn martial arts, and haven't squished it into my life yet. So how about adding some text about why you choose martial arts, what it means to you, and where you hope to go with it? You might add a few graphics, maybe a neat background and some color, but I like what you have. You are well on your way to building an awesome site.\n\nBest wishes,\n~Tia~\nLive from the big, purple brain\nhttp://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html\nASK YOUR QUESTIONS, CALL THE BRAIN - 212-382-3592
185602
I jouned when kicked out of colege and even though I am in decent shape, I was still in trouble with the running.  Don't like to run....So start running, little distances at first but buold up to a mile at least in 10 minuts before u go.\n     Also have some exercises to build up your upper body strenght.  But mostly and importantly...RUN..RUN..RUN !!!
663692
YES, get them started now!  Children learn so many skills we as adults do not realize that those skills are so much harder to learn the older we get.  Take it from me, your girls are a great age to begin martial arts lessons.  Especially for women martial arts is such a wonderful talent to have.  Tae Kwon Do emphasizes kicking and punching (females have wonderful lower body strength and so they could easily excel at this art), Karate emphasizes some more complex techniques (take-downs, arm bars, limb breaks, rolls, etc..) but I think it is excellent to learn as well.  Jui-jitsu is similar to grappling, like wrestling only the key is joint locking.  Aikido is all about flips, rolls, falls, etc,.. it emphasizes evasion technique.  Your girls are the perfect age to begin because they have a workable attention span and by learning the techniques now, they will have time (years necessary) to learn how to effectively apply them and it is in those future years that they would be most likely to need those skills.  Go for it, I'm sure they will love it!!! I hope they stick with it.
283401
His best bet would be to enter some "open" tournments in the area. EX: The N.A.G.A. holds grappling tourments where one does not need to be part of a club to participate.  If he does well there other's that are part of clubs will attempt to recruit him.  From there he will train with others and when skill levels raise they will support him into UFC events and or Pride events.  Or look for any training facilities in your area that specialize in martial arts but make sure they are endorse by a national agency. If your located out in the lost lands it might be tough but worth the effort if he's really serious about it.
37216
I am a martial artist, that's great because a) it's social exercise and b) it's focused and a little exotic... So that works for me but it's all about your personality... are you the contemplative type, than maybe a jog would do it-- I understand you don't have all the time in the world but 1/2 an hour a day, or even 3x a week will start to tone you, as far as diet is concerned, eating what you'd normally eat in smaller portions, dieting with a friend, and never eating out of the box are good strategies... low sugar diets work a lot better for me than low fat but I'm not sure if that's a universal experience also try and incorporate a lot of fresh fruit into your diet.
238740
well eating right is a good first step.  as far as working out, you just need to find a way to get yourself in the gym.  you could just pay for the trainer...that way you know you won't waste the sessions so you'll make time in your schedule to work out.  or get a friend to workout with you.  if you don't have the motivation right now, you need someone that can push you.