WEIGHTLOSS WITH SAFETY!
BabyLove here! I'm four weeks away from turning 30, and I'm on a mission. Since losing 24 lbs. last year on The Fresh Diet, I've successfully maintained my current weight. With the big day quickly approaching, I'm gearing up to lose twelve more pounds. I'm looking forward to taking a break from dieting. It's been almost three years, and I'm mentally exhausted.
I've decided to try some new things. I'm a super duper creature of habit, and I get nervous in unfamiliar situations, where I could potentially make a total jack ass of myself. Tonight, however, I bit the bullet and dragged one of my besties to a karate class at my son's school. My husband goes to the class almost every night. He comes home drenched in sweat, and exhausted. Just his tales of pushups and sit ups, and high knees make me tired. And every night he comes home telling me how much I'd love it. For awhile, I really tried to figure out what I had done to give him the impression that I loved pushups, sit ups, and high knees. I don't. I like to run slow, listen to the same music, and then bitch and moan about why my weight loss stalls. Basically, I like to talk a big game, and then take absolutely no accountability for why my jeans still fit tight in the bum.
Chrissy and I go into karate expecting a disaster. We bow a few times, run in some circles, do some pushups, jumping jacks, sit ups, really anything that you don't feel like doing. I was sweaty and out of breath, but felt really good. We did some punching bag work, and combos, and some more pushups and sit ups. Then, something really interesting happened. The instructor took out these fake knives, and set us up with a potential attacker scenario. We were taught how to defend ourselves. This is so important for women to learn because it can be life saving. The sad part is, I'm definitely 1,000x safer now, then I was in my early twenties. I cannot tell you how many times I left a bar, and walked into a dark parking lot alone. Or how many times I lived on the same coed floor in college where the girl two doors down from me was raped by her "friend.¨ I'm turning thirty, and this is the first time I've learned any sort of self defense, and right now, I'm the safest I've probably been in ten years.
The moral of my story is whether you're 15, 25, or 50, self defense is integral. Even if you don't sign up and attend classes three times a week, please go to a day class to make yourself aware of a few moves that you can do if you're ever in the unfortunate situation of needing to defend yourself. I signed up for class twice a week with hopes of educating myself, and trimming my waist line!
How safe are you? Have any of you ever taken any of these self defense classes? Hopefully, I'm going to be both safer AND SKINNIER!
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Comments
I'm kinda sceptical about self defense...I really thinkg that in order to use the techniques you can learn, you really need self control and balance. I'm sure in a dangerous situation I'd rather run than try to apply the techniques I learnt during the classes...but this is only my humble opinion.It sounds good though.
i want to take self defense classes. It's great that you are still maintaining your weight.
Babylove! Take me with you next time! I would love to pretend to beat the crap out of some attacker. And I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised by your weightloss. I find that when we force ourselves to do things only to lose weight we get tired, frustrated, unmotivated and bored. But, when we do something for another reason, the pounds are shed much quicker because our focus is on something else and we tend to stay motivated longer. Whether you take a class to learn to defend yourself, or to get a break from your 2-year-old, or to meet a new friend, or just to ogle a hot personal trainer...when you aren't preoccupied by the ever-powerful scale, results happen quicker. Good luck on those last 12, I still think you look great!
Great job with the weight loss! And I like how you tried something new that inspires you! You found a class that you enjoy going to and you find both the activity and the message motivating. Thanks for sharing with us and an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Thirty is just another day. Really, I have lived many more after it!
i took a kickboxing class YEARS ago and loved it... when the instructor held up a padded mat and i got to kick the smack outta him (after he'd made us drop and give him 20) i looooved it. i got to punch and kick him like i meant it... really - it was wonderful (he was also as cute as you would HOPE a kickboxing instructor would be). i also grew up in a very... tough (there's no other way to put it) neighborhood... & you sort of instinctively learn self defense in that environment, altho thankfully i've never had to actually defend myself other than verbally. the closest call i can remember was a girlfriend and i were followed home from a bar by a car of guys.... i drove to our local precinct (instead of home), i pulled into a spot & walked into the front door before the guys even realized they double parked in front of a precinct to follow two girls home. the cops thought it was hysterical that these tools followed us to a police station. good luck w/the karate classes! i've recently started hot vinyasa classes... my new years resolution and i've been consistant and doing it two classes a week and might be adding a third class. i havent felt this strong and bendy in AGES...
30...the start of what I PROMISE will be the BEST years of your life! 30's are amazing and 40's even more so! :)Good for you on the weight loss,obviously you did what REALLY works and learned how to make beeter food-choices and keep yourself strong and healthy :)I about dropped the other day: a rather gorgeous and truly thin girl I know gave me a shocking answer when I asked her "what she did" to retain her "blessed with it" figure: she told me she "just did a little bump here and there..." I know enough about what NOT to do in this world to know that drug use of any kind sure isn't the way to be pretty or healthy in the long run...color me oficially shocked and disgusted. WAY disgusted.I'd also love to be able to "take a break from dieting" but am not sure it's ever going to be possible again,seems like I have to do more just to stay the same with no gains these days,LOL! I TOTALLY believe in some solid self defense training: I spent 3.5 HARD years training (I was in a different place then...) and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when I hit 40...yes,it was horrifically hard and funny thing IS,I quit doing it once I "did" it,LOL! Got burned out I guess :)Even today however I am SO much more aware and efficient in my movements and have retained all of the "extra senses" one acquires when you have some training...I have literally yelled at friends who walk to their cars in parking garages texting and NOT paying attention to their surroundings wiht their keys firmly in hand!The best defense,of course is avoidance and the ability to get the hell out of a volatile situation asap BUT if you're ever faced with something dicey,I TOTALLY agree with you that every girl NEEDS a few killer-skills along with her lippy! I go about my life with quite a lot of confidence because I can take care of myself if need be.Good luck to you on this adventure! :)
This sounds amazing and you should be so proud of your accomplishment!!!
Wow! These classes sound great, self protection is pretty important..AND you get to lose weight too ;D Congrats on the 24 pounds! Love the article pic BTW!
I've never taken safe defense classes before but I've always wanted to. I think it's a class every girl should take. It looks fun.
I have not taken self-defence class yet, but I think it will be good for me to do so. This looks fun too.
It think it is awesome that you are sticking to your healthier habbits and are becoming a better version of youself.. I admire you for setting a goal and going all out to achive it.. I too am a creature of habit and bitch and moan through chain.. it is a joke amongst my siblings that I will fight change to the end then be the one who enjoys and celebrates it the most once it occurs. I agree that self defence is super important and applaud you for sticking with this transformation inside and out ..
Congratulations on your weight-loss success!! I've never taken a self-defense class, but I've been in a fair few fights shhh don't tell anyone.
woah, 24 lbs is crazy! congrats on that. I've never taken self defense classes, but i always wanted to.. my best friend took karate for 3 years, and she started looking really good!
I used to take karate in school. I only reached till yellow belt. But, honestly I loved it. It's indeed a great form of exercise. I love how you take out all the built up energy. Now seeing your post, I guess I will take up karate again :)
I've never taken self-defense class... even if I did, I'd probably be at the losing end given my skinny frame... congrats on keeping your weight off!
Babylove! First off, HUGE congratulations for keeping the weight off! I think losing weight is a really hard thing to do but equally as daunting is keeping the weight off! You go girl! I have been a fan since you started your diet! I loved your piece! "Basically, I like to talk a big game, and then take absolutely no accountability for why my jeans still fit tight in the bum." Favorite line!My son took karate when he was a young kid and I would NEVER have had the nerve to try it myself, then or now! I commend you HIGHLY for going and even more for learning self-defense! I still don't know any self defense! I am absolutely scared to death to getting attacked - my strategy is to never go anywhere after dark! I avoid dark parking lots like the plague! I had a job at a mall once and every time I'd ask the guard to walk me to my car. I really SHOULD look into learning more about self-defense. Thanks so much for this great reminder!~ And again...I REALLY thought this was a great topic and written in a way that I had to read it a second time!
Jeanasina!http://jhasleftthebuilding.blogspot.com/
Great job and what a great idea!!!
~~Christy
kickboxing w/ heavy bags. mix of cardio and strength training has slimmed me down 34 lbs so far and done a bit of sculpting!!!
I took a self defense class one semester and loved it. I felt very powerful. It can make you a little paranoid, but you definitely start paying more attention to your surroundings. That's a good thing. Hope you stick with it and kick some ass!
how fun, i just love going to body attack and bodycombat classes, i went this morning and tired myself out
who loves makeup? me me ME!
how fun, i just love going to body attack and bodycombat classes, i went this morning and tired myself out
who loves makeup? me me ME!
Congrats on the weight loss. I need to start eating better again. I was thinking about that today when I was at the grocery store. I've never taken a self-defense class. I think it is a great idea though.
I LOVED kick-boxing when I took it and I do plan on going back (i had to stop due to rupturing a vein in my foot :( )! it's a great way to stay in shape as well as learn new moves though. :)
i've been really thinking about self defense classes, especially after seeing how the crime that goes on at the train station around here! no where is safe!
http://lilynotlouise.blogspot.com/
Congrats on the weight loss! We got self defense classes in PE at school here in the UK, really useful!
I've taken some self defense classes (the police department at my college offered them for free) and they are great!! They also taught us how to properly use mace (there is a way and no, you don't just spray it). It was a great class and I was sore for days after!
I used to take boxing classes for a while and LOVED it! I would really like to get back into it.
congrats on the great weight loss!!! You go!!I spent several years studying judo and hap ki do.....I too agree with you, women especially must learn some methods of self defense....I don't remember much off the top of my head, but I feel that if in a threatening situation, some of my training would kick right in!! Congrats to you for taking the challenge
great piece!! yeah i was thinking about going to take some kickboxing lessons or something!! :)
Good for you, BabyLove!!!!!!!
Gracie
Congrats on the weight loss! But I would much rather run than fight...
Congrats!!!
Great post, I am thinking about moving soon and really want to take one of these classes. Where I live is relatively safe, there's not a lot of crime and I don't worry about walking alone at night. But when I move it may become an issue and I want to know how to defend myself!
lover of beauty, sharer of opinions http://prettylightsbeauty.blogspot.com/
I took a kickboxing class about 6 years ago and was never in better shape. It was awesome. I really need to get back to it. Awesome workout.
My boyfriend is a martial artist so every week he teaches me new moves & techniques to defend myself. Its definitely not my favorite thing to do, but it does make me feel safer & it makes him feel better knowing that I have some knowledge on how to protect myself.
~Dezhttp://youtube.com/deziredbeautyhttp://deziredbeauty.blogspot.com
Congrats on your weight loss! I've never taken self-defense, but I definitely want to some time. Not only is it a workout, but it's something everyone should know!
I took a self-defense class in college. Very informative. I still remember some of the moves even though it's been a decade.
In my tai chi class, they did teach some self defense.
Good luck and have fun! I've thought about taking self-defense classing, or heck, even just hitting the gym or taking regular walks, but my migraines kind of bar me from doing anything physical most days. Until my doctors finally figure out what's wrong with me and treat it properly, by the time I get home from work in the evenings any impact- even just stepping down to hard- makes my head feel like my brain is being jarred around up there and all I want to do is lay down and relax.
I want to take the classes too, but they're just not available here.
I was going to take a self-defense class at my university but unfortunately I couldn't because of the classes I was required to take. I think next semester I'm going to make room for it especially since there's always strange people roaming around the campus.
I'd like to try but I think I'm too frail to defend myself.
I think it's fantastic that you stepped outside your comfort zone and tried something different. I started martial arts at around 8yo, and was heavily involved in tai chi and karate through-out my teens. By heavily involved I mean that I not only trained but also taught, I did competitions and trained others for competition, and I regularly attended advanced classes, seminars, and even camps. I still train, but am no longer as heavily involved as I once was. I feel that martial arts has a lot to offer, the least of which would be the self defence aspect. There is so, so much more to it than that.I know that a local female martial artist spoke out against self defence classes for woman at one point, claiming they did more harm than good, but I would disagree. I believe so strongly in self defence that I feel it should be part of compulsory school curriculum. I can assure you, from personal experience, that it is quite amazing just how much you can actually remember when you need to.
I've definitely considered taking self-defense classes before, especially with the area I live in. I think just having the confidence that you know what to do if something should happen is half the battle.
Never, I'd rather dance to lose weight
I would love to take a class like that! I'm trying to lose weight right now and I really need a fun workout routine! :)
haha good luck!
I took some southern shalin defence classes before, and it was great for keeping me fit. However, I won't depend on it to keep me safe. I want my first instinct to be "RUN!!!"
http://kookith.wordpress.com/
First of all, a huge congrats to you on your accomplishments! You're an inspiration to us all. :) On the subject of self defense classes, I took one back when I was about 12. I've never had to use any of the things I learnt, but I definitely feel like it would be a good idea to start taking them now. The only problem I have, is the whole money issue... maybe I should just get some of my guy friends to teach me how to fight??? Hahahaha.
my safety is mace. I should know some self defense but...