This December marks the 2-year anniversary of my life changing transformation. My girls were born in Nov of 2019. I was 5’5” and 200lbs. I ran out of breath going up and down the stairs. Now, I have two little ones to carry around! I had difficulties carrying them, I had difficulties laying them down to sleep in their crib. I needed a change.
That December I began my journey. I began walking daily with my newborns in a stroller, I began journaling, tracking my food, engaging in a more active lifestyle. In a year and a half, I have lost 83 lbs! Exercising daily and pushing myself to new limits. Last year, in December of 2020, I began another path, my path of Karate-Do
It has been nearly a year now with Kentuckiana Shotokan Karate-Do and through financial struggles and COVID-19 fears, I have kept faithful. I look forward to walking into the dojo on Wednesday nights and syncing up with my Karateka’s. Through practice, I have found more strength and confidence in myself than I ever thought possible.
Why Karate? What keeps me going? We are asked this at every belt test (spoiler alert). Every week I like to consider my “Why’s.” I let them fuel me. I let them motivate me. My “Why’s” keep me guided. On track. They mean so much more than just showing up in the dojo. Because of this, I would like to share my “Why’s” with others in hopes that it will inspire them to find their own!
- I found a passion in self-defense when our twins were born. Motherly instincts gave me a strong drive to develop my capabilities and understand how to defend myself and my family better verbally and physically from criminal actions.
- Martial Arts have become one of my favorite modes of exercise. It is a great form of physical fitness, well-being, and expression through movement.
- Pursuit of “The Way” is a personal enjoyment and a large part of my self-development.
- My motivation to pursue this endeavor with vigor is my wife, my children and myself. I do not want to suffer or my family suffer at the hands of a criminal because I couldn’t act or react. I do not want to miss the opportunity to watch my children grow old and walk them down the aisle because of poor health.
Karate helps me in all these aspects. I want to strive for longevity.
December marks two (2) years of my life’s turn around. December marks one (1) year in the dojo. This is my Way. These are my Why’s. What are yours?
I thought your post was excellent and i really enjoyed it. I will have to put this into practice. I would find it very beneficial. Thanks for sharing.