Need Advice

brandylina

Hi everyone! I am new to this group as well as MFP.

A short summary of my martial arts history:

I did TKD as a kid and got to a red belt before I quit (involved in too many sports, felt soccer and basketball were more important)

Started TKD back up for my last year of high school - Master Lee made me start at green belt and work back to red. Had to quit when I went to college.

Gained a lot of weight after graduating in 2001

Found an amazing dojang that worked with my weight issues (too big for uniform) - started in the white belt class and once the weight started coming off (I went from 350ish to 310ish in about a year) I started attending the upper belt class and retained my red belt. (I had to quit when we bought a house much too far to attend)

Quitting my last school broke my heart.

Anyway - I am now BACK up to 360. Going to the gym never happens - I find it boring and I really miss TKD. Now that I am settled and know I can look for a new dojang. I just hesitate. I don't know if I should? I'm a big girl. I don't know if I should lose some weight before trying to find a new dojang or not. TKD is religion to me - it brings a balance to my life and not actively participating the last couple years has left a heavy place in my heart.

I know this was kind of scattered (and long) but I'm just really confused about what to do... I never missed TKD when I was going a few years ago. in fact, even at my high weight, I was doing 2 classes in a row! Once I moved to the upper class I took either the white belt class or the kickboxing class because I knew I needed the workouts.

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me.

jfinnivan

It seems to me that you have three options.
1. Find a school with a good teacher that you feel will help you get back into TKD. You took it before at your highest weight. Why can't you do it again?
2. Workout on your own, or find a partner until you're comfortable going back to a school.
3. Do nothing.

I'd vote for #1. Good Luck!

atsteele

It seems to me that you have three options.
1. Find a school with a good teacher that you feel will help you get back into TKD. You took it before at your highest weight. Why can't you do it again?
2. Workout on your own, or find a partner until you're comfortable going back to a school.
3. Do nothing.

I'd vote for #1. Good Luck!

I vote for #1 too!! Find some school/instructor that will support you and begin now. Don't wait to get started again. If TKD is your passion, you will be motivated to keep going. Carpe diem!!

brandylina

It seems to me that you have three options.
1. Find a school with a good teacher that you feel will help you get back into TKD. You took it before at your highest weight. Why can't you do it again?
I'd vote for #1. Good Luck!

I guess it's that initial fear over being so obese and what people may think. Silly, I know. I just had such a great support system at my last school; and it does keep me motivated because I love it so much. nice to hear other martial artists are supportive of a larger person - I always worry about people thinking I have no place there. I shouldn't worry about what other people think

bushidowoman

I agree with finding a new dojang. If TKD is your passion and a source of strength for you, you DO have a place there. You are worth taking care of, regardless of your size. Whether or not those around you are supportive (and I hope they are--I know I would be), I hope you will believe this for yourself.

brandylina

Thanks everyone I appreciate the input!

grover0ca

I say you need to go back to tkd. I am just like you, I love it and I unless something is broken I don't miss a class.
Regardless of your weight you need to exercise right, so why not do it at something you love???
As for the people in your class, just remember that everyone has limitations, no one has that perfect body that will do everything that is required of them in tkd. One of the biggest ladies in our class (she started at well over 300 pounds) is also one of our most flexible. I don't look down on her for being there..I admire her for getting her butt to class every day even though it is hard for her and the workouts are physically very difficult for her at times, that takes commitment and dedication.

Visit a few schools and watch a few classes and try get a feel for the place.

Let us know how it works out

beckyinma

I say you need to go back to tkd. I am just like you, I love it and I unless something is broken I don't miss a class.
Regardless of your weight you need to exercise right, so why not do it at something you love???
As for the people in your class, just remember that everyone has limitations, no one has that perfect body that will do everything that is required of them in tkd. One of the biggest ladies in our class (she started at well over 300 pounds) is also one of our most flexible. I don't look down on her for being there..I admire her for getting her butt to class every day even though it is hard for her and the workouts are physically very difficult for her at times, that takes commitment and dedication.

Visit a few schools and watch a few classes and try get a feel for the place.

Let us know how it works out

THIS!

You're going to fail at losing weight if you limit yourself to exercise that you hate, plain and simple. If it's something you love, you'll be more dedicated. I actually gained 15lb (not muscle) during my first 1.5 years at karate because I used a good workout as an excuse to go to McD's and eat a bigmac after. OOPS! I realized after I got my brown belt that I would have to kick it up a notch if I wanted to feel good disrobing for my black belt san chin test (men wear just their gi trousers, women wear their trousers and sports bra or tank top.) I want to feel confident enough to wear just my sports bra and pants when sensei is standing in front of me punching me in the gut for my physical focus test. I'm almost there...

Go for it!

brandylina

Thanks so much for the input, guys. it really means a lot