Weight Loss, Got Taekwondo?

Written by Barb Inlow-Childress
I have exercised two or three times per week for most of my adult life. I was at my optimal weight in my mid-20s. By my late 20s, I had gained several pounds, though mostly muscle mass. Then, over the next decade, I got married and had kids. My weight fluctuated during this time, and, when the dust settled, I was in the "high normal" range for my height and age. I got to a point in my mid-40s where I briefly reached a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25, the start of the "overweight" range.

I couldn't reconcile myself to that self-image, so I took off a few pounds just to keep under that dreaded category. However, I had no compelling reason to lose any more weight. As long as I was healthy and in the "normal" range, though barely, I considered it unnecessarily self-indulgent and vain to spend any more time on my weight than working out a few times per week. Also, I didn't want to change my eating habits, so there my weight stayed.

Although I had dabbled in the martial art of taekwondo for a semester or two when I was in college, I took it up "for real" at the age of 47 at The Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo. I let the curriculum that Master Barb Kunkel had in place carry me along; I worked out two or three times per week. When I became an advanced color belt student, around the time I turned 49, I knew that a Black Belt degree was on the horizon and that, to make it through the Black Belt physical test, I needed to step up my practice and intensify my training.

Not only did I gradually increase the frequency and vigor of my training, but I finally changed my eating habits, too: high fiber, whole grain breakfasts, less refined sugar, more fruits and nuts and veggies, plenty of lean protein. I focused on drinking primarily tea and water. I didn't allow myself to get overly hungry. However, I did allow myself dark chocolate covered peanuts on a regular basis!

The real question is why did I change? I changed because I was being asked to do something above and beyond my "usual" for a goal that was, to me, way beyond "ordinary". Over time, at A.L.L. Taekwondo, my "good" had gotten "better," but now my "better" wasn't good enough; I required my "best" to get to Black Belt. Coach Kunkel, an Olympian herself, had kindled the warrior within me. And, even beyond that, I was accountable to my Team to be the best I could be - for them, for me, for us. Every-day nutrition was no longer good enough; I needed great nutrition to keep going when I felt ground down. Ultimately, I changed because I was not focused on losing weight, I was focused on gaining a Black Belt. Losing weight was no longer about self-indulgence, it was a side-benefit of a larger mission.

Although I didn't break any land speed records, I started to lose about a pound per month. By my 50th birthday, I had lost eleven pounds while having built up significant muscle mass. At that age, it was mind-boggling to discover that I had the outlines of a "four-pack" of abdominal muscles, something I had never seen before in my life, even when I was swimming competitively as a teenager! I had become not only fifty, but Fit and Feisty, as well.

The month I turned fifty, I earned my "Red Executive" Belt, the last one before Black Belt. Now it was a crescendo of effort over several months culminating first in the Black Belt curriculum test, and then in that grueling, but oddly rewarding, final qualifier, the Black Belt physical test. Finally, a week later, it was "Show Time!" as we put on our demonstration in front of a large audience at Liberty High School and concluded with the graduation ceremony where we received our Black Belts.

By the demo/graduation, I had shed a total of 17 pounds and my BMI was 22, close to optimal for me. Also, as an unexpected bonus, my husband took off 22 pounds, realizing some fitness goals of his own. During the holidays, five pounds crept back on. I knew that might happen, given decreased exercising and all the Christmas goodies I allowed myself (including my delicious home-made "Teddy Bear"-shaped breads!) I also know that the gain stops here. By the time this article is published, the seasonal goodies will be banished and we will be eating wisely and exercising more consistently again.

I am in the process of reconciling my self-image to my slenderer self. This will help me keep off the weight. Although keeping "Black Belt fit" is my main fitness goal, until my weight has truly stabilized at or below this level, I must wage the "maintenance" battle now. I have seen enough people in our taekwondo school ("dojang") lose weight to know that it is not a rare event, especially for those people who are serious about reaching Black Belt. Many of them have kept it off, too. The six ladies who just tested for Black Belt with me lost over forty pounds combined, in getting to that goal!

My advice to anyone seeking to lose weight, find a goal that truly inspires and motivates you, something that is worthy of your time and passion. Then, turn your Inspiration into Perspiration!

Learn more:
Come to our FREE Orientation and Introductory Class to Martial Arts
offered weekly at The Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo
Call for reservation 719-260-4700 or email: familytaekwondo@aol.com
http://www.family-taekwondo.com/
http://www.alltkd.com/