Black Belt Mama

A Work Out for the Faithful

We sometimes forget to get the mail (I also sometimes forget to check the gas gauge in my car and then end up having a near panic attack while driving Big I to school while wearing my pajamas, with no wallet, no purse, no cell phone, but that's a story for another time).  When we finally retrieved the mail after about three days, there was an invitation from my church to attend services this morning.  Every year on this Sunday, they celebrate the baptisms that have occurred during the past church year.  Lil C is one of those and we were invited to attend the service and pick up her baptismal medallion. 

After a long afternoon at the zoo yesterday, Mr. BBM said he didn't really want to go (The service I like to attend is at 8 a.m.), and so Lil C and I went by ourselves to church this morning.  Once at church, I climbed about 30 steps to get up to the balcony where my parents were sitting.  Lil C was great on Christmas Eve, sleeping through almost all of the service.  Today, she was wide awake. 

Lil C sang when we sang.  She "talked" when the Pastor spoke, including during his homily.  At one point during a prayer, she tested out her pipes and squealed at top volume.  She also enjoyed dropping her teddy over the back of the pew and then remarking "Oh, OH, OH NO" which is her version of "Uh-oh."  She also thought the wood floors were pretty cool, and especially liked how her shiny shoes sounded when stomping on them. 

When church was over, I was perspiring and it's possible that I pulled a muscle from all the bending to retrieve things she had thrown.  Holding a 15-month old squirmer for an entire church service is exhausting. 

We then walked back down the stairs, to the front of the church, and up to the parking lot which is not exactly a picnic in two inch heels with a child, purse and a diaper bag. 

Because I felt like tempting fate, we then went grocery shopping.  Lil C was an angel as long as I kept the constant stream of gold fish crackers coming her way. 

In fact, it wasn't until after I dropped off Lil C with Daddy, and attempted to bring the groceries in the house that my exhausted and weary body finally gave out.  While attempting to carry in about 10 grocery bags at a time, I over-turned my ankle and ended up in an unbecoming squat on the sidewalk.  Getting up from that squat in a skirt, with two inch heels, a sore ankle, a pulled leg and butt muscle (karate leftovers), and about 30 pounds of groceries was no small feat. 

The agenda for the rest of my day involves my new TV, football, some ice, and some rest.  Here's to hoping Lil C is as exhausted as I am. 

Round 2

Because I am a glutton for punishment, my husband and I sparred on Saturday after my testing.  While in his basement office, he's apparently been working some things out.  For example, instead of leaping around and only throwing punches, he's discovered kicks (or thinks he has anyway).  I spent all this time between sparring sessions thinking about ways to defend against his punches and now he's kicking.  Great.

The good news is that I blocked most of his kicks.  While at karate last week, my instructor and I were talking about the head of our dojo and his sparring techniques.  My instructor was saying that he would often stand there sideways, and just wait.  As an opponent would approach, he would throw out a back kick that would stop an attacker in their footsteps. 

I thought I'd give it a go.  So, instead of just throwing front snap kicks or roundhouse kicks, I threw in a side kick (I do need to practice these after all) and an occasional back kick. They seemed to do the trick and I will definitely try to incorporate those into my sparring in the future. 

My problem with my husband doing a quick run by and bopping me on the head is still there.  It's his height.  He has me by a good 6 inches.  Last week in class, we talked about using inside, outside and knife hand blocks to defend against punches-that these blocks seem to be the most effective.  With someone who is coming from so much farther above you though, it's hard not to do upward blocks.  And my upward blocks are not strong enough against his punches.  I tried to parry and move out of the way.  I tried to augment my blocks, but I have two problems: lack of upper body strength and I'm thinking entirely too much about what I want to do. 

When I think too much while sparring, it slows me down.  Speed is another thing I really need to work on.  I'm quick when I play tennis, so why can't that translate to karate?  It's frustrating. 

I'm also frustrated with my husband's lack of control.  Grrr.  He hit me in the nose so hard that I thought for sure I was going to have a bloody nose.  I returned the favor with a shot that rolled off his head gear right into his eye.  We have awesome sparring gear and I love it, but somehow I'm thinking we might have been better off wearing these. . .

So, as far as the BBM Challenge goes, I'm doing well with my goal of sparring once a week.  I just need to concentrate on building upper arm strength.  You'd think that carrying around my almost year old would help with that and it does sometimes.  It's just that now, Lil C much prefers walking/running around the house, and climbing the stairs on her own. 

Look for Round 3 details later this week.  Hopefully I can get some pointers at class this week. 

If you're interested in joining the BBM Challenge, it's not too late.  See here for details and email me for a coupon code for Everything Fitness once you've signed up.

The Carnival of Family Life is up here.  Check it out for some great posts.

Ding, ding, ding Round 1

Mr. BBM and I have been kind of crabbing at each other all weekend.  It started with shopping, then turned into an argument about a pan; and I was very annoyed that we had yet to spar.  I mean come ON, we got the equipment on Friday.  So knowing my state of grumpiness, Mr. BBM knew he had to do something to salvage the rest of the weekend.  That and I called him a "chicken."

This afternoon Mr. BBM put Lil C in her port-a-crib and told Big I to entertain her.  "Let's go," he said, "We've got 10 minutes" which is about the limit that Lil C will happily tolerate being in her port-a-crib with Big I as an entertainer.  We geared up quickly and ran down to our sparring room (aka the basement) and got busy. 

Without the self-consciousness that I have at the dojo, sparring was a piece of cake.  My roundhouse kicks were killer and sent Mr. BBM retreating most of the time.  I tried to follow my kick with another kick, or by moving in and getting a good punch in at the belly or a back fist to the forehead.  I definitely held my own.  It was obvious that Mr. BBM was trying to figure out how to defend against my kicks.  He's going to have to think long and hard about that because the kicking is definitely my strongest asset.

I have super long legs.  Even though my husband is a good 6 inches taller than I am, our legs are the same length.  When I was pregnant with Big I, I wore his jeans during that in-between stage.  So, the kicking went well.  I'd also like to introduce you to my two new best friends:

(Those are not my legs by the way.)  Sparring with shin guards on makes a world of difference.  I was not tentative with my kicks.  Without anticipating the pain that usually occurs in the shin area, I felt uninhibited and was free to let loose.  I have to say that the shin guards are my favorite part of my sparring gear.  I did not feel ANY impact what-so-ever.  At our dojo, we use Century Lightening gear, so the Macho Warrior was an experiment. . . one that turned out very well.  I'm super happy with the extra padding on the kickers and shin guards, because when sparring a 10th kyu you need all the padding you can get. 

There was one place where Mr. BBM could have used some extra padding, but I'm sure you can figure that out without me spelling it out for you.  Before all of you guys start doubling over with sympathy pain right, let me just tell you that as a girl, it is not any fun to be kicked where it counts either.  Since Mr. BBM invaded my personal space first, his nether regions were fair game.  (Just to be clear, I didn't aim for the jewels; but if he's going to kick and leave his leg hanging out at awkward angles. . . well, he should expect a wake up call or twelve.)  I think we'll probably start using our mouth guards next time, because we had some close calls with a hit to the eye, chin (both on him. . . . WHAT?  He turned his head right into it!), and nose (like my nose needed even the threat of swelling or injury). 

Mr. BBM likes the gear as well, especially considering he's a white belt and well, let's just say that we had some conversations about a little word that in karate, we like to call "control."  Actually, for not having any real experience sparring in a dojo, Mr. BBM did very well.  I found that I could easily defend against his kicks though, because I could tell when they were coming.  His punches were my problem. 

Being that he has me by 6 inches, he would often sort of make a fly-by and quickly run across the floor, and then lean in and bop me on the head.  It got really annoying.  Blocking against his punches and head bops was a little rough.  I did great blocking kicks and I blocked almost all the shots to my stomach, but the head is where I'm lacking.  This is definitely a problem.  Mr. BBM has some muscles; he's strong and I have skinny string bean arms that don't do well when blocking against a punch coming from him.  I'm going to have to figure out how to work on that.  I really don't know any other way other than to work on my upper body strength, or get quicker so I can move out of the way.  Any suggestions on this would be happily appreciated. 

I'm sure that as we spar more, I'll be able to start reading my opponent better and will be better prepared.  Sparring someone for the first time is always an adventure.  You never really know what someone's fighting style is going to be.  The trick will be changing up my fighting style to keep him guessing. 

Now that we know that we can break a good sweat with only a 10 minute escape from the kids, sparring on a regular basis is not going to be a problem. 

Any suggestions from the karate crew on defending against punches to the head when your opponent has much more upper body strength than you have?  I would be very appreciative of suggestions, and so would my brain that seems to be rattling around in my skull a bit since we sparred. 

If you would like to join the Black Belt Mama Challenge, it's not too late.  The BBM Challenge is on-going and new participants can sign up at any time.  Go here for details.  Participants in the BBM Challenge will receive a coupon code to use at Everything Fitness, and a wealth of support from other blogger participants.

Chicken

I am the initiator of the Black Belt Mama Challenge. 

I should be setting a good example.  I should be following through with my goals.

I have a problem.  Unfortunately, part of my goal involves another person, Mr. BBM. 

We ordered our sparring gear and being the nice person that I am, I even let my husband choose his color first.  He picked black, the color I wanted.  I let him have the black because I figured he's a 10th kyu on a semi-permanent break and therefore I'll let him have the black gear and feel all big and bad. 

I ordered metallic blue which I thought would emphasize my eyes nicely. . . and it does.

We got our gear quickly (Karate Depot doesn't mess around when it comes to shipping).  On Friday it arrived and I ripped it open with enthusiasm. 

My daughter and I had a blast trying it on and "sparring" in the kitchen. 

My husband is one of those people who, on Christmas morning, immediately disappears to try on a new shirt or pair of pants as soon as he opens it.  He's very much like a kid.  Because of that, this was the scene as soon as he saw that the gear had arrived. . .

Big I could care less that she doesn't have sparring gear yet.  She'll use her bare hands to inflict pain.  She'll take out her Kindergarten frustration on her Daddy any day (notice the "height" of that particular punch).  He's grimacing for a pretty good reason, or so he tells me. 

Because Mr. BBM and I will be sparring each other, and because my shins already are a lumpy bumpy bluish/purplish/greenish/yellowish/grayish (depending on the day and age of the bruise) mess, we also ordered shin guards.

But, besides the few brief moments of Big I threatening my husband with bodily harm, and her yelling "HEY!" every time I bopped her while sparring in the kitchen, our gear has remained relatively dormant.  Mr. BBM and I have not engaged in any official sparring activity.  (This, of course, does not include the argument we had this evening over the soaking of a certain pan that needed intense therapy after Salmon Burger Fest 2006 inflicted on it by none other than Mr. BBM himself).  Yes, besides Mr. BBM walking around the house kicking things and remarking how thick and nice and padded and awesome our kickers and shin pads are, our gear has remained relatively inactive. 

Sure, this was Kindergarten week and that took a lot out of all of us.  Of course, the girls are on really messed up schedules right now that is throwing us all for a loop; and yes, we have spent a disproportionate time of our weekend shopping.  But that's no EXCUSE!  Black Belt Mama needs to set an example, and I intend to start. . .

tomorrow.

Mr. BBM fell asleep upstairs while putting Lil C down for the night.  An accidental nap?  I think not.  I think there's a certain 10th kyu with black sparring gear that happens to be a bit afraid of his soon to be (hopefully) 3rd kyu wife who happened to take issue with his soaking pan comment. 

My message to him is simple:  BE AFRAID.  Be VERY AFRAID, because I'm gonna look so good in my metallic blue gear that you're not even going to see that roundhouse coming, or that back fist to the head that comes on the tail of a simple block.  That's right Mr. BBM, I'm throwing down the gauntlet.  Bawk, bawk, bawk, bawk. . . are you chicken. . .  or are we gonna GO?

Think that will get his butt in gear?

If you would like to join the Black Belt Mama Challenge, it's not too late.  The BBM Challenge is on-going and new participants can sign up at any time.  Go here for details.  Participants in the BBM Challenge will receive a coupon code to use at Everything Fitness, and a wealth of support from other blogger participants.

Black Belt Mama's Challenge

I completely missed my 100th post.  It was last week sometime.  I had been watching for it, and then I completely forgot about it.  So, here is post 105 or 106 or something.  Apparently I had a lot to say in the last week or so. 

Lots of bloggers make a big deal out of their 100th post, pointing readers to previous posts before most readers even knew they existed, or paying tribute to their faithful readers.  I wanted to do something different.  Of course, feel free to read my archives anytime, but I wanted to do something for us both. 

I came up with an idea, and this post serves as the official launch for "Black Belt Mama's Challenge". The challenge is simple.  I am challenging each and every one of my readers, and anyone else who might be interested, to change at least one thing in their life to improve their physical fitness.  I personally find it very difficult to stay motivated to continue working out (despite the fact that many of you used to say how motivating I was).  I know what I should be doing; I think about what I should be doing, but I don't do it.  Other things get in the way.  Excuses pile up and what needs to be done doesn't get done.

Usually I wait until three months before my beach vacation and decide I need to get moving on that ab work out.  This year, I'm starting now with an overall goal of continuing with the process.  I plan on having my goals evolve and change as I reach new ones.  It's not all about looking good either; it's about feeling good.  This isn't an Extreme Makeover.  This is about making gradual changes that enhance your physical and mental well-being.

Here's how it works:

1.  Create a personal goal.  Your goal can be as simple as "start taking the stairs instead of the elevator" at work, or go to the gym once a week.  Something, anything, that will make a positive impact on your physical fitness and life.  If you don't go to the gym at all, don't make a goal to go to the gym five days a week.  It's not going to happen.  Start with something small.  You can always add to it later.

2.  Create a plan.  How are you going to accomplish your goals?  If your goal is to take a walk every day, figure out what time you're going to go, where you're going to walk, etc.  If you have a planned time and place, it's more likely you'll actually follow through.

3.  Write about it.  Post your goal and your plan for all to see.  Keep track of your progress and post on your blog on in a personal journal every once in a while.  If your goal is to tone your arms, take a picture now and plan on taking pictures as you work towards your goals.  It will help keep you motivated (at least that's what I'm telling myself).   Consider adding a category to your blog where you will keep all your entries regarding the challenge so that other participants can find your entries easily. 

4.  Get the code.  I made a button for the occasion.  Put the button somewhere in the sidebar on your blog and then let me know it's there via a comment or an email (black-belt-mama @ hotmail dot com) or just click on the "email me" link on the upper left sidebar.  Once I verify that you are indeed taking the BBM Challenge and have your button up, I will add you to the BBM Challenge blogroll.  The blogroll will include all BBM Challenge participants so that we can stop by each other's sites and help each other reach our goals.  I'll also email you the code for the blogroll, so that you can have the participants at your fingertips.  The button will link to this entry so that others can see what you're doing and join in the fun.  The code is below.  (Thank you Izzy for helping me with this!)

<p><a href="http://blackbeltmama.typepad.com/black_belt_mama/2006/08/black_belt_mama.html"><img title="Bbmchallenge_1" height="15" alt="Bbmchallenge_1" src="http://blackbeltmama.typepad.com/black_belt_mama/images/bbmchallenge_1.png" width="80" border="0" /></a> </p>

I think it will be a lot of fun and help all of us to reach our goals and make positive changes in our lives. 

So here's how I'm challenging myself.

GOAL:  Tone muscles and get better at sparring.

PLAN:  Remember that sparring gear my husband and I were going to get each other for Christmas?  Christmas is now.  As soon as the equipment is in, I plan on sparring at least once a week at home.  O.k., let's start with small reasonable goals: I plan on sparring ONCE a week at home.  If it happens more than that, great. But let's be realistic here. . . I still need time to blog!  I also plan on doing some push-ups, sit-ups, and minor weight lifting to start with the muscle toning. 

My code is up!  My blogroll is just waiting for you!  Won't you take the BBM Challenge?

Edited to Add:  This just in. . . participants in the BBM Challenge are eligible for a 5% discount coupon code for Everything Fitness.  They have everything from boxing gloves to yoga mats to heart rate monitors, so no matter what your personal goal is, they will be able to help. 

If you can see it, you can do it

It has been very hectic lately around here, what with Lil C suddenly becoming extremely mobile.  It has not allowed very much time for solitary training.  My work out has definitely taken a back burner. Until I can figure out how to contain Lil C without her having an absolute fit or figure out a way to somehow wear her in a baby wrap that won't interfere with kata (not possible), I have to resort to other ways to continue to learn my material for testing.  The other ways don't necessarily have to be physical. 

I had a biopsychology class when I was in college.  I passed by the skin of my teeth despite a ton of studying.  One thing I will always remember from that class though, is something my professor said about neural pathways and learning.  If you read something, or study something before bed, while sleeping your brain works on it and makes it easier to remember.  She said it much more scientifically than that, of course; but I've found it to be very true.  In college, if I studied right before bed, the information was easier to remember the next day.  I didn't remember everything; but I remembered enough to make me want to continue the habit.  (I only wish it would have worked a little better with bio-psych.) 

Recently, while trying to fall asleep at night, instead of going through a mental to-do list like I frequently do, I've been working on visualizing my kata's.  You have to know the material well enough first to do this; but visualization is a great tool for committing kata (or anything else for that matter) to memory.  It helps you work out the details.  It also helps with application (bunkai).  If you can visualize yourself doing something, you'll be better prepared if you have to take action.  This is great mental training for self defense.  Lately there's been a lot of talk about this in the karate blogging world. 

John of Martial Views, (or the karate yoda as I affectionately call him) posted about this imagery the other day.  Mat is also a good read for understanding the martial arts journey.  He's really good at seeing the big picture, even though he doesn't always think so himself.   He has devoted so much time to the martial arts that reading about his training regime is really quite inspiring.  I can't keep up with him; but reading about what he's doing makes me at least want to try.  At Taming The Horse Stance, you can also read about this visual imagery.

Everyone has a different reason for taking up the martial arts.  For most though, the journey is as much a mental one as it is a physical one.  Lirian Fae of Karate Talk writes about her inner voice and how important it is in karate.  Karate isn't about physical conquest and domination.  The majority of people studying the martial arts don't derive enjoyment from hurting other people.  Studying the martial arts is about listening to that inner voice and about respect: respect for others, respect for the art, and respect for yourself.  It is evident by the way the majority of people treat each other in a dojo.  Karate is a state of mind, that hopefully one can translate into daily life. 

I have as much respect for the 10-year old brown belt as I do for the 50-year old white belt. Actually I have a TON of respect for that 10-year old brown belt because when I was fumbling with my belt once, she approached me and went step by step to show me how to tie it properly.  She wasn't intimidated that I was an adult; and I wasn't bothered by the fact that a 10-year old could correct me on something.  I often joke about being one of the oldest ones in my class, but stature aside we're all really in the same boat and working towards a common goal. 

The Ultimate Work Out Recipe

Ingredients:

• One afternoon of shopping
• One 7-month old who hates her stroller with a passion
• One 5-year old who loves the stroller with a passion
• One baby wrap to hold non-conforming-to-stroller baby

Instructions:

Place 17 lb. baby in wrap.  Allow persistent 5-year old to sit in the stroller that is now unoccupied.  Proceed to push stroller containing 43 lb. 5-year old around the mall for about three hours.  Only allow her out to try on clothing.  When trying on clothing commences, do deep squats with baby still attached snugly in wrap.  Hold out arms parallel to the ground as you hold up shorts that 5-year old is taking her good ole time getting in.  Feel arms start to burn, similar to the feeling obtained when hanging a new shower curtain.  Practice resistance training as 5-year old balances all of her weight with her hands on your shoulders while you're still in the process of squatting and holding arms parallel to the ground. . . still waiting for the child to put her feet in the HOLES ALREADY MOMMY'S ARMS ARE KILLING HER.  Pull shorts up as child squirms and complains.  Repeat try on process three more times.  Proceed to cashier; continue holding arms straight out in an attempt to keep 7-month old from obtaining money which would be prompty devoured.  Deep squat to put new purchase in the cargo bag of stroller.  Proceed to walk down the mall corridor, occasionally doing the deep squat to obtain baby sock that has been removed, sucked on, and thrown in an attempt to free her feet and also make sure that Mommy gets her exercise. 

At completion of shopping excursion, load both children into car.  Because your back wasn't completely thrown out after carrying 17 lb. baby for three hours on your stomach/chest, fold the SUV of strollers and lift into trunk.  While driving, reach for baby toys that are being flung onto the car floor at regular intervals and return them to baby in a futile effort to keep her entertained (this also serves as post work out stretching). 

I'd write more. . . but I need to hit the showers. 

Habits: Start one, Break one (or something)

I've told you about my work out motivated husband.  Often, he'll head off towards the basement and ask Big I if she'd like to go "work out" with him.  Their work out consists of sit-ups (or in Big I's case "lay downs" which look like she's been glued to the floor as she tries to sort of lift the back of her head maybe a half inch off the mat), push-ups (also known as stationary horsey ride on Daddy's back), a nice game of leap frog (or squats according to my husband), and pull ups for my husband (hang from the beams for Big I).  My husband defends this "work out" as a good one for both of them. 

Today, my husband when to the gym.  Lil C was sleeping and after reading all of your comments and emails saying how motivating I am. . . I figured I better fit the part and go work out or something.  So, I told Big I that she was welcome to join me and she did.  She suggested warming up with some jumping jacks.  We did some spirited jumping jacks, followed by punches and double punches in Nai Hanchi, followed by snap kicks: obi level (belt or stomach area) and to the head on my heavy bag of course (Big I used her Scooby Doo punching bag.)  That was just the warm up. 

We then moved on to Kata one and push-ups.  At this point, Big I decided to quit and requested we play a nice game of Memory instead.  She even volunteered to get the game from the closet herself.  I told her that I was working out, and that I wanted her to work out with me.  Her response?  "No Mommy.  You're work out is way harder than Daddy's." 

Can I tell you how many ways she made my day by saying that?  My warm up is a harder work out than Daddy's?  Oh yeah, you hear that darling husband?  That was all the motivation I needed to continue with my work out.  I'm an extremely competitive person; and there's no one I'm more competitive with than my husband.   I sailed through the rest of my kata's and waza's.  I churned out my push-ups and pushed past the pain that is still haunting my arms and chest.  I did the sit-ups and even did the pilates 100 instead of plain sit-ups.  I did the squats and got to 10 without even a thought about which treat I would reward myself with afterwards. 

After I was finished, I was sweating.  I hadn't showered yet so it wasn't a problem.  Big I and I decided our post work out cool down would be a nice game of Scrabble Junior.  No cookie today. 

Despite the fact that Big I told me mine is the harder work out, deep down I know that it's because mine involves karate.  She saw me doing kata and mentally shut down.  When I was talking about her coordination the other day, I stated that I really think it's more of a paying attention issue.  Tonight, my theory proved true. 

We went to visit some college friends at their house.  These are the type of friends who make you wish arranged marriages were an option for the common folks (and I'm not just saying that because I know they read my blog religiously).  They have two awesome kids who are so incredibly sweet and fun.  Their son, a year younger than Big I, is a doll.  Our kids have never had a disagreement.  They always get along.  They usually cry or complain profusely when our little visits are over.  Their son calls Big I his "girlfriend," and we can only hope that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Back in college, we used to party with our mutual friends and shoot the you-know-what. About what, I'm not really sure.  It was college after all.  These days, we have dinner and the conversation at the "adult table" usually revolves around poop and other various bodily functions and mishaps involving our kids and pets.  After all, that is what parents talk about.  We're thinking that a wedding reception would bring back the college days if only for one glorious night.

Our friends have a large yard and enough animal friends to fill a small zoo.  Big I immediately went off with her "boyfriend" to play in the yard, visit their pet horses, and play on the new swing set.  Within five minutes, the child was screaming that she hurt herself.  I checked out the latest injury (yet another knee boo-boo) and asked her how it happened.  "Were you running?"  She says, "No, just walking."  So, I cleaned up her knee and sent her on her way. 

Fifteen minutes later, she enters the kitchen sniffling.  She'd been hit in the nose with a wiffle ball.  That issue was resolved and off she went again.  So, it was time to eat dinner and she came inside to get her plate.  My husband told her to go wash her hands in the bathroom.  Big I walks over to the pantry closet door and grabs the handle.  We all start telling her she's at the wrong door, but she continues to open the door, staring out in our direction.  We continue telling her she's at the wrong door, and she actually backs into the pantry closet and starts to close the door.  Had she not had an encounter with some instant tea and canned soups, I fully believe she would have shut the door and stood in there wondering where she'd gone wrong. 

She is a smart little girl.  She knows everything there is to know about fossils, dinosaurs, and the rotation of the Earth.  She just does not pay attention to her surroundings at all.  I'm going to continue to ask her to work out with me, in the hopes that she'll become more focused on the task at hand.  And maybe, just maybe that will translate to other things in life like avoiding close encounters with canned goods when all she's looking for is a sink and some soap.

Revenge (of the work out and other stuff)

It is amazing that I am even attempting to write a post today.  Why?  Well, writing a post requires me to lift my lap top up, and move my arms.  Both of these activities are causing some serious pain today.  You know that work out?  The one that I did for about 15 minutes?  The one that involved push-ups?  Well, if I didn't know any better, I would think I was in having a heart attack because my chest is KILLING me today, along with the arms. 

Doing that work out didn't feel like a big deal when I was in the process.  The encouraging thing is that the work out didn't really feel like anything and I'm sore, which means it was doing something it was supposed to be doing and I didn't have to feel the pain. . . at least not immediately.   Lil C is taunting me because deep down she KNOWS I hurt.  She is even more determined than usual to stand on my lap and jump, jump, jump, jump, oh, and jump.  It is causing some serious discomfort today and I'm dreading tomorrow, because the second day is ALWAYS worse than the first day after a work out. 

Despite the fact that I can hardly move my upper body, I was tempted to use my martial arts for revenge today.  My family and I were taking a walk.  As Lil C and I were crossing the street, a car driven by a teenager came around a 20 mph corner at about 60 mph.  He had to skid to a stop.  He would have hit us had I not stopped in my tracks and pulled the stroller backwards.  And then, my daughters got a lesson in profanity like no other.  My husband, who had already crossed the street, started.  After my heart moved down from the nice little nook in my throat, I joined in as well.  Their car windows were open.  I know they heard every word.  They also heard the landscaper a half block down the street from where we were who also gave them an earful. 

Had the boys retorted in any way, shape or form, I seriously think I would have dragged the driver out of his window and practiced some kata.  I was SO upset.  Fortunately, I think the driver was a little shaken himself; and I sincerely hope that our little incident and subsequent name-calling extravaganza made him think a little about slowing down.  I came home from the walk and fired off an exasperated email to our township police department who I'm hoping will do something about this very dangerous street. 

I have never wanted to use what I've learned at karate for anything other than to protect myself and my children.  I'm not the type of person to walk around and say things like, "I could kick your you-know-what."  I am not an instigator in the physical sense; Never have been-never will be.  But, in my (what seems to be to teenagers) old age, I have often fantasized about teaching a teenager (or anybody acting like one) a lesson or two, especially the ones who drive across store parking lots like the lines are there as merely a suggestion.  Becoming a Mother opens and enlarges your heart; but it also enrages your temper against those who might do potential harm to your off-spring. 

Martial Arts workout and my (poorly) adapted version

I've been watching my husband transform himself into this work out warrior lately.  Usually the New Year arrives with great expectations of being in shape by the time our beach vacation rolls around.  He starts working out, drinking these turbo shakes, and bringing home stuff from the grocery store that frankly, pretty much just scares me. . . like organic peanut butter for example.  Usually he's over it by Valentine's Day.  This year, he's not. 

Over the past few weeks, I've been feeling a little June Cleaver-ish, as in, if I don't have a cake in this house, it's just not home.  Big I and I have been meticulously trying out from scratch, cake and icing recipes.  Last week we found one that truly rocks.  It's a Hershey's chocolate cake with homemade creamy peanut butter icing.  We added chocolate chips to it for fun.  It is was delicious.  I kid you not, my husband ate exactly two slivers of that cake.  When I say sliver, I mean turn it sideways and it barely exists.  Big I and I inhaled ate the rest.  Where is this motivation coming from?  To be honest, it's starting to tick me off a bit. 

As I've said previously, I am having some motivation issues.  Nursing Lil C has taken off the weight and then some, so much so that I've had to go buy some new clothing.  I continue to watch what I eat, considering the whole gestational diabetes thing during pregnancy. And by "watch what I eat" I mean that I only eat one slice of cake instead of four.  But if I watch what I'm eating any more than I currently am, I will soon develop super powers.  As in, turn sideways, and I will disappear in the same fashion as my husband's sliver of cake.  I don't need to lose weight; I do need to tone up.  I've been looking for something I could do that would tone and tighten, and help with my karate too.  Mat suggested this workout and today when Lil C took a marathon nap after I showered, started laundry, ate lunch, read some blogs, worked a bit at my part time job and ran out of other things to do I thought I'd give it a shot.

The routine, straight from Mat's comment that he left me on another post is as follows.  His plan is in italics; what I did is in regular type:

warm up, like 5 minutes of little jumps, or running, or cycling or whatever works for you.  Move heavy bag onto mats so it won't make noise and wake up Lil C when I hit it.  Decide this is enough warming up, because Man, that heavy bag is. . . well, heavy.

Stretch a bit.  Sort of do this; kind of skip it because Lil C may wake up at any moment.  I know I'll pay for this tomorrow.

Then, the fun starts.  Is he serious?  Because I'm starting to feel an overwhelming sense of dread. 

Do a kata, or a kihon, in whatever order you learned them.  Kata one, Nai Hanchi Shodan. 

Then, 10 push-ups.  (Girl ones) because really, there's no alternative.  If there is one part of my body that doesn't ever change, it's my arms.  They are sticks; they do not tolerate man push-ups. 

Another kata  Kata two, Nai Hanchi Nidan

Then, 10 sit-ups  I did crunches.  I have a bad back after all.  I admit I may have lingered on the floor for an extra minute or twelve because it felt so good to just lay down.

Another kata  Kata 3, Wansu.  Think in head how much easier this kata is to do, now that Lil C isn't taking up a heck of a lot internal space which was seriously cramping my kicking.

Then, 10 squats  That's it?  Bring it on.  I could do more. . . 9, 10.  Yeah, I think I need a break now.  Push on, my brain says, so I do.

Another kata  Pinan Nidan

20 push-ups  Wait, did he really say 20?  20?  How will I manage to move my arms enough to even pick up my child tomorrow if I do 20?  15 is sufficient.  Yeah, 8, 9, oh 10 should be enough.  Yeah, that's good.

etc etc etc etc.  Pinan Shodan, 20 sit-ups (I actually did these) followed by Ananku (sort of, because I'm still learning it.)  Then, because they're short, I did each waza, broke a bit of a sweat and decided that was about enough for now.  After all, yesterday I didn't get a shower until 10:45 p.m.  Having achieved a shower before lunch time today?  I'm not willing to muddy it all up with sweat.  I'll save that for class later tonight. 

After 30 minutes, I swear you'll have had enough of these. Instead of squats, you can also do kicks. Like drop low, rise, kick. Always raising the repetitions. I start with ten and usually, I get to 50. By then, I'm exhausted.  Yeah, after about 15 minutes, I was pretty much ready to call it a day.

I cool down with the bike. It really is hard. But you work on your karate, train the right muscles and you need nothing to make it work except your 4 members.  My cool down was walking to the kitchen and grabbing a nice chocolate chip cookie.  [Squints eyes and glares at internet readers who are probably shaking head and judging me] What???  It was a WHOLE WHEAT cookie.  It's all good.

The hardest part is always deciding to do it...  Ain't that the truth!

good luck!  I'll need all the luck I can get, between finding the motivation, having the time (Lil C napping for more than 5 minutes) etc. etc.

I really don't know what my problem is, but I am beginning to suspect that holding a 17+ lb. baby all the time because she just got her first tooth and "Mama, Mama"-hold-me-all-the-time-because-when-you-hold-me-I-feel-better is starting to take its toll.  Did I mention that she got a new tooth in that garbled sentence there?  A tooth, as in, she has added a new weapon to her arsenal and all I can really say about it is ouch and I'm tired and ouch.  I think that Lil C is so clingy because this tooth has pretty much assaulted her sweet little gums.  She was just going through life, happy as could be, when this tooth, this miserable sharp bugger of a tooth made its very unwanted appearance.  She's just plain annoyed with it which is why the umbilical cord has apparently been reconnected. 

I'm sensing it's going to be a while before the motivation returns for Lil C to sit and play without a constant stream of Mama's affection.  I know there is a direct correlation between this reattached umbilical cord and my work out motivation.  I'm thinking that my version of the work out isn't exactly what Mat had in mind, but maybe after a few days in a row of a shower before dinner time. . . I won't actually mind sweating a bit.