Ding, ding, ding Round 1

September 3, 2006 by Black Belt Mama · 14 Comments
Filed under: BBM Challenge, Work it out

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.

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Chicken

September 3, 2006 by Black Belt Mama · 3 Comments
Filed under: BBM Challenge, Work it out

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?

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Black Belt Mama’s Challenge

August 25, 2006 by Black Belt Mama · 13 Comments
Filed under: Work it out

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!)

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.

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If you can see it, you can do it

May 24, 2006 by Black Belt Mama · 11 Comments
Filed under: Work it out

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.

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The Ultimate Work Out Recipe

May 13, 2006 by Black Belt Mama · 10 Comments
Filed under: Work it out

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.