|
|
| Author |
Message |
troutkick
White Belt
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 2
|
 Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: Advice for middle age student |
 |
|
| Hello everyone, this is my first post. At the tender age of 52 I have started studying Traditional Karate, which has been a dream of mine since high school. I am overweight, but once had great upper body and leg strength from my background in distance running and rock climbing. I know to loose weight and go slow, and I am asking for any advice and suggestions for someone of my age bracket. My biggest fear is to suffer a serious injury that would end my young MA career. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bushido_man96
KF Sensei
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 12059
Location: Hays, KS
Styles: Taekwondo,Hapkido, SCA Combat, and I research Medieval Combat
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The best information that I can give you is to listen to your body. If something doesn't work for you, try to alter it a bit to make it work. If joints start to hurt, see what you can do to fix it. Take your time, and don't rush things.
Good luck, and enjoy the journey! 
_________________
Success is where preparation meets opportunity.
www.chiefswarpath.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ying&yang
Purple Belt
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
Posts: 513
Location: melbourne
Styles: JKD , and 15 others
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Advice for middle age student |
|
|
| troutkick wrote: |
| Hello everyone, this is my first post. At the tender age of 52 I have started studying Traditional Karate, which has been a dream of mine since high school. I am overweight, but once had great upper body and leg strength from my background in distance running and rock climbing. I know to loose weight and go slow, and I am asking for any advice and suggestions for someone of my age bracket. My biggest fear is to suffer a serious injury that would end my young MA career. |
The best thing for you is to take it slow and listen to what your body is saying , dont push to hard and you wwill be fine. Also a good diet will help loss that weight.
_________________
I think that there is no 1 style , and that to truly become a great martial artist and person you must take information from where ever you can. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jay
Red Belt
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 795
Location: England
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I personally think you should get back into your distance running. It will help you loose weight and you will be doing something you have done before and it will also suppliment your MA. Buy a good pair of running shoes and just get out there and take it easy at first. After a few weeks of this and martial arts you will feel a lot fitter which will obviously reduce your chances of getting injured.
_________________
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”
Bruce Lee |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tori
Orange Belt
Joined: 27 Jan 2008
Posts: 109
Styles: shotokan
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think 52 is still young and it is great that you have gotten into Martial Arts. You will not regret it at all. Most instructors will ask new students to do and learn at their own pace, but set small goals to achieve weekly (like I am going to do 5 more pushups than last week). No one is going to expect you to walk into a dojo and do 200 pushups and situps at white belt. However, keep in mind that you are 52 and starting any type of exercise program should be after you have sought the advice from your physician, especially if you decide to start distance running again. An undiagnosed hypertension or cardiac arrythmia could cause trouble during an extensive cardiovascular workout. I am not trying to say that you are a health risk, I am only offering this advice because you had mentioned that you were overweight. It is best to get that "a ok" from your doc to keep you safe and healthy. Good luck in your training.
_________________
Live life, train hard, but laugh often. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weedman
White Belt
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Canada
Styles: Goju Ryu
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Like troutkick I also just started MA at the age of 46 with no prior background at all. I am in pretty good shape though as a competitive paddler and cyclist. However, regardless of my fitness level and that I have been a lifelong athlete, I can honestly say that I have never experienced such agonizing muscle pain as I did after my first takedown sparring session! Perhaps as a result of being full of adreneline and desire to show my sensei that I have actually learned something in the last 6 weeks, I probably went at it a little hard. Lesson learned...I'n not in my 20's and I need to take things a little slower! Regardless, the pain feels good, in its own weird way, and lets me know that I am really doing something different. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
white owl
Orange Belt
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Styles: shotokan
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We have 2 older kyu's in our dojo. We tell them to do what they can, but one of them takes advantage over it because the person does not attend class regularly and complains about it.
The point I'm trying to make is attend class regularly and do what you can and build on it then it will get easier. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NewEnglands_KyoSa
Pre-Black Belt
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 907
Location: New England
Styles: Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do , Chinese Kempo
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
its like one of my basketball coaches once said
"do what you can do, but that's it. don't try to be someone you're not, because that's where you'll screw up, or get hurt, or hurt others. play within yourself, and within your abilities."
_________________
"Smile. Show everyone that today you're stronger than you were yesterday." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
white owl
Orange Belt
Joined: 29 Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Styles: shotokan
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Good advice NewEnglands_kyosa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NewEnglands_KyoSa
Pre-Black Belt
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 907
Location: New England
Styles: Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do , Chinese Kempo
|
| Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| white owl wrote: |
| Good advice NewEnglands_kyosa. |
Thanks White Owl!
my coach was a brilliant man. that quote has always stuck with me.
_________________
"Smile. Show everyone that today you're stronger than you were yesterday." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
on the post.
