Disclaimer: shirtless man below
So, two years ago (say, Spring of 2011 I could run about a half a mile before my shins and lower back would stop me in my tracks. I thought I just couldn't run because I wasn't in my teens anymore or something. At this point, I'd been practicing Kyokushin for about 6 months after 4 and a half years of Aikijutsu, and had actually competed once in KK(see my comp footage if you want to see my big ass get owned in that one). Through Kyokushin a couple times a week, I was becoming stronger, but my otherwise sedentary habits and poor diet were keeping me overweight with terrible endurance.
Skip a few months ahead to Labor Day weekend of 2011, and I'm on a week and a half trip that I planned around being able to come to the Mega in Boston. But, before Boston was Cape Cod for 3 days, where THIS picture was taken:
![Click image for larger version.
Name: fat me.jpg
Views: 33
Size: 24.8 KB
ID: 14727]()
I look like my late grandpa Jack. This was the picture which started a long process (my shifts always take time) of change for myself. I was looking at this trip pic about 6 months later (my shape hadn't improved much), and decided I really needed to try running again. I have two good friends who run, and they'd been trying to get me started. The first time I went out, I found that the added strength from Kyokushin allowed me to now go a bit without my legs and back failing me, so I started forcing myself to run. To further motivate myself, I entered myself into the local annual Warrior Dash August of 2012, so I knew I had to at least be in good enough shape for that.
Anyway, over the Summer and into last Winter, my shape started to change, to where I was holding around 202 lbs, instead of the 220 I was carrying in the picture. I certainly felt better, but mostly, I started to LIKE running. Leading up to this years' northwest Kyokushin tournament, I decided I'd actually take a run at under 180 lb, to try to go down to middleweight. I'm 32 at this point, and the last time I was under 180, I was probably 19 or so. I decided to increase my running to about 15-20 miles a week and adapt a personal version of Tim Ferris' "slow carb" diet (I'm sure you can google it).
And......I made it. Weighed in night before the tournament at 178.9.
![Name: Skinny me.jpg
Views: 146
Size: 46.8 KB]()
Now, I seem to be holding around 186 (which is what I want), and I feel better than I have in quite a long time.
The point is.....run!!! Learn to love it (you will, if you keep on it). Also, you can absolutely find ways to eat stuff which fills you up, but doesn't slowly kill you.
So, two years ago (say, Spring of 2011 I could run about a half a mile before my shins and lower back would stop me in my tracks. I thought I just couldn't run because I wasn't in my teens anymore or something. At this point, I'd been practicing Kyokushin for about 6 months after 4 and a half years of Aikijutsu, and had actually competed once in KK(see my comp footage if you want to see my big ass get owned in that one). Through Kyokushin a couple times a week, I was becoming stronger, but my otherwise sedentary habits and poor diet were keeping me overweight with terrible endurance.
Skip a few months ahead to Labor Day weekend of 2011, and I'm on a week and a half trip that I planned around being able to come to the Mega in Boston. But, before Boston was Cape Cod for 3 days, where THIS picture was taken:
I look like my late grandpa Jack. This was the picture which started a long process (my shifts always take time) of change for myself. I was looking at this trip pic about 6 months later (my shape hadn't improved much), and decided I really needed to try running again. I have two good friends who run, and they'd been trying to get me started. The first time I went out, I found that the added strength from Kyokushin allowed me to now go a bit without my legs and back failing me, so I started forcing myself to run. To further motivate myself, I entered myself into the local annual Warrior Dash August of 2012, so I knew I had to at least be in good enough shape for that.
Anyway, over the Summer and into last Winter, my shape started to change, to where I was holding around 202 lbs, instead of the 220 I was carrying in the picture. I certainly felt better, but mostly, I started to LIKE running. Leading up to this years' northwest Kyokushin tournament, I decided I'd actually take a run at under 180 lb, to try to go down to middleweight. I'm 32 at this point, and the last time I was under 180, I was probably 19 or so. I decided to increase my running to about 15-20 miles a week and adapt a personal version of Tim Ferris' "slow carb" diet (I'm sure you can google it).
And......I made it. Weighed in night before the tournament at 178.9.
Now, I seem to be holding around 186 (which is what I want), and I feel better than I have in quite a long time.
The point is.....run!!! Learn to love it (you will, if you keep on it). Also, you can absolutely find ways to eat stuff which fills you up, but doesn't slowly kill you.