A friend of mine asked me to post some of my reasons for doing or enjoying Karate, so I will try my best.
First and foremost, it was something we could do as a family. I didn't want to be a "soccer mom" or something like that...where I would sit for 2 hours on the sidelines instead of working out. I am probably the one in my family who needs excercise the most! ;-) We are progressing as a family, and even thought the kids complain sometimes...we are in it together.
Secondly, I have a sense of strength and acheivement. I started Karate at 32 and now have my yellow belt, and no reason why I can't get my black belt within the next few years if I keep at it. How cool is that?! I have been pleasantly surprised. I also feel more secure/strong...like I could take care of myself if I ended up in a situation where I absolutely had to.
Thirdly, I like what Karate stands for. It is used for self-defense only and has several "rules" that I believe are totally compatible with my faith. At least, I have found verses in the Bible that could match with each one of the following:
Hitotsu (means "one", and they are all numbered as such since they are all equally important)
Hitotsu: Seek perfection of character
Hitotsu: Be faithful
Hitotsu: Endeavor
Hitotsu: Respect others
Hitotsu: Refrain from violent behaviour
The classes held in the dojo consist of students of all levels. The more senior members help train the lesser level members by example. I don't have to worry about "performing" or sparring because we don't do those things until we are ready. For example, as a yellow belt, I spare with my peers, but at this level, the sparring is "promised". It is like a set routine so we know exactly what is coming and how to react. As we progress to a higher level the sparring will become more free...but by then we will have enough training so we will know how to react. Furthermore, I don't need to enter tournaments in order to pass my levels.
I also like the fact that this is teaching my kids discipline and respect...and perserverance. It also provides us with community. We spend a lot of free time with the members of our dojo, which is a cool side benefit.
Need I say more? If your doctor says you are fit, I would recommend this martial art to anyone.
Click here to view our dojo Homepage
Saturday, September 02, 2006
School has begun!
Friday, Sept. 1st
Exercise (5/6): 60 squates, 14 yoga push ups
The kids (and Colin) started back to school today. I had the day off because I assumed the kids would be coming home at 11 or 12...but they had a regular day of classes! So I had the day to myself! So, I purged the house of summer holidays and cleaned my arse off! I think that should almost count as my workout...;-)
The weather is also definitely cooling off here. I am feeling chilled when the weather dips below 28˚C on the odd day. It is still usually in the 30's unless it rains, but the nighttime temp. is getting lower. Yeaah!
Today, Sept 2nd
Exercise (6/6): Cliff jumping at the Neo River
Yes, we went again. And we are taking the Seino Region JET ALT's next weekend! There should be about 20 of us. It is now our daisuki (大好き) {favourite} place in Japan! :-)
Exercise (5/6): 60 squates, 14 yoga push ups
The kids (and Colin) started back to school today. I had the day off because I assumed the kids would be coming home at 11 or 12...but they had a regular day of classes! So I had the day to myself! So, I purged the house of summer holidays and cleaned my arse off! I think that should almost count as my workout...;-)
The weather is also definitely cooling off here. I am feeling chilled when the weather dips below 28˚C on the odd day. It is still usually in the 30's unless it rains, but the nighttime temp. is getting lower. Yeaah!
Today, Sept 2nd
Exercise (6/6): Cliff jumping at the Neo River
Yes, we went again. And we are taking the Seino Region JET ALT's next weekend! There should be about 20 of us. It is now our daisuki (大好き) {favourite} place in Japan! :-)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Ride with Colin
Exercise (3/6): Cycling
Time: 42:53 (about 1 hour)
HR: 155
The kids were at their friends' houses so we took the chance to go for a ride together! Fun! I work way harder when he is around. The sun was about to set as we finished up. I was cursing the wind while riding but it sure was nice afterwards.
Time: 42:53 (about 1 hour)
HR: 155
The kids were at their friends' houses so we took the chance to go for a ride together! Fun! I work way harder when he is around. The sun was about to set as we finished up. I was cursing the wind while riding but it sure was nice afterwards.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Back in the Saddle
Exercise 2/6: Cycling
Time: 25:21 (40 min)
HR: 150
Well that sucked!
I got up this morning and tried to put my contacts in. My eyes just about popped out of my head! I think my solution went bad in the heat...you know...the whole "store below 35˚" - thing just doesn't work here in Japan. So, now I have to wear my glasses all day.
Then I went for a ride. I got up at 6 am. Colin says, "Have fun!" and I just gave him the evil eye. Starting next week I will have to get up at 5am if I want to go for a ride, because he will be cycling to school and leaving here at 6:30 every morning! Yes, that's right...he will bike for about 1:30 one way to commute to school. (It is all bike path...he discovered a new route on Saturday). That means that before and after school I am very limited as to what I can do for a work out, unless I get up at 5 am. grrrrrrrr.
Back to my ride... I need biking shorts! I was VERY uncomfortable by the end of 2 laps and couldn't do a third. I was getting hot spots (the step before blisters) where one should not!
So, needless to say, I am off to a grumpy start today.
But hey, it is better for me than laying in bed, right? (yea, right)
Time: 25:21 (40 min)
HR: 150
Well that sucked!
I got up this morning and tried to put my contacts in. My eyes just about popped out of my head! I think my solution went bad in the heat...you know...the whole "store below 35˚" - thing just doesn't work here in Japan. So, now I have to wear my glasses all day.
Then I went for a ride. I got up at 6 am. Colin says, "Have fun!" and I just gave him the evil eye. Starting next week I will have to get up at 5am if I want to go for a ride, because he will be cycling to school and leaving here at 6:30 every morning! Yes, that's right...he will bike for about 1:30 one way to commute to school. (It is all bike path...he discovered a new route on Saturday). That means that before and after school I am very limited as to what I can do for a work out, unless I get up at 5 am. grrrrrrrr.
Back to my ride... I need biking shorts! I was VERY uncomfortable by the end of 2 laps and couldn't do a third. I was getting hot spots (the step before blisters) where one should not!
So, needless to say, I am off to a grumpy start today.
But hey, it is better for me than laying in bed, right? (yea, right)
Sunday, August 27, 2006
What a day!
It was quite the active day for us Madlands in Japan...
Exercise (1/6): 2 games of softball and then Karate
Time: each game was 1 hour (about 4 innings) and the Karate 2 hours (about 1:30)...I'm tired!
Exercise (1/6): 2 games of softball and then Karate
Time: each game was 1 hour (about 4 innings) and the Karate 2 hours (about 1:30)...I'm tired!
Strength Workout
Saturday...
Exercise (6/6): 55 squats, 12 yoga push-ups
The yoga push ups seem to be getting easier. My Karate-sensei calls them "cat stretches" cuz, well, they look like a cat stretching.
Exercise (6/6): 55 squats, 12 yoga push-ups
The yoga push ups seem to be getting easier. My Karate-sensei calls them "cat stretches" cuz, well, they look like a cat stretching.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Lovin' the River
Exercise(5/6): Cliff Jumping in the Neo River
Time: quite awhile!
Got a Canadian guest coming for dinner...gotta run!
Time: quite awhile!
Got a Canadian guest coming for dinner...gotta run!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Karate Night
Tis Thursday, so we went to Karate...
Exercise (4/6): Karate
Time: 1:30
I felt really awful tonight. I had the day off of work, just for a bit of a break with the family. But it is really hot, so I didn't eat much and we sat around all day. Then all of a sudden I was working out. I think I was dehydrated to start and so the workout just got harder. Next time, I will keep myself better hydrated...even if I am not so active.
Exercise (4/6): Karate
Time: 1:30
I felt really awful tonight. I had the day off of work, just for a bit of a break with the family. But it is really hot, so I didn't eat much and we sat around all day. Then all of a sudden I was working out. I think I was dehydrated to start and so the workout just got harder. Next time, I will keep myself better hydrated...even if I am not so active.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Starting to bike for life
I don't know if you have recently visited our family blog about our life in Japan, but we, as a family, spend a lot of time imagining and planning for our return to Canada. We have been doing a lot of thinking about our fitness, health AND (as we read the Canadian newspapers online) about the increasing obesity problem in Canada. Anyhow, long story short, we are planning to go car-free when we return to Canada.
Impossible, you say? Not at all. Click here to read more on that topic.
So, we have started the transition here in Japan. We still have a car, and are saddled with those payments for awhile, but we are trying to use it less and less. This has consequences...and they are all positive. (at least for my health...not neccesarily for my convenience!) It also means that, as I continue to become more active, I will have to become more "clear" about my exercise. When school starts, Sept 1st, the exercise that I log in here, will have to be an actual workout. Either a strength workout or aerobic (in which my Heart Rate is being monitored). I am not sure where Karate fits into this. I guess I will have to discuss that with my "personal trainer" ;-)
Exercise (3/6): Cycling (errands)
Time: about 1 hour
Impossible, you say? Not at all. Click here to read more on that topic.
So, we have started the transition here in Japan. We still have a car, and are saddled with those payments for awhile, but we are trying to use it less and less. This has consequences...and they are all positive. (at least for my health...not neccesarily for my convenience!) It also means that, as I continue to become more active, I will have to become more "clear" about my exercise. When school starts, Sept 1st, the exercise that I log in here, will have to be an actual workout. Either a strength workout or aerobic (in which my Heart Rate is being monitored). I am not sure where Karate fits into this. I guess I will have to discuss that with my "personal trainer" ;-)
Exercise (3/6): Cycling (errands)
Time: about 1 hour
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Catching Up
Okay, so, I took Sunday off. Although, I did spend 2 hours helping clean the elementary school in prep for school to start again. And we biked there and home. But I am not logging that as exercise/workout. It was a great calorie burner...but as I become more and more active, I will need to be more specific and log "workouts" as opposed to general exercise.
Monday, August 21st: Left for a 2-day Conference for new JETs in my prefecture held in Gifu City. It was only overnight so I packed light and put it on the back of my bike and biked to Ogaki city train station. I met up there with the new ALT's and we went together.
Exercise (1/6): Cycling
Time: 40 min
Tuesday, August 22nd: same exercise, only returing home!
Exercise (2/6): Cycling
Time: 40 min
Monday, August 21st: Left for a 2-day Conference for new JETs in my prefecture held in Gifu City. It was only overnight so I packed light and put it on the back of my bike and biked to Ogaki city train station. I met up there with the new ALT's and we went together.
Exercise (1/6): Cycling
Time: 40 min
Tuesday, August 22nd: same exercise, only returing home!
Exercise (2/6): Cycling
Time: 40 min
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Just made it!
This was close timing! I did the exercise yesterday, but I think the deadline is in about 8 hours from now. ;-)
Exercise: Cycling (the family and I biked to downtown to play at the castle park. It took about 40 minutes on way)
Then we took several new ALT's on a walking tour of downtown to show them where things (like the 24 hour post office/bank/ramen noodle shops etc were...since, unless they have some proficiency in Japanese, its not an easy thing to do. (I was learning new things myself yesterday, and I have been here a year! What a difference it makes to be a literate person. I look forward to that aspect of returning to Canada next year :-))
Time: 40 +40= 80 min cycling
walking a lot of the evening.
Good news! The scale shows that I am down about 2 1/2 Kilos since I started. That's about 5lbs. Small yea! (I love using Kilos when it come to HOW MUCH weight I need to lose because it doesn't seem like so much. But when it comes to reporting how much weight I have lost already...I like using pounds because is sounds like so much MORE! ;-) sheeesh, I can be such a girl!)
Exercise: Cycling (the family and I biked to downtown to play at the castle park. It took about 40 minutes on way)
Then we took several new ALT's on a walking tour of downtown to show them where things (like the 24 hour post office/bank/ramen noodle shops etc were...since, unless they have some proficiency in Japanese, its not an easy thing to do. (I was learning new things myself yesterday, and I have been here a year! What a difference it makes to be a literate person. I look forward to that aspect of returning to Canada next year :-))
Time: 40 +40= 80 min cycling
walking a lot of the evening.
Good news! The scale shows that I am down about 2 1/2 Kilos since I started. That's about 5lbs. Small yea! (I love using Kilos when it come to HOW MUCH weight I need to lose because it doesn't seem like so much. But when it comes to reporting how much weight I have lost already...I like using pounds because is sounds like so much MORE! ;-) sheeesh, I can be such a girl!)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Karate
Exercise (5/6): Karate
Time: 1:30 (It is actually 2 hours but there was a 30 min break)
It was a good steady workout tonight. We started to learned Heiyansandan. (for you Karate buffs...)
The kids did really well tonight even though it is HOT. It is especially humid tonight because of a typhoon south of us. We don't have the storm...just heavy air and sometimes a dump of rain.
Time: 1:30 (It is actually 2 hours but there was a 30 min break)
It was a good steady workout tonight. We started to learned Heiyansandan. (for you Karate buffs...)
The kids did really well tonight even though it is HOT. It is especially humid tonight because of a typhoon south of us. We don't have the storm...just heavy air and sometimes a dump of rain.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Cliff Jumping in the Neo
What a wonderful day! To beat the heat we went to the mountains for a picnic with some friends. We spent the afternoon cliff jumping and "swimming" upstream on the Neo (Nay-oh) River and then BBQ-ing supper. The Japanese sure know how to picnic! Yatta! When it got to be dusk, we finished the picnic with the children smashing a watermelon like a pinata, blindfolded and all just with the watermelon on the ground. Then we at huge chunks! After that we roasted some marshmallows and set off some small fireworks.
Exercise(4/6): Swimming/cliff jumping (which includes climbing)
Time: all afternoon
Exercise(4/6): Swimming/cliff jumping (which includes climbing)
Time: all afternoon
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
A True Cultural Experience
We travelled to Gero town in Gifu prefecture yesterday. This is what it is all about! Not a bus tour, or pre-planned trip being "touristy". We went and stayed with the family of a student of mine in their little hometown to see their ancient yearly festival. They fed us traditional Japanese food for supper...what a spread! I ate fish on a stick...literally! River fish cooked whole on a stick. I ate skin/flesh/bones...everything! (aren't you impressed, Mom?)
We saw men in towels riding on a platform representing their fire god, and later fireworks. Today we were in Takayama 高山 (means "tall mountains") and saw their local temple and walked the streets. They call it "Little Kyoto". Keep your eye on our family blog...we will post pictures and stories there.
Anyway, my exercise...
2/6: Walking all over Gero
3/6: Walking all over Takayama
Tomorrow we are going to the mountains for a BBQ with our Karate-sensei. Should be fun...and hot. I am enjoying all this fun stuff but I am starting to crave routine again. I look forward to going back to school in the regard that my workouts will be of a more consistant variety.
We saw men in towels riding on a platform representing their fire god, and later fireworks. Today we were in Takayama 高山 (means "tall mountains") and saw their local temple and walked the streets. They call it "Little Kyoto". Keep your eye on our family blog...we will post pictures and stories there.
Anyway, my exercise...
2/6: Walking all over Gero
3/6: Walking all over Takayama
Tomorrow we are going to the mountains for a BBQ with our Karate-sensei. Should be fun...and hot. I am enjoying all this fun stuff but I am starting to crave routine again. I look forward to going back to school in the regard that my workouts will be of a more consistant variety.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Obon
Exercise (1/6): cycling
Time: 45 min or so
Av Heart Rate: 157 for 26:33
No Karate today because it is the Japanese time for Obon. It is not an official Japanese holiday due to seperation of religion and state, but everyone takes it anyway. They celebrate their dead ancestors and pray to them. Often there are all night dances. All the cemeteries are lit up with lanterns/candles and other streamers and stuff.
So, I went cycling. I didn't go for long because it got dark on me! Oops. But I went all out. One direction I was flying (I thought, wow! I've improved!). Then I turned around...Dang! Riding into the wind sucks! Oh well, I guess I just have to look at it as extra exercise. I sure got my heart rate up tonight. :-)
Time: 45 min or so
Av Heart Rate: 157 for 26:33
No Karate today because it is the Japanese time for Obon. It is not an official Japanese holiday due to seperation of religion and state, but everyone takes it anyway. They celebrate their dead ancestors and pray to them. Often there are all night dances. All the cemeteries are lit up with lanterns/candles and other streamers and stuff.
So, I went cycling. I didn't go for long because it got dark on me! Oops. But I went all out. One direction I was flying (I thought, wow! I've improved!). Then I turned around...Dang! Riding into the wind sucks! Oh well, I guess I just have to look at it as extra exercise. I sure got my heart rate up tonight. :-)
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Congratulations Mixon!
I forgot to post this earlier because of my trip to Tokyo...
My son got his yellow belt!!!
Way to go my boy. I am proud of you for persevering.
Click here for the link to his podcast and some pictures if you are interested...
My son got his yellow belt!!!
Way to go my boy. I am proud of you for persevering.
Click here for the link to his podcast and some pictures if you are interested...
2 for 1
It is Saturday and so I only have one day to do 2 sets of exercise...
My hubby says I can to 2 workouts in one day...and he is a personal trainer...so we are going with that as certified permission and NOT an excuse! ;-)
So far, one workout done.
Exercise (5/6): 50 squats and 10 yoga push ups
Just before sundown, I am going to go for a ride. It is a little cooler then. That will be my sixth. I will post it later.
Hopefully, there won't be a thunderstorm like last night. The lightning was almost on top of us and the thunder was louder than the fireworks we just saw! Needless to say, our children slept with us last night!
more later...
...later
Exercise 6/6: We had thunderstorms all afternoon! Anyway, just before dark we rode our bikes to the elementary school and played some soccer, then biked home.
Light but fun. The point was, we were moving!
Time: 30 minutes
My hubby says I can to 2 workouts in one day...and he is a personal trainer...so we are going with that as certified permission and NOT an excuse! ;-)
So far, one workout done.
Exercise (5/6): 50 squats and 10 yoga push ups
Just before sundown, I am going to go for a ride. It is a little cooler then. That will be my sixth. I will post it later.
Hopefully, there won't be a thunderstorm like last night. The lightning was almost on top of us and the thunder was louder than the fireworks we just saw! Needless to say, our children slept with us last night!
more later...
...later
Exercise 6/6: We had thunderstorms all afternoon! Anyway, just before dark we rode our bikes to the elementary school and played some soccer, then biked home.
Light but fun. The point was, we were moving!
Time: 30 minutes
Thursday, August 10, 2006
I'm baaaaaack
Yep, I am home. I am exhausted. I had a great time.
I sure don't recover from long hours as fast as I used to when I was younger...
Monday:
Exercise 2/6: Walking all over Shinjuku, Tokyo. Put on some walkin shorts and sweated it out. Went with a friend to a restaurant that served macrobiotics. It was all natural, no gluten, no dairy, no meat. It was delicious! (and expensive). This friend (whom I had met 2 days before) told me she lived in Scotland for a year and did a lot of walking and hiking. Since then she has lost 90 lbs!!! Wow! What an inspiration.
Tuesday:
Exercise 3/6: Again, more walking! I fully understand why people who live in metropolitan areas and get around by transit have less weight issues!!! You do A LOT of walking!
Went to the Canadian Embassy this evening. I got a little veclempt (sp?) and then ate too many chips. (yes, I am way an emotional eater!)
I got some beautiful pictures there. I will post them on our family blog...
Afterwards, I went on the town with a bunch of my co-workers. What a hoot.
Wednesday:
Working on about 3 1/2 hours sleep, I rounded up the new Assistant Language Teachers for my prefecture and helped to bring them "home" on the bullet train. Then, guess what I did?
I slept.
No exercise this day.
Thursday:
Right back at it. I went to work today. (so did the newbies)
Unfortunately we had to be "genki" (lively, happy etc..in Japanese) and do English Workshops for students at the international center. That takes energy...
(Begrudgingly) Exercise 4/6: Karate
And for the record...it is 37˚C today.
I sure don't recover from long hours as fast as I used to when I was younger...
Monday:
Exercise 2/6: Walking all over Shinjuku, Tokyo. Put on some walkin shorts and sweated it out. Went with a friend to a restaurant that served macrobiotics. It was all natural, no gluten, no dairy, no meat. It was delicious! (and expensive). This friend (whom I had met 2 days before) told me she lived in Scotland for a year and did a lot of walking and hiking. Since then she has lost 90 lbs!!! Wow! What an inspiration.
Tuesday:
Exercise 3/6: Again, more walking! I fully understand why people who live in metropolitan areas and get around by transit have less weight issues!!! You do A LOT of walking!
Went to the Canadian Embassy this evening. I got a little veclempt (sp?) and then ate too many chips. (yes, I am way an emotional eater!)
I got some beautiful pictures there. I will post them on our family blog...
Afterwards, I went on the town with a bunch of my co-workers. What a hoot.
Wednesday:
Working on about 3 1/2 hours sleep, I rounded up the new Assistant Language Teachers for my prefecture and helped to bring them "home" on the bullet train. Then, guess what I did?
I slept.
No exercise this day.
Thursday:
Right back at it. I went to work today. (so did the newbies)
Unfortunately we had to be "genki" (lively, happy etc..in Japanese) and do English Workshops for students at the international center. That takes energy...
(Begrudgingly) Exercise 4/6: Karate
And for the record...it is 37˚C today.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Tokyo
This is Colin. Kelly is currently on a business trip to Tokyo for 5 days. She informed me that her workout this morning (Sunday) consisted of 50 squats and 10 Yoga push-ups.
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