My Crazy Zen Lifestlye

I decided to write this blog as I wanted to create a positive place to talk about what I have been going through for the past 11 months in working to achieve my black belt. Just to give a bit of background, I am a 39 year old mother of three boys, ages 9 and 5 (yep I have twin boys, it is not a typo). I have also been married for almost 13 years now. My journey learning karate started when I had put on about 50 pounds within a year and just felt so down about myself and stressed out. I had started a new job, my mom passed away a few months before after a long illness and then I found out I had a small cancerous tumor on my thyroid which required surgery to remove about 70% of my thyroid.  I was having a tough year.  I was depressed and barely functioning as a wife, mother and employee.

Then one day in September I was sitting in the parent section of Action Karate in Feasterville (and everyone who has ever been there knows exactly where I am talking about) watching my oldest son at class, feeling just sorry for myself, and I saw one of the owners coming out of her office. I had become friendly with both owners, Mr. Brenner and Ms. Jacque, during my time sitting in the seats as they would come around and mingle with parents on a regular basis. At that moment I realized, I needed to make a change. If I didn’t start working out on a regular basis and getting in better shape, I would never make it to see my three boys grow into men. I was scared about maybe starting karate as it is well known to my family and friends that I am NOT the most coordinated person in the world. I previously badly sprained an ankle stepping out my front door, broke a toe stubbing it on a kitchen chair and, most famous of all, broke all 5 bones in the middle of my right foot falling down 4 stairs(steps?) in my house and now have a lovely steel plate and several screws holding that foot together (you should see me when I go through a metal detector). So I was not sure it would be the best (and safest) for me or those around me if I started karate but thought, why not give it a shot. So, I went over to Ms. Jacque and asked to speak with her privately. We sat down; I told her my tale and asked if she thought karate would be for me. She was so supportive and positive, I was nearly blown away! Truly there cannot be this positive a person in the world such as she is (and over time, as I will share in this blog, she truly is one of the most positive people out there and I feel privileged to call her a friend). She suggested I come back with a private lesson with her to see what I can do and see if it was for me. I came back a few days later and had the lesson with her and another black belt instructor and I was hooked! I had so much fun just doing kicks, blocks and punches, I could not get enough! Not only that, but Ms. Jacque and her partner were so supportive, encouraging and patient with me; I never felt so safe and secure in a work out setting. Ms. Jacque suggested I take the adult class right after and see how I felt. Well, 50 minutes later, I was exhausted, sore but so happy with myself that I got through the class.  I felt like I could jump over the moon!  Now, here I am 11 months later, taking class twice a week, training for my black belt (and even trying to double belt, which I will explain later) changed my eating habits and I have lost 40 lbs.!

 My goal here is to share how I lost the weight by changing my diet and training; the trials and tribulations related to training for a black belt while approaching age 40 (you want me to do WHAT with my leg!?! You realize it doesn’t bend like that anymore, right?!) but, most importantly, how training for a black belt has changed my overall outlook toward my life and given me a more positive thought process toward my job, my life, my family and how I want to treat everyone I interact with. Karate has given me the power to believe in myself and that I can accomplish ANYTHING I set my mind too, even competing in an intense mud run in six weeks (you want me to jump off of what and land in icy cold water!?! Say what now!?!).

I have three sayings I hold dear to my heart (and one of them I got from my good friend Ms. Donna) which are:

1.      If I can do it, then you certainly can do it!

2.      Never quit, never surrender!

3.      (from Ms. Donna) Pain is temporary, quitting is forever.

 I hope you will join me on this journey and follow along as I strive to achieve something a year ago I never thought possible, earn my black belt!!! you can check me out and like me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/goingforablackbeltmom or directly on my webpage at http://goingforablackbeltmom.wordpress.com/

Ms. Nicole.