Losing weight is hard. Exercise is hard. I know all too well - I've tried a hundred times. This time, though, I was successful. This blog is the story of how I did it. If you are new here, welcome! Start with the About link, and then dive in to the archives. (Read more)
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I've been dreading this day for months. Months and months, ever since I knew what was in store for me. When you train Muay Thai at the school I do, you test every two months. Once you attain a certain rank, you have to start endurance rounds against an instructor. You have a set amount of kicks and knees to get in - during a very small window of time. I knew my time was this month, and I knew that I didn't want to do it. I was hoping that it would be during the Blogher conference so that I could skip it. No such luck. It was this week. Up until Friday, I wasn't even certain if I'd do it. It was a nerve wracking decision.
I was afraid. So, so afraid. i've seen people end this test with a bloody nose - admittedly, the first endurance round is a bit easier than the later ones, but you don't get a pass. The instructors go hard on you - and, rightly, for they don't want to just give the test over. I toyed back and forth, back and forth - should I test? After all, I was perfectly happy to attain "The DARK SIDE" - so called because once you hit a certain level, you get to train with a dark shirt and with the black belts - the classes are harder and more intense. Once I made the dark side, I was fine. I know that I'm not ever going to compete - I'm not in class for that. I'm there to keep in shape and have fun - and I LOVE to train. But the thought of going against an instructor was enough to a) keep me from eating all day and b) make me feel like vomiting through my sweaty, shaky, clammy hands 27 times before it was my turn.
But I'm determined to change. That's what this whole weight loss thing has been about. Getting into shape, staying in shape, busting the plateaus and getting over and through fears and being a stronger, better, happier person. Not only that, what kind of message would I be sending to my girls if I was too scared to do something that I'd expect them to do? Not only THAT, but the stupid thing would be hanging over my head until next month, and I'd have to go through the same thing ALL over again. So I did it. I put on my big girl panties and did it. Below is the video, and a bonus video of my Emma, who had her very first test today.
Two notes: I disappear towards the end. I didn't leave the floor for a drink - I dropped my hands like an idiot and got knocked down. I really don't think I did well, but I promised someone that I'd share it, and I keep my promises. Also, Emma is introduced as one of the the "Staicer clan" - her instructor says "there's like 8 of them here." Nope - just four.
