Archive for November, 2009
Ready, Set, Goal!
Posted by admin in Black Belt, Taekwondo on November 11th, 2009
It’s important to keep setting goals once you get your black belt, but sometimes it’s hard to come up with one. Here are some suggestions to keep you focused on your training. -Attend every regional (or national) event next year. -Test for instructor. One-steps are hardest for most people so focus on learning one belt’s worth every two weeks. -Attend 25 classes every testing cycle (that’s 300 for the year). -Work your way up to doing 100 push-ups without taking a break. -Pick out an impressive board break at the next demonstration you see and learn how to do it. -Re-learn all the old forms. -Learn the meanings of all the forms. -Start jumping rope. Work your way up to ten minutes a day. -Travel to a nearby school and train once every two weeks. You’ll be amazed the difference it will make! These are just a few ideas to help get you started. If you still need help setting a goal ask your instructor.
Time to be Thankful
The holidays are a time to be thankful. Unfortunately they are also a time to gain weight. The average American gains almost 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Everywhere we go everything is about food and there never seems to be enough time to squeeze in a quick workout. This year, redefine what the holiday season means and make it about spending time together as a family. Here are some suggestions to help get you moving without sacrificing quality time.
-Take a Taekwondo class! A number of schools will offer a holiday special that makes it affordable for you to try martial arts as a family. You can even burn up to 800 calories in one hour-long taekwondo class!
-Instead of watching football start a game up on Thanksgiving. That extra movement will make dinner taste even more delicious.
-On a tight budget this year? Volunteer your time as a family working at a local charity instead of making a donation in someone’s name.
-Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog when they’re out of town, or see if you can foster a dog through your local SPCA so they don’t have to spend the holidays in a kennel!
-Skip the fake tree this year and find a local tree farm where you can walk around and pick out your own (or get a second tree).
-How many benefits have you and your children gotten from taekwondo? Give that same gift to someone else instead of a video game.
Keeping active will certainly help, but make sure you watch your portion sizes too. Check back soon for our next blogpost on what to eat during the holidays!