Some say the first step is always the hardest, and that may be true for somethings, but it is not true of my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey. My first step was more of a reckless 'what the hell' moment. It all started when a women's group I was in on Facebook organized an afternoon seminar on self-defense at Victory Jiu Jitsu academy. I was intrigued and interested but unable to go. What really drew me in was the comments and chatter that happened after the seminar. There were ladies there of all fitness levels, there was someone as young as eight years old and someone in their sixties and they all loved it. I really felt like I had missed out. When Amy, the group organizer put up a post that they were trying to gauge interest in a weekly class I didn't really even have a decision to make - I was going.
Now, what you have to understand is that I am overweight - a lot - pretty close to 100lbs overweight. I had been getting to the point I was ready to make a change, but I had done the Weight Watchers, calorie counting etc. and I have conceded that that just won't work for me long term. I know because I have tried it. I lost up to 40lbs once and ended up exactly where I seem to start every time - back at the beginning - but each time with less hope than before. My inspiration really came mainly from someone that I have yet to meet in person. Her name is Betty Bevans. She has an inspiring story that tells the tale of a woman that was almost 700lbs and in an effort to save and reclaim her life she just started moving - little tiny baby steps at a time. Her message was this - one step at a time. Choose small, start making manageable little changes in your life - it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there - each day you are further along. I want to take this opportunity to say - every time I take the stairs instead of the elevator, every time I go for a little walk around the block at lunch - I think of Betty. So with Betty building up my drive and my confidence slowly inside I knew I wanted to make a change and when Amy set up the Jiu Jitsu class it was an instant click.
So how does one go from being nearly sedative to doing Jiu Jitsu? Well honestly, I just showed up and I wanted to be bad ass. To me saying "I do Jiu Jitsu" seems so awesome, so kick ass - something I would be insanely proud to talk about. Why? Because not everyone can or will do it. It also has measurable goals. I think some of my problem with working out was that it didn't have goals I wanted to work for. Being able to do the treadmill for an hour didn't really cut it for me. Learning how to flip a grown man over my shoulder, or better yet moving up the belts (way later down the road) sounded like something I could really grab onto.
After my first class I felt good - I was really proud of myself and I was very determined to learn this new skill. I hurt a little after, but it was such a good hurt. I wanted to move more all week. I even practiced in public at a playground with my kids. I made better food choices by virtue of in my mind I was "in training". Yes, I know that seems premature but I am grabbing this brass ring and holding on for dear life right now. I will be dammed to let go.
I just had my second class last night. It was with Professor Shane Rice of Victory Jiu Jitsu Academy. This class was a bit different than the first, a little more intense but I loved it. I loved every minute of it... even when at one point I started to get a little shaky towards the end. I felt strong and confident. Now, what I look like out there might be a totally different story, but inside I felt fierce. Every time he gave me encouragement or said "you're doing it" I felt more and more powerful - ever more determined to keep going. Right now, I don't care that I am not any good - I'm there. That is all that matters.
Today I feel the ache in my muscles and I can't wait for my next class. My plan is to get a little more skilled at basic movements and then join the school to take other classes. I have never wanted to move more in my life.
So I can honestly say, my first step wasn't that hard at all. I am proud that I am in the mindset to do this. I am encouraged that this is a little new obsession of mine right now. I'm going to foster it and grow it and maybe months, years from now I will read this post and think wow - I came so far. I can barely remember I day I didn't do this... yeah - that would be awesome for sure.
No comments:
Post a Comment