Determined To Succeed

O.K., I know I’ve been a bit of a movie geek with you guys lately (although I do not apologize for it at all – smiles), and I know I’ve mentioned it before, but you all remember the original “The Karate Kid,” right? In the film, Daniel-san (Ralph Macchio) finally gets fed up with Mr. Miyagi’s (the late, great Pat Morita) seemingly selfish and self-serving requests to “wax on, wax off,” “sand the floor” and “paint the fence.” Daniel-San asks “when am I gonna learn Karate?” Mr. Miyagi, in his infinite wisdom, grumbles a bit but acknowledges that it’s time for Daniel to learn what he has been really doing and shows him exactly how much karate he’s actually learned doing all those things. That’s when Daniel-san put it together, the meaning of it all. How doing one thing builds to other things and how, when all the pieces are put together, your mind has been opened to something new and something wonderful.

Or, as Hannibal says in “The A-Team,” “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Even though I am in no way, shape or form frustrated with my martial arts sensei, Doug Shaffer, yesterday’s instruction was that big “a-ha” moment for me. Noooooo, not the A-Ha who sang “Take On Me” in the 80s (although that is an awesome song and video). I mean it was the class that showed me the practical applications of all the moves I have been doing. For example, how rocking back and forth on my back, kind of like a turtle on its shell, keeping a target in sight actually is not only a great ab exercise but allows you to control how close an aggressor can get to you using your legs. Then, how these killer ab exercises we started yesterday actually help complete that control by allowing you to build muscle to use those legs to fight off said aggressor.

I’m not gonna be defending myself against “sweep the leg” or doing the crane move or anything from “The Karate Kid” but it shows that the things I’ve been learning all build, not just in increased health and strength but also in skill. In the five weeks I’ve been doing martial arts I am already seeing results both in health and in physicality. But now I get to add that “a-ha” moment to it all, that one more thing that can help me push through the sweat I am adding to the blood, sweat and tears story of that mat to get to my goal.

Weight loss is the same thing. You eat less calories. Groovy. Then, you exercise. Groovier. Put those two together and you lose weight. That may be simplistic but that’s why both have to work in tandem. That’s the plan, and not doing them together means you will be frustrated. Believe me, I know as I tried both for years separately and that’s part of why I failed before 2005. Before I finally got it. Before I said “a-ha.”

When we put work aside and jump into the weekend we have to put the things we learn to use over the two days of being away from our routine. In other words it is the time to put that plan and those disciplines we learn into action in the real world. I know it’s hard to avoid the Auntie Anne’s pretzels in the mall, or the burger with fries on the run between running from the store to the dry cleaners, but it must be done. It’s time to set aside time for yourself to get in at least ten minutes of exercise, too.

When I left the class yesterday I was invigorated. Not just because I get to kick the bag or punch out my week’s frustrations, but because I “got it.” I got the “why” you do the exercises you do and for my inquisitive brain, it helps, as do seeing the results every week. And when you start seeing that first pound or two come off (or see more pounds come off) you will have those moments, too, of understanding. This is all a process and sometimes it’s a slow one, I know. But it all does mean something. It all does show results and it all does come together for your own plan.

In time you will see that, my friends. You will.

In the meantime, keep on keeping on, especially over the weekend. And remember to “wax on, wax off,” “sand the floor” and “paint the fence,” metaphorically speaking that is. Each little thing you do is helping. Trust me. You are building to something great and awesome…you.