Ain't that the truth! And it's easy to slip into the Instructor mind set/lifestyle. You don't really lose skill but what you have tends to atrophy slowly and it takes special effort beyond what it used to in order to "grow" in your art. Every martial arts instructor I've ever discussed the subject with has said something similar.
Sure, warriors, soldiers, protectors, law enforcement, etc. But none of those professions necessitate a svelte, trim physique. Of all of them, soldiers are probably the only ones who's profession enforces regular fitness to any great degree.
Of course you feel this way. That's what our society has been telling you since you were born. It's a perfectly natural and normal reaction. Everyone talks about the Barbie effect and the Body Dismorphic issues that we're foisting upon our girls, but what no one talks about is that it's just as much a sham being foisted upon men as well.
Trying to get to a more healthy weight is only one element of this. Another is to actively avoid reinforcing artificial body image stereotypes.
Because not all martial arts are about being "fit." At least not by Western standards. They're about hurting people and breaking their toys. Often being "fit" can facilitate those goals. Sometimes it's irrelevant.
Quick Question:
I'd just like to know how in the hell they got my picture on the cover of that WC DVD!
Research into the old gladiators diet showed them to be slightly over weight and ate a high caloric diet. As already mentioned the fatty layer was vital to protect them from serious injuries when slashed and cut.
I'd just like to know how in the hell they got my picture on the cover of that WC DVD!
Com'on, be nice! You're looking at the wrong guy!
It was part of their tradition and culture.
He's not real.
We appreciate the compliment. We're glad that you feel you can be more honest here than elsewhere. You're among friends.
I know. Like I wrote, it's common.
If you look in the Heavy Weight divisions, you'll see more than one fighter with a bit of love-handles.
That sucks. My wife is a State Certified Counselor. Through her, I've learned a lot about many of these sort of difficulties. You know there's something deeper which is troubling you. The Internet isn't the right place to try to identify and treat it. If you really believe this is an issue for you, please try to find someone who can counsel you. Sometimes your Church will have free counseling services for members.
It can feel cathartic but it probably doesn't help in the long run except for occasional personal revelations such as you think you might have just had.
+1 on this. Most instructors are willing to work with folks.
And again, on this too.
Probably a lot. As was observed earlier, you don't get elected to be the leader of the Mongol Horde. Looking like a body builder doesn't mean much. A lot of football players, while obviously strong and possessing a lot of endurance, are not that ripped and cut. Also, look at the physiques of Vaslily Alexeyev in his prime and compare him to Mr. Universe/Olympia (any year). If you picked the stronger man by the cut of his physique, you'd have picked the wrong man.
Keep him. I'll take Big Van Vader.
