You are going to love this page.  After too many years of extra weight, I have finally discovered and implemented more balance into this area of life..  I have lost over 50 pounds and feel better than I have since my 20's.  My new lease on life began with a broken foot.  In July of 2007, I broke bones in my big toe while umpiring a baseball game.  Like many guys, I paid no attention to the problem until the pain got the best of me.  The repair required a surgery and I was told that without proper exercise, I could lose some function.  I decided enough was enough and set out to change a number of areas in my life that were working against me.  We all know these:  diet, exercise, & rest. 

     For the exercise portion I chose Mixed Martial Arts, (MMA),  as a focal point.  Here are my notes just before my first class:  (as with many portions of the site right now, I'm sharing some highlights in advance for those of you that are interested).

Mixed Martial Arts

October 23, 2007

Tonight will mark my first night in the MMA class. This is going to be a class of one, the teacher and I. Last night my son started in a group class and cannot wait for the next session. He does so well in everything. I am so happy for him.

As I begin this adventure, I want to keep track of what happens.  This is more than just a class; I believe it is a major learning opportunity. Allow me to share the background.  I went to a Catholic school that required busing across town. I a little guy, shuttled across town where it seemed disgruntled ethnic minorities made it their business to apply a daily whopping on me.

I grew up with my Mom and Grandmother and never learned to fight. I’ll never forget seeing a martial arts studio that opened up on the way to school.  I still remember these big, white flags with Eastern symbols painted in red and black.  Those flags even looked scary!  I prayed for the opportunity to go there. I never told my Mom.  My dad did not live with us and it just never happened. I remember thinking how great it would be each day as I passed by, my face pressed against the bus window.

     When I discovered the opportunity for my son to go to a Martial Arts class, I jumped right on it and signed myself up at the same time. There are no other fathers taking a class like this one as I guess they think they are too old, disinterested or both. For me, it is a chance to go back and learn what I wanted to learn as a child.

     For my son, I am hoping he learns more about his body:  more control, more respect, more understanding of how he is growing. Most of all, I hope he learns to honor his mother and how to protect himself. I do not feel this quite so much for me as I do for his mom. I feel I must earn his respect but for his mom, it just needs to be there. She does so much for all the children, I do not understand when they say or do things that do not honor her. I want my son to always be respectful.

     Today, I am hopeful. I hope that some of the anger that comes out of me will be healed. I think that sometimes because I am physically afraid that I become defensive and am not the compassionate, forgiving individual that I know is my core. We will see what happens but I have little doubt that some of my behavior is connected to these early, frightening childhood experiences.