Last week Ry posted on the 100 Push Up Challenge that we are both doing.


Well, it's now week 2 day 2, and things are going pretty well. I have been able to do each set as recommended, but no more than the minimums.



I am really enjoying this challenge. I am excited to see if I can make it at the end and am very proud of how much I have improved already. Doing 100 consecutive pushups has been a goal of mine since fitness tests in middle school gym class.


Another goal of mine has been to get a blackbelt in some type of self-defense Karate. I started doing Tiger Schulmann's Karate in Connecticut but didn't have a chance to progress beyond a white belt (beginner, lowest level). During college there were many martial arts clubs, but they were all more formal and stylized; I wanted something physical with grappling and self defense! ever since I stopped going to TSK, I have been wanting to get back into the martial arts. I enjoy the confidence, flexibility, and core strength these types of exercises bring - it really is amazing how much of a full mental and physical workout it really is.


Randomly the other day I found a local dojo walking distance to the apartment - Northeastern Martial Arts. It's located in the back of a plaza I often go to, but I just never saw it there.

The school offers self defense classes in styles including Kendo, Jujitsu, Bujitsu, and Okinawan Karate. I am interested in the Okinawan Karate. I went in and got some information on the classes and program, and it sounds really exciting.


So, after doing tonight's round of the push-up challenge I made a promise to myself:




I am going to start karate again tomorrow.



I am tired of putting things off, especially health related things. Karate is fun and a fantastic work out - and the classes are designed to accommodate working adults. So I have the class schedule and phone number, and tomorrow from 8-9 I will be starting again.




Photos curtesy of: The Okinawin Karate Club, and With Fitness and Health.