I'll start with a bit about myself.

I am a 22 year old, 5'3/5'2, 70kg, female martial artist. I practice taekwondo and hapkido, a yellow belt green tag in both. I started just over a year ago, but have only taken it seriously (and this is the actual start time for me because of that) within the last 6 months.

When I started, I was about 84kg, and went to a one hour class of hapkido once a week. Now I practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday for two+ hours, both taekwondo and hapkido, and when I can I go to the Monday and Friday one hour+ lessons for beginners. You can see why I don't consider my real start date until much later, when I was much more active in martial arts.

Within the last 6 months, I've graded from white belt to yellow belt, and yellow belt to yellow belt green tag. I've also competed in my first tournament, and won a gold and bronze medal.

My goal is to be a world champion taekwondo fighter by the time I am 27. The clock is ticking.

This blog is for me to get down all the tips that have helped me progress, and any other thoughts about my progression in general. Maybe they'll help others, maybe I'll look back and use these notes for if I ever start teaching classes as a black belt. Maybe it's just cathartic! Either way, let's start!

Currently...

I want to lose 10kg. I've been told this will help with speed and stamina. I'm pretty muscular, and beyond the initial 14kg, I'm finding dropping more weight hard. Doesn't help that I've just had an eye operation (last Thurs), so I've had to stop going to the gym.

My red belt friend told me he usually gets up an hour earlier than necessary, before work, to do some body weight work. I got up extra early today and only managed a warm up, 10 press ups and a 60 sec plank. I think I need a regime. Still, a little is better than nothing. Two boiled eggs for breakfast. Protein all the way.

We'll see how I feel tonight after hapkido.

Another tournament taking place this Sunday, I need to get my sparring up. There is a lot to work on.