My last training session was on Wed, and my next won't be until Sunday. What will I do?! Go the gym. Clearly. Haha.

I don't really remember Tues, but that is okay. I don't remember a lot.

On Wed, decided to go to two classes in the evening. First time doing this. One hour karate (wadokai), and then my usual Wed session. Nathan, my younger brother and I turned up early and messed about with a basketball we found. Pretty sweet to just mess about with sporty stuff.

The wadokai guys turned up, a bunch of not very enthusiastic kids of all ages. They were all in their traditional white, and didn't understand why we'd turned up in red taekwondo kit. Or even why we'd turned up at all. The sensei (teacher) who ran the session was also a master at our own club. He appreciated us being there for support since the wadokai and taekwondo groups all fall under the same club now. We did a quick warm up, and since we (the reds) were so enthusiastic about it, the wadokai lot quickly stepped up. We went into some line work, again with such vigour that the others caught on, even the five year old yellow belt was pushing himself!

We did a bit of padwork, showing the wadokai lot how to get it done, some self defence and even some patterns. We joked around and had fun, giving the class a great atmosphere. At the end, I was given a special mention by the sensei for helping out. He says I'm well on my way to becoming a really good instructor. I don't want to be one, but I do want the paper saying that I CAN if I want/need to, haha.

After the lesson, my younger brother, Bob, and I jumped into some light contact, no pads sparring. The wadokai guys watched us with an intensity that surprised us. Sensei explained we always do that at the other club. They looked like they wanted to join in one day. Bless them.

The second lesson was straight afterwards. I don't remember too much. I remember pushing my white belt friend more and more. I am tired of her lacking attitude holding me back. I push her more and more. She was so much better than I've ever seen her at the end of the lesson. She actually was trying to pressure me. In all fairness, I shouted at her a lot. But still! Improvement!

We did some sparring, and at one point I was with Master Lloyd. He has yet 'to land a proper hit' on me, according to him, and so he always wants to fight me one-on-one. I got some hits in that he wasn't expecting and he always gets annoyed that he can't 'get through my guard' or something. I do a lot based on instinct so I don't really know, haha.




I've been very unhappy with my body and myself recently. It would appear the further I get in my martial arts, the unhappier with my accomplishments I become. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of the mirror walls at the gym and was just... almost disgusted. Which is weird because I've lost so much weight, and am a size 10 (UK), so it's not like I'm actually fat. And whilst my brain is aware of this fact, I honestly think I am fat. It's the beginnings of a mental disorder, but since I've got it under control I should be fine. It's just a mental thing, I'm sure. I'm going through a lot (I seem to say this every post), so maybe it's just stress. We'll have to see in a few weeks time. Apparently it takes 4 weeks to notice a change in yourself. So, let's shoot for that. Until then!