Five Inches (and Counting)

It could actually be more; I didn’t keep close track.

I have lost five inches around my waist since joining the dojo about nine months ago. To be fair, I had dropped some weight prior to starting karate, but not a lot; and I don’t know from where. Also, I’m going on what I remember my largest waist measurement to be—I may have been even wider.

The process has actually been pretty easy. As part of our warmups, we do a fair bit of what Sensei calls (in the kid’s class) “tummy happiness” work. Even though it’s been painful and challenging, I’ve focused on doing them with good form first and foremost, and as I’ve gained strength, my focus shifted to doing them deeper and faster.

I have not been starving myself—I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my training if I didn’t eat enough. I suspect I’m taking in more calories these days, but other than the occasional alcoholic beverage or dessert, I’m eating more nutritionally dense foods. I drink a lot more water than I used to, which seems to be an important part of the equation. Last, I’m sleeping better, which if memory serves has recently been shown to be an important component of losing weight.

Other parts of me would probably show similar progress, if I’d had a clear beginning point recorded. But the numbers aren’t the most important things to me: I’m stronger and more flexible than I’ve been in years. My “fat girl” clothes no longer fit me; I feel like I’m swimming in them. The best part of all is that I’ll continue to improve as I keep training. Since I enjoy training enormously, I see nothing but win ahead for me.