I've been back training for a year now and it's been a crazy life-changing year at that.
I've gone farther in my career than I ever thought realistic, I've lived in one of the biggest capital cities in Europe and I have a totally different body shape.
And one of them is solely down to taekwondo.
I wasn't very fit when I started back. I remember coughing and gasping for air during my first lesson and being totally embarrassed by it - it was only the warm up!
A year of intermittent training later (I had an odd three months in the TKD wilderness for a variety of reasons) and I'm probaably fitter - in some ways - than I've been since leaving school.
My stamina has improved. My explosive anaerobic power has sharpened. And my body is - well it just looks so different. In the upper body, I have something close to the swimmers' V-shape with strong shoulders and a tighter waist.
The lower half is also more muscly in a streamlined way and the cellulite has gone (although it's never far away mind).
Why? Press-ups, punching (and holding punches), kicking, stretching, twisting, bouncing, cardiovascular work, running around.... it all adds up.
Has anyone else noticed this? And what is your most-improved 'part'?
My shoulders and arms have made the biggest visual change, but the most important for me is probably the core stability aspect - the control in the abs, back and pelvis - as I have had a lot of problems in the past with that.
Yet another good reason - if I really ever needed one! - to get out and train and give it everything :) Jx
Tags: Jinxi TKD Taekwondo Fitness Muscles
