Lack of motivation "why even try if I'm too old/fat/slow?"

[residentrenzo]

Osu!

Well, back again after some time off. Moved again, no internet service at home but still training.

I don't feel like I'm the "always singing the blues type" here but... recently, I've been losing some motivation or ambition (whatever you wanna call it) to train. Can't really point my finger on it, as to how & why.

All I could say (or write, lol) is I having this feeling, that people who start karate older, like me... may not get the full course benefit of doing Knockdown Karate past our physical prime. Body is older, breaks and tires faster. As a late starter, I've no experience to fall back on to compensate for such lack of physical skills.

Older people doing karate I've met, they're either higher grades (brown and up) who started very young and kept at it or got back to it after several years away from the dojo. So I can't usually relate to their experiences.

I'll admit it kinda bugs me getting hit by youngsters who learn by giant steps in less than a years' training time. As for me... if it's really ok to think "too old for a striker art, switch to softer style"?

So is it worthwhile starting MA past our physical prime? Or there's a way to be able to effectively defend yourself even in old age?

OSU!

-RR

[senshido]

Osu!

You have to concentrate on what you CAN do, not what you can't.

A couple of us "older guys" have found this out the hard way, even if we are maybe "higher grades" health issues can sometimes stop you doing what you used to do.

[GJEC]

Very true

We can still enjoy being involved. I don't compare myself to a few years ago - that's depressing - nor do I compare myself to 25 year olds.

I'm just as I am today. No more no less. If I'm keeping interested and helping others, I'm happy.

Gary

[meguro]

Mar 9, 2015 21:59:02 GMT -5 residentrenzo said:

. . .

So is it worthwhile starting MA past our physical prime? Or there's a way to be able to effectively defend yourself even in old age?

OSU!

-RR

Most of us will die of old age or disease related to overindulgence rather than in a fight. Do martial arts because you genuinely enjoy it, and if in doing that you become healthier and stronger, good for you.

As to the practical aspect of older folks doing krotty, exercise, a proper diet and rest will do you more good than the number of hard sparring matches you have. If you find yourself lacking in fight skills, overcompensate with superior stamina. Keep moving; a moving target is harder to hit.

[Ros]

Hey Residentrenzo. So, I'm going to have a go at responding to your thread!

First off, what are you "too old/fat/slow" to try to do? I have found that there's no point comparing yourself with anyone else. Why would you? There will always be someone faster, stronger, thinner, better, whatever than you. Ask yourself what you are going to training for and set yourself some achievable goals. So what if you don't get the 'full course benefit' by starting later? By that rationale, no-one over a certain age would ever start anything new.

Here's the thing: you're not in competition with anyone else who goes training. It's not much of a news flash that younger people are generally more physically robust and mend quicker than older ones; doesn't mean that us oldies can't get any benefit from knockdown training now does it?

Monty and I started as complete training newbies a few years ago, way past our prime and I would say we have both got (and continue to get) a lot out of it.

Personally, I knew I was old, fat and slow so I did what I could to remedy that. I'm now old, thin and slow! Seriously though, I'm actually, old, thin and faster and stronger than I was. It's all about gradual improvement and enjoyment really isn't it?

My philosophy is improve the things you can improve and if you don't want to, that's entirely OK but don't complain about it (don't listen to Monty if he tells you otherwise ).

[monty]

Mar 12, 2015 8:43:34 GMT -5 Ros said:

My philosophy is improve the things you can improve and if you don't want to, that's entirely OK but don't complain about it (don't listen to Monty if he tells you otherwise ).

Well that's my coffee just gone across the room

[Ros]

Mar 12, 2015 10:16:36 GMT -5 monty said:

Mar 12, 2015 8:43:34 GMT -5 Ros said:

My philosophy is improve the things you can improve and if you don't want to, that's entirely OK but don't complain about it (don't listen to Monty if he tells you otherwise ).

Well that's my coffee just gone across the room

Hee hee, I should have said personal improvement-wise. Everything else is up for a complain. Loudly and often.