Halesworth Kuk Sool

I was invited to take a trip over to Halesworth yesterday evening to see the purpose built Kuk Sool Won Dojang (training hall) and participate in the adult coloured belt class there.

It was awesome! Everyone was very friendly and welcomed me in to their group straight away.

The Dojang itself has a "magic" to it. I could feel the Kuk Sool buzz as soon as I walked in. It is fairly small and needs a lick of paint here and the odd repair there, but all these things just add to it's amazing charm. Given that it was only expected to last ten to fifteen years, when built, it's doing incredibly well as it is well over twenty!

It was fantastic training there! Not needing to constantly kick the mats into position to avoid falling down the gaps as they slipped around, was great. It was quiet too. Without the sport centre's music thumping in the background, you could actually hear the Black Belt's weapons 'swoosh' as they trained with them.

Boy oh boy was it hot in there though!!! Even though it was fairly chilly outside and with the windows open we managed to steam up the mirror - proof of a good training session, I am told ;)  and it definitely was!

It's a shame that it is so far away from us, but I will definitely be going back whenever I have the chance. It's a wonderful place to train and extra lessons are always great!

As the Kuk Sool mantra says: "I need more practice!"





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Cholesterol

I visited my Doctor yesterday to find out what kind of treatment I would be using to manage my high cholesterol.

My HDL (good cholesterol) is around 1, which is about normal. My LDL (bad cholesterol) is about 5, which is not so good.

He has prescribed me Simvastatin, so I have to see how that goes for the next month. If I have no side effects, I'll use it for three months then take another blood test to see if it's working. If it is, then I'll be on that for good.





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Up to Date

I think that pretty much brings me up to the present, although I am sure there are bits I've missed. The last six months have been insane so I'm bound to have forgotten something.




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Health

I am falling apart! :p

Just one week before the European Kuk Sool Won Championship, I managed to really hurt my right foot. Gemma and I were doing some 'light' sparring... she's vicious! She blocked one of my slow light kicks with a swift elbow to the side of my foot. It swelled up, went very purple and was incredibly painful whenever I put any weight on it.

I struggled through the Master's seminar that week and also the actual tournament itself. It has been over a month now and it still hurts from time to time.

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On the morning of our Yellow Belt grading and our first Kuk Sool Demonstration, I woke up with a strange after image in my right eye and an area of blurred vision just below my focal point. It worried me as it had been only just over a month since I had had laser eye surgery.

After the grading and the demo, we headed straight over to the opticians to get it checked out. They said they couldn't see anything and to use a few drops and let them know how it was in a week. On the Monday, they called me to check how it was, but there had been no change whatsoever. I had to quickly book off the afternoon and head over there for another look.

After three hours or so of various checks and tests they told me that a vein in my retina had haemorrhaged. Nothing to worry about, but they wanted me to head over to Harley Street in London to get it checked out asap. Nothing to worry about? But head over to our head clinic? Holy contradictions, Batman!

We managed to get the Wednesday off work and travelled over. The surgeon was great and reassured me that it should heal by itself in time. I wouldn't need any surgery, but I would have to take it easy. They were more concerned with what had caused it as the likely candidates were high blood pressure or even diabetes. The laser surgery was ruled out as a possibility as that deals only with the front of the eye. My problem was at the back.

With the threat of possible surgery lifted from my mind, we enjoyed the rest of our day in London, visiting Hamley's and Madame Tussauds. The next morning I had a doctor's appointment where my blood pressure was cleared and blood tests were arranged.

I was cleared of diabetes and some of the other possible causes they checked for, so I don't have an answer for what caused the haemorrhage. It just popped. I guess it's just 'one of those things'.

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I did, however, discover that I have high cholesterol. Unusual for my age and given my new healthy fit lifestyle, it's probably unrelated to what I eat and how much exercise I take. It is most likely hereditary as my Dad and my Granddad both have it. I have an appointment this Thursday to have a chat about it and see what medication I will have to try.




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Positive Attitude

Kuk Sool has already done great things for me and is continuing to do so, but along side it I have changed other things too. Primarily my attitude. I've been reading about improving your life, listening to Tony Robbins and Earl Nightingale, having 'White Paint' sessions with friends, and even attended a couple of seminars which were good fun.

I don't know how much of this stuff is really sinking in, but some of it definitely is, and just hearing and being around others so upbeat and excited (particularly Mr Robbins and SBN) about something as simple as 'being happy' certainly has an effect on you.

I'm so much more positive! I am enjoying my life rather than just watching it go by.

Example: My car was really starting to get on my nerves. I originally bought it as a stop gap - something cheap to run for a few months - over five years later I still had it. I hated it. Driving it was an absolute chore, especially on long distances! Whenever we had to go anywhere I would always be the last to volunteer to drive.

In February I decided to get shot of it. I looked around for something new but was adamant that whatever I got, it had to be what I 'wanted'. It had to be perfect. Right make, right model, even right colour! I umm'd and ahh'd over various cars. Liking one one week, then going off it the next.

I'd always really liked Gemma's friend's Honda Civic. Very sleek and space-y. Just my cup o'tea. But I thought it would be too expensive and I also didn't want to appear to be 'copying'. Until I thought "If that's the car I 'want', anything else is not going to be good enough. Is it?" I booked a test drive (in a new one, just for fun ;) ) and fell in love with it. I collected loads of research in to it: how expensive was a second hand one, how much new, what colours are available, what engine size did I want, 3 door or 5, etc.

Since mid-march I have been driving around in my brand new, perfect car. I actually volunteer to drive now. It's not so much having the car that has made me so happy, but having the car I wanted.

My Honda Civic Si

I'm also setting myself goals which I want to achieve... and I am!

In an earlier post I mentioned how I was unhappy with my belly. Well, now it's gone! In March I think it was, I told myself that I wanted to fit in to an old pair of jeans I had, and that I wanted that to happen by the time my birthday came around. I stuck to it. My diet had a total revamp, but I wasn't being stupid with it. I just ate healthier and thought about what I was eating. I didn't completely deny myself the odd treat.

Kuk Sool was providing PLENTY of exercise and now I am a stone and a half lighter. Those jeans are actually slightly too big! :D

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Another big change I made in June was to have laser eye surgery. I'd never have done that last year. I'd have been far too scared and worried about what if it went wrong? What if it doesn't work? But it has changed my life! Although it did keep me from sparring at the European Tournament as my eyes were still in the healing process.

Waking up in the morning and not having to fumble for my glasses to see, being able to really go for jumps and rolls at Kuk Sool without the fear of my specs flying off of my head, and being able to see my beautiful wife clearly as I kiss her goodnight. These things are priceless.

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I feel that I should include some kind of disclaimer here:

I have not joined a cult. I have not 'found Jesus'. I am not spending a fortune on 'self help' books. I am not on drugs. I am not having a break down. I am not crazy.

I am just happy :D

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Kuk Sool

The first lesson of Kuk Sool was awesome! After the warm up, SBN (Sa Bum Nim - 4th degree - Instructor) Jon took us to the side where we practised some blocking and, I think, the first part of Ki Cho Hyung. We may have even learnt a few techniques.

Gemma and I were joined by another chap - Danny, who Gemma actually went to school with. Small world, eh? He was on the Kick Start program too. Then, we were later joined by Bethany and Donna to make up our little White Belt team.

Over the next few months, I learned the Ki Bohn Soo techniques, the fundamental form - Ki Cho Hyung, various kicks and punches, as well as a few Korean phrases and words. I kicked through wooden boards as part of our first grading to earn our yellow stripes, I've learnt to fall properly, and even learnt how to do a one handed cart wheel!

In June, Danny, Gemma and I competed at the European Kuk Sool Won Tournament, held in Kings Lynn. Not only that, but all three of us came away with Gold Medals! My two out of a possible three were for:

• Ki Cho Hyung (parts 1-3) and for
• Ki Bohn Soo techniques 3, 6 and 9.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to spar due to my recent eye surgery.

Gemma received Gold for:

• Ki Bohn Soo techniques 3, 5 and 7 and for
• Sparring (against a yellow belt!)

She also got Bronze for her Ki Cho Hyung (Danny took the Gold).

Me, Gemma and Danny

I could never in a million years have thought that I would ever compete in a tournament of any kind. Neither did I ever expect to appear in the local paper's sport section. Let alone wearing gold around my neck.

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At the end of June, I graded for my Yellow Belt and even took part in three public demonstrations at local schools! In front of crowds! Something I could also never have seen me doing!

Kuk Sool has absolutely changed who I am. I am fitter. I am faster. I am more confident. I am positive. I look to what I want, but I also appreciate even more what I have - my family, my job, my house, my friends, and my amazing wife.

(I'd add "my health" but I am still falling apart, it seems. But I'm not dead yet! And I always have a smile on my face :D )

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Kick Start

WOW! I did not know what to expect. The Sports Centre was going through a major rebuild so even the entrance wasn't where I was used to it being. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement.

I can't remember exactly, but I think Helen met us at the front desk and took us round to the area of the sports hall where we would be spending the evening. I felt so out of place in my tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt, surrounded by all these 'Ninjas' in their (very cool looking) black uniforms, but everyone was so welcoming and friendly that I was soon put at ease. It wasn't at all how I imagined a Martial Art school to be. I thought it would be full of egos and big scary blokes ready to pick on the new guy and beat me in to the ground.

Not. At. All.

It was basically circuit training with an Eastern feel. We counted how many we did of each exercise with the aim of beating that target the following week. Most surprisingly... it was fun! I hadn't enjoyed exercise in... well, probably since first school when I was in the Gymnastics club. Everyone was so encouraging. There was no "That's not many." or "You could've done better you slacker.", it was all high fives and "Nice job!".

After the Kick Start class had finished, Gemma and I stayed to watch the adult Black Belt class. Jon and Helen practised right in front of us so we could see some "really cool" stuff.

I'd always fancied learning a Martial Art, but was scared and thought of myself as too old. After that evening, I was ready to sign up there and then, but we still had three more free weeks of Kick Start before Adult Coloured Belt classes resumed.




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Where to begin?

Now that I've decided to do this, I find it difficult to know where to begin.

The whole purpose of this blog is to record the ups and downs of my life so that I can look back and see where I have been and what I have done.

I guess these first few posts should just bring the blog up to speed. I turned 'the corner' at the beginning of this year, but it wouldn't have even presented itself if certain events hadn't transpired before then.

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A short while ago my wonderful wife was going through a bit of a hard time. I won't go in to any details, but she was struggling and needed to make some changes to her life.

She had always wanted to learn Ballet and there was a dance school just around the corner from where I work. She gave them a call, discovered that they did indeed do adult classes, and we went along. I sat in the canteen and watched; offering moral support but there was no way I was going to get involved.

There were only three students there (including Gemma) and the teacher. I watched through the window with a huge grin on my face as she learnt her first few simple steps. I was so very proud of her.

From there, she began other classes too. She signed up for Street Dancing, which eventually also lead to Zumba classes. Her modelling was also really starting to take off. She signed with an agency and everything was great! I watched, full of happiness and immensely proud of her as she took part in fashion catwalks, photo shoots, dance shows, and more. Her confidence was growing and growing...

Gemma Modelling
Photos courtesy of Life in Images

... as was my belly. I was happy enough, though my figure was always niggling at me from the back of my mind. It wasn't really even my figure, just my belly, and it wasn't really even that big! I had tried a few diets - they didn't work or I just couldn't stick to them. I tried exercising but I couldn't motivate myself to get to the gym. Gemma bought me a brand new bike, but it was always just quicker to take the car. Other than that, though, I was happy. My life was absolutely 'fine'.

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By January 2011, Gemma had become very good friends with a girl from dancing - Helen. I had met her once briefly after the dance show in the summer and she seemed very nice. Helen was trying to convince Gemma to go to this 'Kick start' fitness thing at the sports centre, and Gemma, in turn, was trying to convince me. Bleugh. Aerobics? No thanks!

She tried to hook me in by telling me it wasn't aerobics and that it was Martial Art-y, Kuk Sool. Never heard of it! Also, that I should meet Helen's husband (who would be there) as we "would really get on" and that we "have so much in common". I'm terrible at meeting new people. I'm friendly, but I get very shy and uncomfortable.

I wasn't going to go, but changed my mind literally at the last moment if I recall correctly.

That was 'the corner' and Gemma - my inspiration.




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