Fortunately for me, I discovered martial arts over two decades ago. I never started lifting weights because I wanted to be several hundred pounds of hulked-out muscle mass. That never even appealed to me. What I did want was to be the best martial artist I could be. Also, back then I wanted to be a little more muscular. But, I remember seeing a clip featuring Bruce Lee saying, "If you're talking about combat -- as it is -- well then, baby, you'd better train every part of your body!" He was absolutely right. Fighting, and most sports, requires that we are strong all over and utilize all joint motions. Some martial artists like to idealize the arts saying that you don't need any muscle to fight. But, that's silly. Your muscles move your joints. We all use our muscle every day for every action, whether weak or strong. Without them, you'd be a helpless skeletal figure. With stronger, faster muscles you're that much less helpless in a defensive situation.
Understanding this, I began lifting to increase strength. I began lifting and would also run or jog on occasion. That exercise, coupled with regular martial arts training was quite enough to keep me very fit through the years. Martial arts, for me, has been a lifelong process of personal growth and physical fitness. One that has kept me keen in senses and has challenged me to greater heights. It's kept me well.
The point is, I can't imagine what my life, my health, would be like now at age 37 had I not chosen this path of discipline, along with my Christian faith; and, I'm not about to walk away from either one of them anytime soon.
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