What and when you eat matters

Last night I did my fourth class and, instead of waiting two months like originally planned, I took the plunge by switching to the premium membership. Instead of two classes a week, I can now attend up to five. This will fuel my obsessive nature well. : )

Unfortunately, even if I go five times a week, that won't be enough for me to learn a kata in two weeks, the signup deadline for the next tournament. Although I'd like to enter just for the experience, I also want to represent the school well, so it's better to wait.

Hour 4

Warm-up: 10 x (10 jumping jacks + 1 lap)

It seemed like it would be an easy warm up; with the fast pace, I was wrong.

Zenkutsu Dachi (front leaning) stance with four blocks: Gedan Barai (downward sweep), Jodan Age Uke (upper block), Chudan Uchi Uke (middle inside), Chudan Soto Uke (middle outside)

Next with partners we practiced breaking a same side wrist grab. It reminded me of my jui-jitsu days and was quite fun.

Close: standing in a circle, each student picked an exercise (sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). Many of these were very challenging for me.

Reflection: Don't eat too soon before class. I've yet to learn the specifics of what too soon is, although last night an hour wasn't enough. Also since starting karate, I'm naturally being drawn to eating healthier (more veggies) as it gets easier to see the effects of unhealthy versus healthy foods on how I feel and perform during class.

With the goal of trying to eat new vegetables, I tried and recommend the following recipes. Note that with the kale soup I didn't have enough tomatoes and so used salsa instead (why my image is different than the ones you'll see at the recipe site). And although delicious, the quiche and tortellini are quite calorie dense.

  

Bean Soup with Kale

Spinach Quiche

Spinach Tomato Tortellini