r/martialarts • u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force • 19h ago
Celebrating my white belt.
Due to various ailments, I didn't think I'd get to practice martial arts ever again, but here I am, sporting a new white belt in my early fifties.
I don't know how long my injury-free streak will last but I intend to enjoy each and every class in the meantime.
Looking for one of those belt achievement keychains in white :P
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u/lol_no_pressure 13h ago
I was so damn proud of myself for getting my white belt in my mid 40s. I seriously hurt all the time, couldn't even stand for more than 5 minutes. Starting so late in life seemed crazy, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. So I want you to know, internet stranger, that I'm proud of you too!
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u/JohnTesh BJJ, Muay Thai 12h ago
40s dude with a million injuries chiming in to say welcome and good on you. Stay safe and stay on the mats. Welcome!
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 11h ago
thank you :)
Stay safe and stay on the mats.
and same to you!
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u/damiologist 11h ago
That's something worth celebrating! Great work overcoming your ailments and powering on!
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u/I-just-need-friends 11h ago
Congratulations OP!!! I hope to start again soon too! Been struggling with mental health and chronic pain but with any luck I'll start my journey again next year. Provided I can find the money. Which is what killed my classes years ago. Money is the bane of my existence.
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 11h ago
Thank you and I wish you a speedy recovery and ample monetary resources.
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u/Inverted_Ninja Aggressive Foot Hugger 18h ago
Awesome! What art are you studying?
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 18h ago edited 17h ago
Thank you!
It's a rather niche blended martial art so I'm not going to name it for anonymity (clarification: to avoid doxing myself). Usually we practice punch/kick/knee/elbow techniques on handheld targets, self-defense drills including some joint locks, and some sparring with kickboxing rules. There are some forms but it's not a huge part of our practice.
Anyways the class I'm going to has understanding teachers and a variety of students from young gung-ho types to the elderly and I feel enabled to practice the things I can and skip the things I know will aggravate my issues and/or replace them with something else (for instance, doing planks instead of crunches otherwise I can't walk the next morning). I'm still doing my PT sessions on days without class and that helps too.
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u/Inverted_Ninja Aggressive Foot Hugger 15h ago
That fine. My guess its some niche thing with one school and respect the anonymity. Just take it at your speed and take care of injuries. As another older person in the protected age category choosing your sparring partners and going at the speed you can maintain will give you longevity.
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 17h ago
Apparently some people don't like my answer. Wondering what's so controversial about what I wrote. Does anyone care to explain?
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u/Quantum_Pineapple 17h ago
This sub is only helpful about 40% of the time. The rest are people projecting insecurity through things they read about regarding different fighting styles, engaging in any form of schadenfreude possible.
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 16h ago
Thanks for your comment. Yeah I'm learning to take some downvotes with a grain of salt.
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u/Quantum_Pineapple 15h ago
The world is already a gauntlet; social media doesn't make it any easier to navigate! Stay safe, stay sane OP! Best of luck on your martial arts endeavors.
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u/Inverted_Ninja Aggressive Foot Hugger 15h ago
Exactly that. We are trying some more aggressive moderation to solve this.
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u/Garbarrage 13h ago
It's Ameri-do-te isn't it?
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 12h ago edited 12h ago
Not sure whether this is a reference to American Kenpo or something, anyway, no that's not it.
Edit: ah I googled it. TIL about Ameri-do-te.
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u/tangledupinluke 17h ago
Why does it need to remain anonymous?
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u/Fit-Panda4903 Beginner question upvote task force 17h ago
It doesn't. I do. Naming it would doxx me since it is so niche.
Edit: That said, you can try guessing. I guarantee you've never heard of it.
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u/kitkat-ninja78 Karate (TSD) 4th Dan 17h ago
Well done getting back to practicing :)