How to Get Into Shape Like a Warrior

Dedication and discipline is required to achieve warrior status.

Physical fitness, and achieving your personal peak fitness, are challenges we all have to face. It's all too easy to get discouraged and turn away from the consistent effort and discipline needed, especially when every other daily obligation we have is taken into account. However, by working on the discipline and focus offered us by the martial mindset, we can not only get into shape, but stay that way.

Things You'll Need

• A plan
• Details of local gyms and martial arts organizations
• Workout gear

Instructions

1. Set yourself a goal. Traditionally, this is often setting yourself an amount of weight to lose, but the simple act of weighing yourself can have a serious effect on your morale. Other possibilities include reaching a certain level in a martial art, competing in a sporting event or lifting a set amount of weight. Write your goal somewhere you can see it and look at it every day. Keep it in your mind as you focus and work towards it.

2. Pick a path to your goal. One of the most effective ways to get into shape like a warrior is to train for combat, and martial arts will enable you to do just this. Research different styles and see what appeals to you. If you don't want to get kicked or punched, choose a grappling art like Judo or Aikido. If you want to use kicks and punches, choose a striking art like Taekwondo or Thai Boxing. Finally, if you want to train with weapons, choose a style like Kendo.

3. Accept your limitations. No one will be able to do everything they want straight away, and your first few weeks will be your hardest as you continually get pushed to your limits. Accept that this will happen and accept that, although you may not be able to see it, your limits are being extended every time you train.

4. Be brave. It may sound facetious but it's all too easy to get intimidated by your goals, by the fact that others appear to be learning faster than you or are in better shape. Focus on your goal and on the fact that every time you train you get one step closer to that goal. The fear will fade as your confidence builds.

5. Enjoy your achievements. Reaching your goal is a momentous achievement and one you need to accept and take the time to enjoy. Whether it's a target weight, competing in an event or anything else, you should take time to enjoy each achievement and look at how far you've come. If you try and don't succeed, then again, you need to take the time to accept that. It doesn't mean you'll never succeed, it just means you haven't succeeded yet. Warriors don't just win, they never give up and as long as you don't give up, you'll reach your goals.

Tips & Warnings

• Hydrate a lot when you exercise, making sure you drink a lot of water.

• Be humble when you train. It's all too easy to get sucked into the macho culture associated with some combat sports but in the end, it's a negative, damaging way to be. Be humble and receptive, try your hardest and listen to your instructors and you'll get to your goal all the faster.

References

• The Warrior Diet: Switch on Your Biological Powerhouse For High Energy, Explosive Strength, and a Leaner, Harder Body; Ori Hofmekler; 2007
• Real Strength Training
• Training for Warriors