Kung Fu Girl

Tell your daughter. Teach her how she is different. She needs that understanding so she can develop strategies for interacting with "neurotypicals". I find "labels" helpful. Without the label it is often difficult to figure out why things aren't going the way you expect, reactions seem random and devoid of logic and reason. With the label you can develop and practice strategies, and learn from your mistakes.

I also grow more facial hair. Blech! I've wondered if it is an increase in testosterone related to increased muscle mass that is causing it. I'm not crazy muscular, but I do have strong arms and legs. I've also wondered if it is just the joy of aging.

I train in tai chi and xing yi, along with kung fu (mostly northern Shaolin). It's fascinating to me how much better my kung fu has gotten since starting tai chi. Love it!

Good, detailed notes make a huge difference. It was intimidating, at first, to keep a training notebook. I found the most difficult part of note taking to be finding a language for all the movements. With time and practice, my note taking skills have improved (just like my martial arts!) and I've become more efficient and comfortable with some shorthands I've developed. I've also learned that recording what I've learned after each class is easier than waiting a week or two (or more) when I have learned more than I think I can write down in a single sitting. Keep in mind that every person will have their own language for martial arts and that makes note sharing difficult -- so write your own. Good luck!

My experience with Eagle Claw is that it is more of a wu shu style (fancy, high jumps and kicks in the forms and geared towards gymnastics-like competitions) than self-defense. I'd look closely at the school (any school, really) and instructor and be sure that the focus of the school is what you want.

Choose the school you like the best -- the one with the instructor and students you like. If you choose a school you don't like (because you think the style is better, or the location is better, or whatever...) you are less likely to keep up your training. Tai chi is definitely a martial art and the applications are very effective. The trick will be finding an instructor who will willingly and effectively teach you the applications. My Sifu tells us often that every attack has a counter and that there is no ultimate move. I take this to mean that no style is best, but also that most (traditional) styles are complete. I don't have any experience with krav maga or CQC, so I can't speak to those, specifically. What is your motivation for being an ass kicker? Is it self-defense or are you more interested in tournaments and competitions? That might help you narrow down a school/style as well. Check out kenpo. Ed Parker's American Kenpo fits your criteria of utilizing any part of your body as a weapon, quick dispatch potential, and it's brutal.

Why not just go to the instructor once a week? That would be enough to get you started and to keep an eye on your form. Although tai chi is very slow, it is also very precise. There is quite a bit of subtlety to it. Learning applications helps keep your form in good order and you can't really teach yourself applications (unless you are an experienced martial artist, but even then you need a partner to practice on). Perhaps you could double up on lessons by having a private lesson after a group lesson? I started tai chi almost a year ago and I would be lost without constant oversight and correction. Personally, I would make the sacrifice of traveling 1.5 hours once a week for quality instruction (is it quality instruction?). Good luck!

What about private lessons once or twice a week? You might find an instructor willing to teach you privately at 5am.

I second the advice: Confidence is sexy.

I've been sick since the end of October. I just can't seem to shake this sinus congestion. So, progress has been slow, but intervals are making a big difference. Thank you! What are reasonable goals to set with respect to pace? I'm running 2-3x per week and I'd like to get down to a 10 minute mile (8 minutes, ultimately).

So, did you go Superman116? What did you think?

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

I really like Target jeans, Fit 1. They are pretty generic, classic styling and fit.

When I started kung fu a little over a year ago, my approach was to just do my best. Doing my best wasn't full of "I can't"s but, rather, "I'll try"s. Always put in your best effort and reach a little further than you think you can go -- to me, that's what the martial arts are all about. Have fun!

You need to walk away...now. Just stop texting, chatting, emailing, phoning. It won't be easy, but it is the right thing to do for all involved. Don't get dragged back into it, either. He'll try everything to keep contact with you. Ignore it all and move on. You know how drowning people will drown a rescuer out of panic? Don't be the rescuer that gets drowned. You cannot save this man. Only he can save himself. It's like an addiction for him. He has to decide he wants to change before he will change. Nothing you do will make that decision for him. Save yourself and get away (and stay away) from this guy.

I do a lot of push-ups and sit-ups as part of my martial arts training. Those exercises have strengthened my abs, biceps and pecs and I've recently felt like my back is comparatively weak. I actually find it a bit difficult to pull my shoulders back into a proper posture -- my shoulders tend to roll forward and I don't like that look. A trainer at my gym recommended the rowing machine to help strengthen my back. She showed me the proper way to row and I'll add that into my routine. But, I was wondering if there are there any exercises I can do at home, too?

I don't do much lifting, but I have started training in an UnderArmour Victory tank top and I love it. It wicks and the tank works well for my muscular shoulders and arms. I'm a 36C and the tank provides plenty of coverage in front.

I'd recommend you tell your partners they are going too hard. If that doesn't work, tell your coach. Although you might be big enough and tough enough to take a pounding, someone else may not be. It is a problem when your partner can't self regulate and becomes dangerous to others -- and the coaches need to know.

StayCalmTrekOn -- I'm having similar issues. I'd love some advice, too.

Awesome! Thanks, Ben. I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes.

That's great advice and thank you for the link. It looks like there is a lot of great information to sift through. Unfortunately, I'm stuck on the treadmill for awhile because I have 2 year old twins that need looking after while I'm running (and the gym has a nursery). I guess I should have added that I run and lift weights 3 days per week and do martial arts 3 days per week. I feel like I'm decently well rounded, but I'd like to see my endurance, speed, and strength improve. Thanks again for the info!

I've been running on a treadmill at the gym since January. I've lengthened my runs and increased my speed a little but would like to push myself more. I'd really like to get down to a 10 minute mile (and eventually down to an 8 minute mile) over 3-5 miles. Currently I am running for 40 minutes at a 12:30 pace which gets me about 3.25 miles. Would it be better to increase my speed while maintaining the length of the run (40 minutes) or decrease the length of the run and increase the speed or something else? I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

I've been looking at a bunch of paleo/primal recipe sites. Most of them use arrowroot powder as a wheat flour substitute. As far as I can tell, the only substantial difference between the two is that arrowroot powder is gluten free. However, it is still a carb. Since I don't have a gluten allergy, is there any reason to use arrowroot powder instead of wheat flour?

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I used to have this problem a lot. I think the issue is that your particular interests are so specialized that your family doesn't even know how to carry on a conversation with you when Pokemon is the topic. Wine tasting, sports, and scrapbooking are more mainstream and easier to describe without jargon. Perhaps you could discuss your interests in a way that doesn't leave your family wondering how to participate and what to say next. I can think of 3 concrete things that helped me: Avoid details, they are (most likely) meaningless to those who don't participate in the same activities. Try to use qualitatives instead of quantitatives (this helps avoid the details). Redirect the conversation to "safer" topics when you see that you are losing your audience. Then try again with a different interest of yours a little later.The gist is that you want to make your topics interesting to your family, knowing that they will never be as passionate about your interests as you are. This is hard and takes lots of practice. (Sounds like a challenge!) Good luck!