Should Ben take Karate?

Angel Bear · Post by **Angel Bear** » Tue Mar 26, 2002 2:56 pm

Pantheris proudly told me that he has lost 5 pounds over two weeks, and he cites regular karate classes as part of his exercise regimen.
And I was thinking that it would be fun to watch Ben Bruin take karate, at least on Under the Lemon Tree. Karate would enable Ben to quickly dispatch a fellow creature, which would appeal to Gunther, and it involves smooth moves, which would keep Slick interested.
Would there be enough Zen-like philosophy to interest Sheldon? And what would other Posse members like Velvet and Zoot get out of it?

[ This Message was edited by: Angel Bear on 2002-03-26 14:58 ]

WolfFur · Post by **WolfFur** » Tue Mar 26, 2002 10:04 pm

I used to take karate and it IS a great form of exercise. Now I take a child and watch from the sidelines, for alas my knees will no longer let me participate.

I think it would be great for Ben though... when I was participating I was much trimmer than I am now. It's also great for building up self-confidence, which Ben needs. Perhaps he and Lily could take it together. Wouldn't it be nice seeing HER in a dobalk/gi.

Andrick · Post by **Andrick** » Wed Mar 27, 2002 2:50 am

Nah, Ben should go with Boxing if he were to do anything relating to pugilistics. The regimen for boxing stresses endurance, speed and reflexes which means lots of aerobic exercises and workouts which increase mobility and nimbleness. Jogging, speed rope, swimming, stretches and then technique on punching and speed bags adds up to a very exhausting workout.

Random George · Post by **Random George** » Wed Mar 27, 2002 6:49 am

personally, i've had a lot of success with tai chi. it stresses endurance, flexibility, balance, and calm. with some minor diet modifications and just doing about fifteen minutes a day of tai chi (it averages...i do about an hour and a half in a week, in differing amounts), i've lost about fifty pounds in the last year, and it's stayed off. additionally, the weight came off right, and traded out for muscle...it came off of waist, hips, and thighs, not out of my face or leaving me with little chicken bone arms and legs. the other really important thing for ben not to forget (and lily, to be fair to him) is that you can't measure your health by a weight chart. i estimate i lost 70 or 80 pounds of fat, and replaced a lot of it with lean muscle. would i rather weigh those 20 pounds less and not have the muscle mass, even though i'm 25 pounds above my 'insurance table' weight? not on your life! if ben loses fifty pounds of fat and gains ten of muscle, he'll be in better shape than if he just loses the fifty pounds, but he won't get the prize...

geo

LadyXan · Post by **LadyXan** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 8:13 am

Greetings all. I do not keep up on the forums enough, but I thought this subject looked interesting. =)

I think that is a great idea, AB. My husband and oldest daughter used to take karate from a Christian friend of ours. I was always busy with our youngest daughter, but would love to take it again. =)

Congrats to RH in getting the toons back on schedule. =) I look forward to reading their adventures... and so far the new ones are also good. =)