Wednesday, August 31, 2005

I Miss Beating the Crap Out of Stuff

I've spent the last week or so mourning (again) the loss of my martial arts and boxing classes.

A lot of it was the money. Paying $120 a month was killing me. So was the commute. Going downtown and back two or three times a week, catching buses, trains, transferring, was wearing me out. I was also plugged into making class times, whereas with a gym, I've got more freedom as to when I go. And a lot of it was that the last few months (like, FOUR) of my membership, I just wasn't going. I had a bunch of flying to do with the job earlier this year, then problems with the pill, then three months of hell while my body adjusted to the IUD.

But I miss it. A lot.

I miss beating the crap out of stuff twice a week, working out my aggression. I miss hanging out in a class with a bunch of buff people, many of whom are women who aren't afraid to look buff. I miss the rush of confidence after class. I miss that kind of strength.

Sure, I go to the gym, and I'm looking buffer now than I did then, actually, cause I'm targeting other stuff and eating much better than I did while in MA classes.

But there's something different that happens when you beat stuff up for a few hours a week. Something different in the way you hold yourself, the way you look at people. And I miss that.

The first thing I do when I move next year is find a boxing gym.

I mean, after I get a job.

Yea. Sure.

3 comments so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

I'm with you. I always feel better when I get to beat up an things regularly. Life's just not the same without it. 

Posted by Tapetum

Anonymous said...

I got through grad school in an all women's full contact kick-boxing class. It felt so good to go and pummel the crap out of the bags as a way of dealing with pent up aggression. Then I blew out my knee (!) and spent about a year getting back. No kick-boxing for me now, but I have a heavy bag (one of the water bags) in the middle of my apartment and I regularly bash it when I get home from work. It's not the same, but you can work the bag across the floor a little (I have duck taped a bunch of throw rugs to the bottom so it slides). Hope this helps. In sympathy! 

Posted by Lingual X

Anonymous said...

wow, do i feel your pain. my super awesome boxing trainer is leaving my (affordable/filthy/wonderful) boxing gym for a new, um, really expensive "studio." my heart's broken, too. don't worry, you'll find something to hit soon. 

Posted by gail