Kickboxing Dacula FIghting Depression

“Kickboxing and Boxing Improved My Mental Health”  www.empowerher.com ; written by Rheyanne Weaver

This past week the world mourned Robin Williams and became a little more aware of depression and mental illness.  The subject is “trending” and almost every other facebook post is a quote from the famous comedian/ actor.  My guess is that people are asking, “How could someone so funny and full of life be that desperate?”  The answer may be that mental illness is just that~ an illness.  Like any other illness, cardiovascular exercise can improve symptoms.  This month, in honor of Robin, I researched how kickboxing can improve mental health. 

The article I read is written by a kickboxing student who found that through kickboxing, she felt relief of depression and anxiety.  She cites that she not only feels better about herself, but has benefited from less overall physical health problems through kickboxing.  Punching and kicking is a great way to relieve negative emotions such as anger, frustration, irritability, stress in a healthy, positive outlet.  Losing weight and gaining physical strength is an added bonus.  Instead of a downward spiral common with negative thinking and depression, kickboxing gives a mental boost and builds confidence.  It also fuels motivation which counteracts depression.  Each class gives a sense of accomplishment as well as being fun.  Both are good for fighting mental illness.  Learning new skills and meeting new people are also benefits of kickboxing.  By learning new skills, a student is exercising their mind~ occupying it with something positive.  Being a part of a class provides the opportunity to socialize/ build relationships that also counteract the loneliness and isolation associated with depression. 

The author, a woman, also cites that by doing a traditionally “masculine” workout, she is empowered and feels strong and able to defend herself.  Again, this counteracts feelings of helplessness.  Having a trainer to encourage and push her, gave her very satisfying results. 

Although I was saddened to hear of Robin Williams' struggles, I think it can be an opportunity to take a serious look at safeguarding mental health.  Sometimes, we can get too focused on losing weight or another physical goal.  It is important to be aware of one’s own mental health and taking care of it.  Kickboxing has so many benefits~ It’s good for body, mind and soul.  Most people are aware that exercise lowers blood pressure and is good for arthritis and diabetes.  The cardiovascular benefits in kickboxing are also that feel-good chemicals are released in the brain.  For those suffering from anxiety and depression, kickboxing can be a healthy alternative for coping.  Instead of retreating into self, kickboxing class is an opportunity to socialize with others.  It’s also a distraction that stops the cycle of negative thinking for a time. 

The calming effect after kickboxing is felt throughout the day; enabling a person to think and process more clearly.  This month, I’m choosing to honor Robin Williams' memory by having this awareness. 

Written By: Kerry Carron Kickboxing Instructor

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Weight Control and Food Strugles Dacula 30542

This month, I’ve picked up a fun biography/ cookbook called, “French Women Don’t Get Fat~ The Secret of Eating for Pleasure.”  Before you cut me off and dismiss me immediately for the apparent Anti-American sentiment, please let me explain.  I love to cook.  I love food.  It’s deeply engrained in my culture and identity.  This love of cooking and food doesn’t always match up well with health and wellness.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book,  not only for the story of a Franco-American woman living in New York and her struggles with food/ weight, but for her no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to food, eating and pleasure.

Mireille Guiliano, the author of “French Women Don’t Get Fat”, tells her own story of growing up in rural France, her time as an exchange student in America, and being married/ living in the United States.  As she tells her story of weight gain, “recasting” as she calls it, and stabilization, she offers several wonderful recipes throughout the book.  There were several points that impressed upon me~

First, we as Americans don’t eat well.  We eat more.  We eat in our cars, on the go, in front of the TV, standing in the kitchen, at our desk, etc.  Portion size is way too big as we eat so fast on the go that we don’t give our bodies time to realize we are full or satisfied.  We’ve lost the art of dining with real napkins, silverware, conversation, and most importantly, time.  We eat fruit and vegetables off-season and/ or so processed that they are hardly recognizable and devoid of their intended flavor. 

What I like most about this book is that she recommends a very simple alteration in the way we view food, eating and health.  Small changes are what she advocates.  Being intentional and aware of what passes our lips is key.  The first phase is about journaling our eating habits.  This is an essential component of any weight control program.  Food diaries are a cornerstone of Weight Watchers.  After about three weeks of jotting down what a person is consuming, it becomes very obvious what our “offenders” are~ the habits we have that are causing us to gain weight/ be unhealthy.  For example, if we are having bread with every meal, cut back to one meal per day.  During the “recasting” phase, Mireille recommends common sense things like increasing water intake, cutting back (but not deprivation) of some of our “offenders”, eating more fruits and vegetables, taking time/ care in shopping, cooking and eating our food.  Using a food scale to be aware of healthy portion size is also recommended.  The stabilization or life phase is simply about compensating for what we eat and how active we are.  It’s about balance.  No deprivation, binge eating, starving, or elimination diet here.  This book is just full of practical ideas to slowly adjust the way we think about and approach food and eating. 

I recommend this book for anyone who loves food and/ or cooking and has at one time or another felt deprived of enjoying it.  As I am on a path to health and wellness, I found this book simple but profound in its ‘middle of the road’ approach to eating.  For myself, being aware and present as I am cooking and eating is something I want to strive for.  Experimenting with fresh ingredients, frequenting my local farmer’s market, and trying new recipes are something I look forward to.  Balancing exercise with good eating is just good sense.  
Written by: Kerry Caron (kickboxing Instructor)

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 Choe's HapKiDo Karate of Flowery Branch

7380 Spout Springs Rd
Flowery Branch, Braselton, Buford, Hamilton Mill 30542