Fasting for Health and Faith

Lately, I have been researching fasting in order to live a healthier lifestyle. Although I exercise regularly and I am not overweight, I often feel lethargic and unmotivated to get up and get things done. I know this stems from a poor diet. Since I am 5'10" and 175 pounds, I sometimes feel as if I can eat anything I want, anytime I want. Unfortunately this leads to poor eating choices when I know better. I have been looking for ways to transform my eating habits and get healthy and energized. From what I understand, Fasting is a great way to accomplish this goal. Since I started back in the Combat Hapkido Club, I will be testing soon and I want to be at optimum shape when I do.

It looks like the best way to start this is intermittent fasting. There are multiple ways to do this but I want to approach this from a common sense standpoint. So I will go 12-12 or 12 hours no food and then a 12 hour window to get the calories I need to function.  Now this means good calories from fruits, veggies and lean proteins along with fresh juices and protein shakes. One major factor is water! Now I admit that has been a problem for me, I normally don't drink a lot of water but it is a change I must make when fasting. I have also read that black coffee and green tea are good additions to the fasting lifestyle and that's OK with me as I enjoy them both. Once I am established in the 12-12 for a few days I will kick it up a notch to 16-8. Eventually I hope to do a full 3 days water fast.

Although I really don't need to lose weight I am prepared to as this will certainly lead to that end. I can easily handle being 160 instead of 175 or 180 which is my normal weight but I will increase my workouts to add muscle mass so maybe I will be a very lean and muscular 160 when I get there.

 Last but certainly not least, my faith comes into play here. In the bible, fasting is mentioned over 40 times. Our Lord fasted for 40 days and many of his disciples also fasted and prayed in important moments of their walk with Christ. I intend to use this period to dig into the scriptures and spend more time with Christ to deepen my connection with him.

Wish me luck!

Peace


JD Pearce

Times are a changing!

Greetings Folks

I have posted here for many years. When I first started out it was about politics and life in general. Then it moved in whatever direction my life moved in such as music and singing. The last decade or so it has been mostly about Martial Arts which has been a passion of mine for many years.

Now, the season of change has entered my life again and I have retired from the Martial Arts. I have found a new passion to pursue. Painting!!  Yes I have officially become a painter and I am sketching and drawing as well. I will be using this blog to get some of my work out here online for the next six months or so while I learn and try to hone my skill set. Eventually I will have a site dedicated to art but for now it will be here. 

Here are a few images of the art I have created the past month.  I hope you enjoy them!

 

There you go!  I have been painting for nearly a month and I hope to keep going for many years to come.  

Peace ~ JD

Martial Arts vs Self Defense

Howdy Folks

There is an ongoing debate in the world of martial arts about this art or that art being better for self defense. In my mind some arts may be more geared towards self defense than others and will more than likely give you a better chance of defending yourself in a street attack. I know that is a very general statement so let me drill down a bit more.

Most martial arts schools train you in a safe environment. You practice with a willing uke and do your best to learn techniques without injuring your partner who probably has to go to work the next day and needs the proper function of his or her arms, legs, fingers, etc..

The truth is that in most street fights, (and I have been in many so I know from experience what I'm talking about), they can be very fast, very brutal and the adrenaline is pumping so hard you are going all out and more! There may be multiple attackers and weapons involved. When this happens all bets are off! The term we like to use in our Combat Hapkido Club is "Junkyard Dog". When you find yourself in the heat of battle you often revert to more primal instincts. Survival is a built in response for most people and they will scratch, bite, kick, headbutt, stomp, pick up a rock or a chair and on and on to survive!

If you watch videos of real attacks on the interweb  you will see that most folks just go nuts!

Now, let me say this in earnest! Training is good and if you train enough, you can burn some of these techniques into your autonomic response in a fight. Simple, easy to go to techniques like an armbar are fast and effective.  It can be applied in many different ways not just what you have seen on TV at a UFC event.  There are other great techniques that you can use and may well help you survive an encounter on the street.  We like to say, have as many tools in your martial arts tool box as you can. When pressed, pull out your favorite ones and use them.

In closing, don't expect that just because you are a black belt in something, you will automatically win in a street fight. You may not. Street fights are dirty and unless you train at a dojo who trains you to fight dirty you may wind up hurt.  Remember your best weapon is your brain and you can best win a battle by avoiding it altogether. I will write more on this subject soon in an email blast.  Until then,

Peace




JD Pearce

2nd Dan Aikido

2nd Dan Combat Hapkido

Catching up!

As usual I have neglected to post here. I hope to remedy that and start posting more regularly this summer. As I said in the last post I have given up my regular Aikido work outs and it has had a positive impact on my spine. I have not been to the Chiropractor but twice so far this year. I used to go once a week! I am still stretching each morning and working out so my back is doing great!!!

Some very sad news to report. My Aikido Sensei Tony Orlando passed away last year in December. We all miss him terribly but knowing that he was saved by the blood of Christ is very comforting. We all know he is enjoying heaven and waiting on us to join him. Peace be with you Sensei, I look forward to seeing you again in the great ever-after! Tony and I were great friends in and out of the dojo. I think about him all the time. Here's a pic of us a many years back when I got my Shodan.

I am still working with my Combat Hapkido club in Mooresville. Sensei Flagg is still providing us with his most excellent instructions on how to execute the techniques we have learned and are learning with more effectiveness than ever. I enjoy these workouts and look forward to going back each month for our three hour sessions. Here's the web address for that club.

http://www.personaldefenseclub.net/


If all goes well I would like to start training some folks one on one here at my home dojo or at the new Shotokan/ Aikido dojo in Charlotte on Independence Blvd. One of my old classmates from Carolina Martial Arts (Noah) is continuing the legacy of Tomiki Aikdo we learned from Sensei Tony at this new place. I have worked out there a few times and still do from time to time and will have access to that space if I can schedule it in advance. Here is the website address for this dojo.

https://www.charlotteshotokan.com/


That's all for now,

Have a blessed day.




JD Pearce
2nd Dan Aikido
2nd Dan Combat Hapkido