Muay Thai

[Nonstopbuttmachine]

I've fallen out of love with the gym, completely lost my mojo this summer and piled on a load of weight I now look like a fat, middle aged woman. I need to find an exercise that excites and inspires me but my confidence is nil and I'm two stone overweight.

I did Muay Thai many years ago and loved it but I'm 20 years older now (and live in a different country) and worried I can't hack it (the intensity). I've found a local club and messaged the instructor; I'm intending to watch a session in a couple of weeks when I get back from my holiday. I'm really shitting myself though, it's been so long!

Has anyone else taken up a martial art after a huge gap?

I started doing boxing training aged 49 - with no prior experience of anything like it. And I wasn't particularly fit. Just tell the instructor you may need to build up your fitness.

Thanks Choc. I went to watch a class this evening, it was a beginners/intermediate class and the instructor was really welcoming. There were only men there (which doesn't bother me) and a mixture of ages and abilities so not intimidating at all; I'm starting next Monday and feeling really positive and excited about it

How many times a week do you train and did you have to alter your diet? My diet is mainly veggie/vegan but I know I'll have to up my protein intake for muscle repair.

I do boxing with a PT once a week but am in the gym 6 or 7 days per week for about an hour at a time, doing a little bit of fairly intense cardio (battering a punch bag, for example) and otherwise weights or calisthenic type stuff.

It helps me to have a goal to work towards (other than the obvious of just lifting more weight) so the current goal is to be able to do a full press up. I also have a goal of being able to do a pull up but that won't happen this year and will have to be next year's goal. I think the press up may be within my reach for this year.

I didn't have to alter my diet at all as I am not veggie. However I am trying to alter my body composition towards more muscle so for that reason I have upped my protein intake. I wouldn't be too bothered about diet just yet - but if you start getting serious about the Muay Thai or choose to add in more intense other stuff then you may need to reconsider.

I did it, I went - so proud of myself! 😁 The instructor was fantastic and spent so much time with me despite it being a really busy class. Took me right back to basics, showing me all the elementary moves and footwork and was impressed when I picked them up immediately - it may have been 15 years since I last trained but the body never forgets!

I walked out on such a high, properly buzzing! I've got a long journey ahead to get my fitness and figure back (probably 2-3 months) but it's going to be a great one I'm so impressed with the instructor; I live in a country where the women are notoriously 'princesses' who don't like smudging their make up so hopefully he saw some potential in me.

Thank you for your advice Choc, you've really inspired me

Yay! Well done you. Great news.

Little update Choc - second week in and OMG Did sparring this evening... fuck me, I'd forgotten how hard it is! I'll be limping tomorrow but totally worth it 😅

Thanks for the update. I'm really glad you're enjoying it. My PT has been away for several weeks travelling but has come back unexpectedly early and we are starting again tomorrow. Can't wait! It's all such fun...