Last Updated on January 7, 2014.
My Weight Loss Journey with Tiger Schulmann
During this journey I’ve learned a lot about myself. In these past 8 months I found out what I am truly capable of, how strong I really am, and to never forget that I can do anything that I put my mind to.
On March 19th I walked through Tiger Schulmann’s East Hanover’s doors not knowing what to expect, but knowing that something in my life had to change. At 30 years old I came to a point in my life where you can say I “hit rock bottom.” I weighed 226 pounds, suffered from depression, emotional eating, and self harm. I was very unhappy with a lot of areas in my life, but being overweight was the hardest issue for me to try to gain control of. It was an issue I had struggled with for many years, and lately began to spiral out of control. After seeking help from my family and therapy I was able to gain some control of the emotional areas of my life. It was then that I felt that it was time to start focusing on my physical self. That’s when I decided I should to get back to my athletic roots (my high school years) since that’s when I was the happiest, and most fit, in my life.
A friend had suggested I try kickboxing, so I googled it, and Tiger Schulmann East Hanover’s website was the first to pop up. Looking at their website, and seeing all that they had to offer, made me excited yet nervous. I’ve never done MMA in my life and I didn’t know how I would do or what to expect from the classes. However, in spite of my hesitation, I decided to give it a shot anyway.
My first trial class is a day I won’t forget for the rest of my life. It was the day that something great and empowering had awoken within me. Joshu walked me around showing me pictures on the walls of amazing fighters, gave me a small background on the school’s history, introduced me to Sensei Lopez and gave me my first ever pair of boxing gloves…I felt super special at that point! After surviving the first trial class I felt a little overwhelmed, yet full of energy and excitement! I wanted to take some time to see if it was really something I wanted to commit myself to, but deep down I already knew. Tiger Schulmann’s was where I belonged and a month later I officially started. That’s when I felt my new self come to life!
Before I started training I never thought achieving any type fitness goals were possible. However, shortly after I began training, I started to see a difference in how I felt physically and mentally.
“Focus and discipline” are words you will always hear coming out of Sensei’s mouth and that’s exactly what I needed to hear on a daily basis to be able to accomplish what I have in the short months that I’ve been with Tiger Schulmann. Before I started training I never thought achieving any type fitness goals were possible. However, shortly after I began training, I started to see a difference in how I felt physically and mentally. It felt absolutely great and I did not want it to stop. Feeling my uniform and belt get bigger and bigger, hearing all the encouraging words from everyone around me and achieving my rank of hi-white belt, was all the motivation that I needed to keep going full force. It’s then that I realized that anything is possible so long as I stay focused and have the discipline to come to training. I also had the help and encouragement from the other students I train with, and as a whole I really feel that none of my accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without my family, Sensei, Joshu and all the other wonderful strong people I’ve met at the school. To this day I have placed in two challenges, and lost a total of 63 pounds (and counting!). I have been off my medication, and have not relapsed to my old eating habits or cutting in 246 days, feats would be absolutely impossible not too long ago.
During this journey I’ve learned a lot about myself. In these past 8 months I found out what I am truly capable of, how strong I really am, and to never forget that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I truly thank Tiger Schulmann for giving me the physical skills I needed to get myself back into shape, the mental skills of learning how to not give up, how to stay positive and focused on any goal that I set for myself in life, and providing a fun and healthy environment to practice these skills. Whether its short term, long term or on or off the mat, I know I can and will accomplish it; TSMMA has truly changed my life for the better.
By: Elise – TSMMA East Hanover