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Old 06-08-2008, 04:31 AM   #1
graham
 
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The trials of a fat bloke

I mentioned in this thread that I was looking for a "plus-size" gi. I'm actually surprised by how difficult it's been to get one. The jackets either fit round the middle but reach down below my knees, or are the perfect length and leave me looking quite indecent!

That got me wondering how any other "plus-size" folks amongst us have found their aikido experience. The first club I attended made me feel really welcome and would often ask if I was doing okay when I was as red as a tomato and producing a tsunami of sweat. I was impressed by that, but a little embarrassed.

I've never felt excluded for being larger, but there's obviously the self-consciousness of looking around in horror and seeing that everyone else is the pique of physical fitness.

The benefit is that I'm already a ball, so rolling should come easier!

Last edited by graham : 06-08-2008 at 04:34 AM.
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Old 06-08-2008, 07:26 AM   #2
SeiserL
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

From one big guy to another, greetings.

Yes, we share experience. For the most part people are pretty good about accepting our/my size. And then there are the indirect and direct comments that agree with our/my self-consciousness that we/I need to deal with. The uke on the mat isn't nearly as tough as the one in our/my head.

In the mean time, I am still showing up to train whether they have yet to cultivate empathy, compassion, acceptance, or appreciation of difference. Guess that's the one one in their head/hearts they will have to live with.

So hopefully, one day, we will share space and time on the mat and show everyone how us big guys do it.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
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Old 06-08-2008, 10:39 AM   #3
crbateman
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Speaking as one who is latitudinally gifted, I find that one big advantage is that nobody can get from my front to my back without stopping along the way to refuel, and that's when I get 'em...
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Old 06-08-2008, 04:52 PM   #4
graham
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Clark Bateman wrote: View Post
Speaking as one who is latitudinally gifted, I find that one big advantage is that nobody can get from my front to my back without stopping along the way to refuel, and that's when I get 'em...
Lol!
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:20 AM   #5
graham
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Lynn Seiser wrote: View Post
The uke on the mat isn't nearly as tough as the one in our/my head.
So true, Lynn.

Thanks.
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Old 06-09-2008, 09:42 AM   #6
Robert Draper
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Thanks for this thread, being an SFB (short fat "bloke") myself I have been a bit nervous about starting Aikido. I stopped training in Karate about a year ago and just sitting around doing nothing instead of training three times a week has piled on the pounds. At least I now know I'm not the only one.

Two hours eighteen minutes to the first lesson...
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Old 06-09-2008, 01:51 PM   #7
graham
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Robert Draper wrote: View Post
Thanks for this thread, being an SFB (short fat "bloke") myself I have been a bit nervous about starting Aikido. I stopped training in Karate about a year ago and just sitting around doing nothing instead of training three times a week has piled on the pounds. At least I now know I'm not the only one.

Two hours eighteen minutes to the first lesson...
Oh, you'll love it, Robert! Just don't be afraid to say you need to stop and catch your breath if/when you do.
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Old 06-09-2008, 01:58 PM   #8
Ron Tisdale
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

huh, one of the hardest throwers I've ever met, and one of the best aikidoka (in my opinion) was a short, fat, bloke. I wouldn't have said it to his face though (the short, fat part...).

Actually, another one just popped into my mind...and he's still alive. And would kick my butt if he saw me typing this...

Best,
Ron (chewtoy lives!)

Ron Tisdale
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"The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."
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Old 06-09-2008, 02:18 PM   #9
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Ron Tisdale wrote: View Post
huh, one of the hardest throwers I've ever met, and one of the best aikidoka (in my opinion) was a short, fat, bloke.
I can think of a couple, too... (The secret is that we have our own gravity... shhhhh, don't tell anybody...)
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Old 06-10-2008, 03:50 AM   #10
Robert Draper
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Graham Old wrote: View Post
Oh, you'll love it, Robert! Just don't be afraid to say you need to stop and catch your breath if/when you do.
I certainly did love it! And I only went red while doing rolls one after another. Can't wait for next week.
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Old 06-10-2008, 06:10 AM   #11
Dieter Haffner
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Clark Bateman wrote: View Post
... The secret is that we have our own gravity... shhhhh, don't tell anybody...)
Do you get any different gravitational laws with that?
Only thing I can think of by myself is that when you hit the surface, contact will be a little bit softer.
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Old 06-10-2008, 08:40 AM   #12
Randy Sexton
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Since starting Aikido 15 months ago I have lost weight, gotten stronger and have far faster reflexes, and have a great time to boot! Hurray for the big guys! By the way I have found the short fat guys can usually throw you across the room!
Doc

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will"
Gandhi
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Old 06-10-2008, 01:30 PM   #13
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Randy Sexton wrote: View Post
By the way I have found the short fat guys can usually throw you across the room!
Hey Doc, what about us tall fat guys?

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!
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Old 06-10-2008, 01:57 PM   #14
Ron Tisdale
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Lynn Seiser wrote: View Post
Hey Doc, what about us tall fat guys?
KOSHI!!!!



Best,
Ron

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Old 06-10-2008, 04:16 PM   #15
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Okay, as another fat guy, I have to echo most of the comments here.

Although, it must be said that my sensei has, um, commented on my weight. But that may have something to do with the fact that I gained a lot of it in the four years I was teaching in Rio Vista. Teaching and not showing up for training.

So, any disparaging comments I receive can be classified as self-inflicted.

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Old 06-16-2008, 04:05 AM   #16
graham
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Michael Riehle wrote: View Post
Okay, as another fat guy, I have to echo most of the comments here.

Although, it must be said that my sensei has, um, commented on my weight. But that may have something to do with the fact that I gained a lot of it in the four years I was teaching in Rio Vista. Teaching and not showing up for training.

So, any disparaging comments I receive can be classified as self-inflicted.
Oh, so you had been practicing Aikido with him previously?

I think that if a comment was made now I would be more self-conscious, but not devastated. However, if a comment had been made when I was first starting, I doubt I would have stuck around.

As it is, I'm losing weight doing Aikido (and watching what I eat and generally having a more active lifestyle), but I still have a long way to go.
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Old 06-16-2008, 05:05 AM   #17
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Graham Old wrote: View Post
As it is, I'm losing weight doing Aikido (and watching what I eat and generally having a more active lifestyle), but I still have a long way to go.
Knowing the destination is good, but make sure you take time to enjoy the journey...
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Old 06-16-2008, 03:11 PM   #18
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Graham Old wrote: View Post
Oh, so you had been practicing Aikido with him previously?
It could be said that my teaching in Rio Vista was All His Fault with some truth. The weight gain, OTOH, he had nothing to do with.

Quote:
Graham Old wrote: View Post
I think that if a comment was made now I would be more self-conscious, but not devastated. However, if a comment had been made when I was first starting, I doubt I would have stuck around.
When I first started people made comments about my weight all the time:

"Be careful out there today. There's a pretty strong wind and we'd like to see you here again tomorrow."

"Do you even cast a shadow? Let's see!"

"When was the last time you ate anything?"

I long for those comments today.

Quote:
Graham Old wrote: View Post
As it is, I'm losing weight doing Aikido (and watching what I eat and generally having a more active lifestyle), but I still have a long way to go.
I wish I could train the way I want to. I expect that to get better, soon, but since I had to get a Real Job my training has definitely suffered.

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Old 06-17-2008, 04:14 AM   #19
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Tall fat bloke here too...

-We aren't heightest now are we?

I think i can feel a movement starting, no wait, that's just me getting up.

But back to the gi thing, i find that as a tall, fat guy the uwagi scale up in size quite nicely. It's a shame it doesn't work out for the tall skinny peeps or shorter fatter peeps either.
... solution!
Harmonise with nature.... naked aikido. Awwwww yeah.
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Old 06-24-2008, 09:57 AM   #20
Dennis Hooker
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Clark Bateman wrote: View Post
Speaking as one who is latitudinally gifted, I find that one big advantage is that nobody can get from my front to my back without stopping along the way to refuel, and that's when I get 'em...
5'5'' 217 and I move like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Got the grace of a young Baryshnikov and the power of a young Ali. It's all in the mind my friend. Check out some of these guys

http://home.earthlink.net/~jimbaker6/aa/index.htm

Dennis Hooker: (DVD) Zanshin and Ma-ai in Aikido
https://www.createspace.com/238049

www.shindai.com
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Old 06-24-2008, 10:04 AM   #21
Ron Tisdale
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Dennis, why am I scared to click on that link!?!?!?

Best,
Ron

Ron Tisdale
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Old 06-24-2008, 10:52 AM   #22
Dennis Hooker
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

Quote:
Ron Tisdale wrote: View Post
Dennis, why am I scared to click on that link!?!?!?

Best,
Ron
Probably because it has Jim Baker's name on it.

Dennis Hooker: (DVD) Zanshin and Ma-ai in Aikido
https://www.createspace.com/238049

www.shindai.com
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Old 06-24-2008, 01:11 PM   #23
HL1978
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

I've seen people in iaido sew in a panel into their hakama, but haven't seen plus sized gi's.
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Old 06-24-2008, 02:21 PM   #24
Marie Noelle Fequiere
 
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

The late Kensho Furuya Sensei was not exactly skinny, at least not while he was writing in book "Kodo: Ancient Ways". His extra size apparently did not prevent him from becoming a master.
Where did he get his gi?
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Old 06-24-2008, 02:43 PM   #25
Dennis Hooker
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Re: The trials of a fat bloke

I use a Shureido Gi. They are made bigger and are top quality. Some other size 5 quality gi are really a size and a half smaller that a Shureido. My students bought me a new top quality Gi that would not fit. I replaced it with the same size Shureido gi and it is a little big but I like a loose gi. All gis are not the same try several.

Dennis Hooker: (DVD) Zanshin and Ma-ai in Aikido
https://www.createspace.com/238049

www.shindai.com
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