Students practice Karate as Renshi Gregg Brown gives tips on technique.

Get fit by kicking bad habits

By: Alexia Lang

Posted: 6/1/09

Swimsuit season is upon us and many people make that their excuse for getting fit.

While any excuse to exercise and eat healthy is a good one, there are a few great ways to get started so it becomes a lifestyle rather than a seasonal trend.

Chief Instructor 6th Degree Black Belt Renshi Gregg Brown, instructor and nutritionist at Shogun Martial Arts Center, said the key to getting fit and staying fit is diversifying activities.

"If you are gonna be active, diversify," Brown said. "Period. Walk around the block, but garden. If you are going to do martial arts, then play soccer. From the martial arts standpoint, I like to kill a lot of birds with one stone."

He said martial arts is a great way to get into shape and still have the confidence to defend yourself.

"Martial arts improves your character, improves your discipline, gets you in the best shape of your life and it's something you can do all your life from age three to 103."

Of the various forms of martial arts, Brown said kickboxing and weapons burns the most calories.

"How many people do you see burning 600-700 calories in an hour out playing golf? You never plateau if you benefit from the self defense."

Brown uses four categories to describe activity levels of people.

Sedentary Sue: Never worked out in her life and likely has a smoking problem.

Brown suggests getting on a plan, exercising five days a week, or three days on one day off. Walking is a good option to get started.

"Diet and exercise are important, but we need to look at health," he said. "Get to a point where you walk time-wise instead of length-wise."

To ensure a healthy diet, Brown suggests making a list of healthy foods and going to the store after a workout.

Off-and-on Tom: Works out off-and-on and he has a busy schedule. But he is overweight.

For this type, Brown suggests getting a gym membership and finding a buddy. Shoot some basketball. Make it diverse.

"Someone like him needs a financial commitment and a friend to keep them going," Brown said.

Already active: This type is already active but plateaus all the time. He or she might lose six pounds in April because it's summer and then gain 12 pounds over the winter.

"That's the best type for kickboxing," Brown said. "They want to be fit. Go to different activities like yoga, jazzercise."

Go-getter: Puts all of his or her energy into one activity like the treadmill.

"They run, run, run and never stop," he said. "Need diversity. Needs a change of pace that's more challenging."

No matter what type of person you are, Brown said it is important to remember the goal of exercising and eating right.

"I like looking good, but it's all superficial," he said. "You are shooting for something superficial that will go away some day. But if you shoot for health and self defense, then the six pack is easy."

He said for the past 25 years he has had the same advice for his clients.

"When it all boils down, it goes down to accountability and a desire," Brown said. "Start small and do something you want to do. Don't go out and try one thing and hope it will spark you. Do something you like to do and do it to the best of your ability and in the process keep trying to do new things."

Visit?www.shogunmartialartscenter.com for more information about the classes Renshi Brown teaches. Classes include, Okinawan Kenpo, Ju-Jitsu and Kobudo.

Finding motivation

Sometimes a desire to get fit is not the problem, it's staying motivated to keep in shape that presents a stumbling block.

Well, the Staying Motivated to Lose Weight or Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle workshop to be held June 10 might be just the thing for you.

Sponsored by Healthy for Life, the T.E. Atkins University of Missouri Wellness Program for faculty and staff, the workshop will present the basic steps required to lose weight and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Teresa Blanc, School of Nursing faculty member, Nurse Practitioner and author of "Beat Obesity: You Can if You Think You Can," is leading the event to be held on both UMKC campuses.

The free workshop will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. on the Hospital Hill Campus in the New Health Sciences Building, Room 4307, and from 12:50-1:30 p.m. on the Volker Campus in the Administrative Center, Gillham Park Room.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Laurie Goldstein at GoldsteinLJ@umsystem.edu.

- Alexia Stout-Lang