First, I would like to issue a small warning. This annual outlook will be very self-centered in terms of my own life. So, readers be warned or reassured, depending on how you want to look at it.
Morbidly obese
This year, I quickly realized that something had to change in my life. I had reached a BMI of 42 and was therefore already officially morbidly obese. I also had a congenital heart defect and during a routine examination a cardiologist at the DHZB recommended that I talk to my GP about having Ozempic prescribed. A good friend of mine had already talked to me about Ozempic and had also suggested a stomach reduction.
In March we, the Kobukai Berlin, had organized a seminar with our teacher Ulf Rott. Ulf was also worried about me. The weight was really getting to me. My stamina was miserable, and I could no longer perform certain techniques properly because they were too strenuous. That’s when it clicked for me. Something had to change.
But I was still a bit rebellious. Under no circumstances did I want to be prescribed medication or undergo an operation. I read up on various effective and quick methods of losing weight and decided on the most natural one there is: Fasting. I implemented Alternate Day Fasting into my daily routine in a slightly modified version. Which ultimately meant fasting Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And otherwise try to eat normally.
This turned out to be the most effective method for me. In April I had already lost the first 10 kg. In July it was 17.5 kg. And in November I reached my annual record of 25 kg.
The relief that this has brought to my life is wonderful. I have more stamina, I feel more energized, and I can finally perform some of our Suwari techniques again.
Now, in November, I have decided to stop fasting during the dark, depressing winter months. On the one hand, I no longer have the willpower to resist every treat and, on the other, the darkness also affects my mood. As a result, I have also put on some weight again. But I don’t think that’s particularly bad. Now I’m still in obesity level 2 with a BMI of 38. On the other hand, I also want to give my body a break.
One thing is certain for me: I want to continue fasting in the coming year. I want to get down to obesity level 1, I want to exercise more and become healthier!
A lot of Seminars
This year I helped organize three martial arts seminars. Not only that, but we also had the great honor of hosting the seminar with Sugino Sensei this year. It was stressful, but also a complete success.
One thing I still need to learn to deal with better is accepting praise. I still have problems accepting praise. People are now even giving me things to say thank you. That’s something I’m happy about. But it’s also something that doesn’t quite fit in my head.
This year, and probably last year too, I hardly attended any external seminars. I would like to change that again in the future. So, I was more pleased that I was able to travel to Stara Wies this year with several members of our dojo. That was my highlight of the year.
Kobukai is growing
What made me very happy this year was that so many of us were able to successfully pass their exams. We also gained a lot of beginners this year and it is a joy to see how they progress and slowly become more confident. We have already planned many special events for the coming year, and I hope that our dojo will become stronger and that we can grow into an even closer community.
Personal goals for the coming year
I want to come out of my shell more and take part in more social events. I want to go to more external seminars and see more of the world. I want to manage my money better in the future. I want to stay strong in my training, lose more weight and learn more through audio books. I want to help the people I care about, and I want to practice being more honest with myself.
And with that, I wish you all a happy new year 2025!