Hard on your self, good, or bad

[Laborn]

First of all hi again lol, been awile.

Ok well, I train pretty hard, im wondering if the way im trainig is healthy, for instance, everyone tells me i have a good looking 6 pack, and i have alot of muscles and well defined muscles, especially for a 15 year old, but I dont see it, I push it aside and push my self harder, if I go to a tournament and even if I win the matches, im mad at my self, because i review and review and review the tape, finding my weakneses, and then I work hard on those weaknesses, everyone tells me im very quick with y feet, I dont see it, i see it as im slow and I need to get better, so i bought resistance cords, yesterday, and i worked with them for a complete hour yesterday with my leggs alone, i work all the time with weights and everything.

Basically I'm hard on my self, to force my self to get better at area's that people tell me im already good at, did that make sense? is that a healthy way of training?.

[Laborn]

Also, if im running, if I get tired I force my self to run faster, if im doing pushups and I feel like I cant go anymore I force my self to do at least 25 more, if I get winded while fighting at my Dojang, I ask to fight again imediatly, forcing my self to gather enough ernergy to fight even when im tired. is it healthy

[Andrew Green]

Can be, depending on exactly what you are doing.

Overtraining is a common thing, and will get you going backwards, no improving.

A clear example of being hard on yourself being bad - Anorexia.

Doesn't matter that everyone is telling them they are too thin and should eat more, they refuse thinking they are not thin enough...

[dubljay]

Pushing yourself is never bad. Wanting to do better because you know you can is a virture. But I also you can't ignore your body. Pushing past fatigue is ok, so long as you don't endanger yourself.

[Gemini]

I've wrestled with this my whole life. I've always been very self-critical. I'm only now (much older than you) realizing it isn't always a good thing. I agree, pushing yourself can be good as long as you're realistic about you goals. Try to be better today than yesterday, but don't try to be your ultimate self at one shot. I would recommend setting your goals at smaller intervals than I used to do for myself. Being constantly frustrated is not the way to improve. Watch your tapes if you want. I still do, but when you see something you don't like, just figure out a way to improve it. Don't beat yourself up over it. I look over the past 30 years and realize I put myself through rough times for absolutely no reason. Ultimately, I improved through determination, not self-criticsm. They're not the same thing.

[Laborn]

Like once at church, I was sparring sort of with a friend, he got me in the face, well I was ticked, so I made my training harder, see that's how I am, not satisfied with what I already have, I want more and more, I want to imporve and keep improving. im a very odd 15 year old lol.

Laborm

[MJS]

There's never anything wrong with wanting to be better. However, as Andrew said, you dont want to over do it. Getting better at something is not going to happen overnight, no matter what you do. Take your time and work yourself up to your next goal at a realistic pace.

Mike

[Lisa]

Like once at church, I was sparring sort of with a friend, he got me in the face, well I was ticked, so I made my training harder, see that's how I am, not satisfied with what I already have, I want more and more, I want to imporve and keep improving. im a very odd 15 year old lol.

Laborm

Well at least at 15 you have a focus. That in itself is good. I have to agree with the others and really like what Gemini said about determination as opposed to self-criticism. We become our own worst enemies when we are too hard on ourselves and that, in turn, stops us from achieving our goals. As long as you are also getting enjoyment out of your training and not physically harming yourself, you should do fine.

[Sapper6]

all things in moderation, grasshopper. :)

[Shaolinwind]

Everyone tells me rest is part of your training. That's about the only thing I know other than train train train.. If you ask me, I say push yourself 'till you puke. But take a day off.


First of all hi again lol, been awile.

Ok well, I train pretty hard, im wondering if the way im trainig is healthy, for instance, everyone tells me i have a good looking 6 pack, and i have alot of muscles and well defined muscles, especially for a 15 year old, but I dont see it, I push it aside and push my self harder, if I go to a tournament and even if I win the matches, im mad at my self, because i review and review and review the tape, finding my weakneses, and then I work hard on those weaknesses, everyone tells me im very quick with y feet, I dont see it, i see it as im slow and I need to get better, so i bought resistance cords, yesterday, and i worked with them for a complete hour yesterday with my leggs alone, i work all the time with weights and everything.

Basically I'm hard on my self, to force my self to get better at area's that people tell me im already good at, did that make sense? is that a healthy way of training?.

[MA-Caver]

Being hard on oneself is a good thing if it's done correctly. Mentally we are our worse critics and can totally demoralize and demean ourselves worse than anyone... if we choose to.
When I'm "hard on myself" I try not to use anything negative; i.e. you moron, idiot, look how stupid that was and so forth. Instead, I try to accent the mistakes in a positive light; i.e. Ohhh, ok obviously you weren't fast enough that time, or your awareness needs enhancing, or any other things that my training, experience needs working on.
You should never, never beat yourself up for something you did wrong in relation to your training. You should strive instead to see what you did wrong and think of ways to correct it.
At 15 focus can be a difficult thing to do unless one has the total commitment. This will mature you faster than you might like but it's not a bad thing at all.
Remind yourself that you are still young and that you do have time to learn. Above all, never stop learning from yourself as well as your instructor.
:asian:

[Flatlander]

I think that the fact that you've commenced this discussion is interesting in and of itself.

Are you seeking permission to let up a bit? Or to drive even harder?

Ask yourself this: what is it that you seek? What motivates you to try so hard?

Further, recognize that we can all find peace in balance. As Sapper said, all things in moderation. Do you apply as much effort in your academics? Your relationships? What is most important to you?

Answer these questions for yourself. Perhaps the answer to this question will reveal itself.

:asian:

[kenpo tiger]

Do you think you are being hard on yourself, or is it really that you are instilling discipline in yourself and your training? You are the only one you have to answer to.

[karatekid1975]

I'm the wrong person to ask that LOL. I am my own worse critic. I am a forms, breaking, and technique geek that you will ever meet. I refuse to have people tell me I can't break because I am female (power break). If I'm not "perfect" (in my mind) with my technique or forms, I get upset with myself. I am only a red belt in TKD, but people tell me that my technique is better than some of the BB's. Yea, but still not good enough in my eyes.

I am a white belt in Jujitsu. I'm not so hard on myself there, but again, when I learn a joint lock or something, I want to do it "right" right away. But that won't happen the first time I learn it, of course. But I still get a bit frustrated LOL.

[Sarah]

One word comes to mind when reading your post "BURNOUT" It is important to push yourself, but just as important to take pride and enjoyment in your accomplishments.

Have you considered keeping a training journal to track your progress, its amazing to look back on and see just how far you have come.

Please have a look at the link below, you may find it interesting:

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/overtraining.html
That said, it is impressive to see someone so young with so much drive, just dont let it drive you into the ground! Have fun with your training :)

[arnisador]

Pushing yourself and coldly analyzing your strengths is good...unless, as suggested, you reach burnout. Moderation!

[Laborn]

Well lol, I got i've found my answer, i've been in a few styles, and sometimes I train til I cant train anymore hence*throwing up, cant stand, feel about to pass out* many times during training, i've thrown up, then continue'd on, and amaizingly, I dont get very much sleep at all, 2-5 hours a night, I have bad nights, because of my life currently. sometimes if I cant sleep,m ill get up and train, which is what I was doing til I decided to check my post right now:) it's 130: and I have to get up at 6 tomorrow so hehe.

Meh i gues I shouldn't be so hard on my self, I dont know why I am, im hard on my self in every way, school, martial arts, street fighting, girls lol. Am I allowed to post a picture of my self with my shirt off? everyone says i have plenty of muscles for my age, but I jsut dont see it, all i see is area's
I have to improve on.

sorry im jsut trying to figure this out :) thank you all.

Laborm

[karatekid1975]

I already posted, but I just re-read your post and all the replies. I think being picky is good (like me), but not to the point of burning yourself out. It's good to push yourself, but not to the point of puking (unless you had mexican food before class LOL). That's a little too much. I understand where you are coming from that you want to be good. So do I. But I don't train to the point of "burn-out" (maybe because I'm twice your age LOL). I just work on a technique and/or combo till I get it right. Just becareful how much and how fast you do stuff. Moderation is important to keep your body and mind from burning out. Specially since you are so young. I don't mean that in a bad way, but you don't want to be "disabled" by the time you are my age.

[Marginal]

Well lol, I got i've found my answer, i've been in a few styles, and sometimes I train til I cant train anymore hence*throwing up, cant stand, feel about to pass out* many times during training, i've thrown up, then continue'd on, and amaizingly, I dont get very much sleep at all, 2-5 hours a night, I have bad nights, because of my life currently. sometimes if I cant sleep,m ill get up and train, which is what I was doing til I decided to check my post right now:) it's 130: and I have to get up at 6 tomorrow so hehe.

Meh i gues I shouldn't be so hard on my self, I dont know why I am, im hard on my self in every way, school, martial arts, street fighting, girls lol. Am I allowed to post a picture of my self with my shirt off? everyone says i have plenty of muscles for my age, but I jsut dont see it, all i see is area's
I have to improve on.

sorry im jsut trying to figure this out :) thank you all.

LabormHere's what you shouldn't be hoping to hear:

OMG! You're so hardcore!

What you should hear:

The part where you train til you can't stand up? Don't do that. Good way to push yourself into death by heatstroke.

[arnisador]

If you're regularly training until you throw up...you have a problem. It's not even productive.

Read up about athletics and rest periods (e.g., in the context of bodybuilding for starters--that's easily accessible info.). Rest and recovery matter (as do sleep and nutrition). Maybe it's a hard time for you and you can't change all of that until you're on your own, but you can control the over-the-top training!

Posting such a picture is OK, I think, but do you need to be a Supporting Member to post attachments?

[searcher]

If you're regularly training until you throw up...you have a problem. It's not even productive.

Read up about athletics and rest periods (e.g., in the context of bodybuilding for starters--that's easily accessible info.). Rest and recovery matter (as do sleep and nutrition). Maybe it's a hard time for you and you can't change all of that until you're on your own, but you can control the over-the-top training!
This is true. If you are pushing this hard then you are going to have more serious problems later on. It will not only effect your training, but will destroy your body in time. The body can only change just so fast. Trying to push yourself beyond what the body is actually capable of is a detriment. I am not talking aboput pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, but actually to the body's breaking point.

[Sarah]

It may seem a silly question, but why are you so pre occupied with how your body looks...are you looking at doing some body building?

If not, then maybe step back and take stock of other things that are important in life and stop obsessing about the package? Try and be satisfied that you are young, healthy and fit.



Of course that is not to say you shouldn’t work on improving the way you look if that is your desire, but when you get to a point when you are pre occupied with it....it may be a sign of other problems?

Good luck, hope you figure it out.

[Laborn]

I'm a confusing person, I want muscles, but only muscles that I can use for fighting, hard to explain, i dont want strength like muscle mass, that takes so long, I want strength I can use quickly. Not sure if that made sense. Everyone tells me how good I look, but I dont see it, i'm actually shy with my body, And I rarely let anyone see me with my shirt off, but im not really sure why lol, my mother says i should be proud that I have a body, but all i see is area's that need improved.

And i've thrown up so many times over the years, from fighting, sparring, training too hard, my last kungfu class, almost everytime we'd spar i'd puke, becuase we wouldn't wear any protective gear, we would just hit, and im hard on my self *obviously* so i always ask to fight the best guys in the class, it's better experience. But im also not a mental case, I love my body and I try not to damage it, I live on nutrition, sometimes i have a hamburger, but mostly nutrition. I donno I gues it's because martial arts has always been someone I enjoy doing, so I train the best I can, jsut to tell you guys lol.

Broken my arm, all my ribs, cracked a few, broken a few fingers and a few toes, dislocated shoulders, one shoulder is frigged and wants to keep popping out, scars...i have alot of scars, broken 2 growth plates in my fingers, and 6 growth plates in my toes, torn both hamstrings countless times, been to the hospital a few times, knee problems but that was because of a fight a few years ago, sucka had a bat:). I jsut dont want to take martial arts to an abusive lvl, I want to train as hard as possible, but not abusive.

Laborm

[Laborn]

And I'm afraid im taking it to an abusive lvl, the more and more im in martial arts, the harder and harder, im training and pushing my self, i've accomplished things in taekwondo in one year, that it takes guys sometimes 9 years to accomplish, but it's because I train so hard, but I want to keep it as *training* not *abuse*

[Sarah]

And i've thrown up so many times over the years, from fighting, sparring, training too hard, my last kungfu class, almost everytime we'd spar i'd puke, becuase we wouldn't wear any protective gear, we would just hit, and im hard on my self *obviously* so i always ask to fight the best guys in the class, it's better experience. But im also not a mental case, I love my body and I try not to damage it, I live on nutrition, sometimes i have a hamburger, but mostly nutrition. I donno I gues it's because martial arts has always been someone I enjoy doing, so I train the best I can, jsut to tell you guys lol.

Broken my arm, all my ribs, cracked a few, broken a few fingers and a few toes, dislocated shoulders, one shoulder is frigged and wants to keep popping out, scars...i have alot of scars, broken 2 growth plates in my fingers, and 6 growth plates in my toes, torn both hamstrings countless times, been to the hospital a few times, knee problems but that was because of a fight a few years ago, sucka had a bat:). I jsut dont want to take martial arts to an abusive lvl, I want to train as hard as possible, but not abusive.

Laborm
Sounds to my like you have gone WAAAY past healthy training habits....possibly even totally bypassing any kind of person and mental growth through your martial arts, especially if you are fighting people on the street.

[arnisador]

I'm a confusing person, I want muscles, but only muscles that I can use for fighting, hard to explain, i dont want strength like muscle mass, that takes so long, I want strength I can use quickly.
Muhammed Ali said something like, "I only want to do exercises that improve my ability to get my fist to his nose" (paraphrased).

You need a good coach. Speak to your phys. ed. teacher if nothing else.

[masherdong]

Self critiquing can be a good thing. If you have learned your techniques properly, then everything should come in place and when you feel that something is not right, then you can say, whoa, I am in the wrong position or my hands are not in the right place. You do not want to over exert yourself and be down on yourself too much because then, you develop a complex of never being able to do anything right. Just my dos centavos.

[Loki]

I also think being hard on yourself can be a great thing if you can see the bigger picture.

If you know your own limits, know when it's going too far and can understand that some things are beyond your capabilities (with a strong will, that's usually temporary), then it's good.

If you get frustrated over things you can't do, don't listen to your body and are hyper-critical of yourself, it's bad.

Your comment on getting mad at yourself for mistakes at tournaments is a sign that you have at least a tendancy towards the latter case. Analyzing your mistakes is probably the best method of self-improvement, but you should never get mad at yourself for giving it your best. Try to think about it objectively, incorporate the conclusions into your training and improve.

I also consider myself a perfectionist, but I've learned to see my limits and impose a break on myself every now and then. I see it as effective to think of my reaction to my instructor were he to push me as hard as I used to push myself. I'd probably quit. My "inner instructor" is still tough, but understanding and tells me that sometimes it's better to rest and not train to the burnout point.

The bottom line is that you should learn from your mistakes in your approach to training as well as your mistakes in training itself. Best of luck!

[Laborn]

Sounds to my like you have gone WAAAY past healthy training habits....possibly even totally bypassing any kind of person and mental growth through your martial arts, especially if you are fighting people on the street.
I only fight if I have to, and I try to talk my way out of it, but when you live in a backwater place, where there's 5 sexual preditors within a half of a mile from my doorstep, and druggies across the street, and well of course the gangs.

My problem is everyone knows im a martial artist, so i gues they wander *can he beat me, or can i beat him* so they challenge me *comon you ***** * that type of stuff, i jsut shrug at that, because words only hurt you if you allow them to hurt you, but when they jump me...i either fight back or get beat, so i have no choice really.

[Laborn]

Plus theirs some certain people who are trying to knife me, *things with my ex, which is partly why I have problems sleeping* so exactly what should I do if they jump me? I mean i've ran before, but it usually doesn't work, Im usually jogging so my leggs are already tired. Not being mean but if guys jump you, what else is there?

Btw thank you all, :D

Laborm

[Marginal]

What happened with the guy who wanted to fight you because of your ankle weights?

Your neighborhood sounds like something you'd only expect to find in Double Dragon.

[Laborn]

Well I took care of that problem. My mouth gets me into alot of jams heh.
Yes my neighborhood is quite rough

[Laborn]

But thank you guys for the help, i really appreciate it, but one more thing, have i taken training to an abuse? insted of training my mind and body, am i abusing my self?
some people tell me i am abusing my self, but others say ....oh please i can do that..no swet, i know their full of crap, but it still doesn't help you know lol, like i got 15 lbs weights i use, i run with 10 lbs dumbells, their hard enough, my friend came over and he said *oh dude thats wussy...i run with 20 lbs* i know he cant be serious, but after hearing it awile i gues you start to believe anything. So sopme of me thinks i trian too hard, but then some is like, o please you wussy others train harder.

[Flying Crane]

But thank you guys for the help, i really appreciate it, but one more thing, have i taken training to an abuse? insted of training my mind and body, am i abusing my self?
some people tell me i am abusing my self, but others say ....oh please i can do that..no swet, i know their full of crap, but it still doesn't help you know lol, like i got 15 lbs weights i use, i run with 10 lbs dumbells, their hard enough, my friend came over and he said *oh dude thats wussy...i run with 20 lbs* i know he cant be serious, but after hearing it awile i gues you start to believe anything. So sopme of me thinks i trian too hard, but then some is like, o please you wussy others train harder.
Only you can decide if you are overdoing it. If you are always in pain or suffering injuries, not just soreness from use, but actually getting injured, you are overdoing it. It's ok to push the limits to see what you can do, but if you get injured, it could last a lifetime so use some common sense, work up to it, and use some caution. It is important to let your body rest regularly, tho.

[Laborn]

True, but usually i get hurt from accidents, like if im tired really tired and kicking the bag, i mgiht hit it wrong and sprain my ankle...or slip and fall outside. and well sparring...we try to win but we hurt each other accidently.

[mantis]

find a balance
u need rest just as much as you need exercise
let me know when u become the next bruce lee

[Flying Crane]

True, but usually i get hurt from accidents, like if im tired really tired and kicking the bag, i mgiht hit it wrong and sprain my ankle...or slip and fall outside. and well sparring...we try to win but we hurt each other accidently.
OK, perfect example: you are too tired and continue to kick the bag, and sprain your ankle. time to back off and rest. Accidents like this are a message to you. Time to wake up and listen to what your body is telling you. you found your limit the hard way.

[Kenpodoc]

Better to train smart not just hard. The best training finds a balance between hard and easy and between intensity and relaxation. Human bodies can do more than most people believe but they also have finite limits. It's hard to describe how to find balance but if you look you'll find it exists.

Jeff

[Kenpodoc]

find a balance
u need rest just as much as you need exercise
let me know when u become the next bruce lee
Good point. Bruce is a good example of someone who trained hard and burned out before he could reach his full potential.

Jeff

[arnisador]

Bruce is a good example of someone who trained hard and burned out before he could reach his full potential.
Bruce Lee? Who died of a reaction to a drug?

[Kenpodoc]

Bruce Lee? Who died of a reaction to a drug?
He died of cerebral edema at least according to the reported autopsy. Possibly due to a simple drug reaction but in my experience these are usually deaths related to someone who has worked a little harder than average to consume substances in an attempt to relax, have fun whatever. Frequently people who work or train extra hard also feel they have the right to play extra hard. Just my personal observation.

I have not read the actual autopsy report just second hand descriptions of the cause of death. Enter the Dragon is the movie which initially inspired me to study Martial arts and I respect Mr. Lee as an inspired, hard working and influencial artist.

Respectfully,

Jeff

[arnisador]

The cerebral edema was attributed to a reaction to a headache powder he took, if memory serves.

[Flying Crane]

The cerebral edema was attributed to a reaction to a headache powder he took, if memory serves.
This is also what I have read. I think a few years back, there was an interview in one of the Martial Arts mags, probably Blackbelt or Inside Kung-Fu, with the woman who was Bruce's friend, who gave him the medicine. If memory serves, it was some kind of a prescription pain killer. If true, I guess this is a perfect example of why not to share prescription medication with people...

[arnisador]

I thought it wasn over-the-counter headache powder (given to him by his mistress) that may have reacted with a prescription medicine he was taking...I'm not sure! I know the headache powder ("Goody's"?) was the trigger.

[Kenpodoc]

The official story is that he had an unusual reaction to equagesic. (An Meprobamate and asprin combination.) The cerebral edema without other signs of drug reaction makes allergy an unlikely cause. a single equagesic would be very unlikely to cause this reaction. Meprobamate however has some severe complications when combined with other drugs (demerol for example.) I do not know what drugs he was tested for and when a person dies especially a celebrity everyone circles the wagon and the truth is difficult to find.

I responded to the Bruce Lee comment just because whatever the reason for his death, he died young and may not be a good role model for a long life in the martial arts.

Jeff