Stinkin Thinkin!

This is me 8 years ago at about 32 years of age. This was a stressful time in my life but no excuses. Thinking back to what my state of mind was when I was in this condition? ABS are for the young, the BMI chart is wrong, 167 is too light for me, ABS are genetic so why try. In essence I was settling for mediocrity instead of striving for excellence!

This is me 3 months ago at 190 lbs and 40 years old! When I looked in the mirror I did not see that I was overweight. I actually believed that the BMI charts were wrong and there was no way for me to weigh 167 lbs and be any healthier!

Now this is me 3 months later at 40 years young! I am now 174 lbs on my way to my ideal weight of 167! The biggest change is inside of my head. Although I am careful about what I put in my body I am equally as careful about what I put in my brain. I try to be conscientious about my thoughts keeping me focused and positive!

I realize now that the only thing that was holding me back was myself! All the reasons; work, kids, time, money, age, and whatever else were really not reasons but excuses!

I truly believe that all of this time from the age of 32 to 40 the only thing that was holding me back from better health and fitness was my Stinkin Thinkin and limiting beliefs!

See you on the other side,

Bryan Klein

"Changing the World... One Kick... One Punch... One Karate Student at a Time!"

Making a Difference!

OR


Two years ago my son wanted nothing more in the world then a Nintendo Wii. As always I waited until a few weeks before the holidays to do my shopping and much to my surprise they were actually out of stock!

I tried everything, from bribing the manager to calling the official Wii store in NYC with no luck! Finally I gave in and purchased the Wii off of Ebay for $500! Looking back it is hard to believe that it took $500 and so much effort to make a 7 year old happy.

What is harder to believe is that throughout the world there are still millions of children that are needlessly suffering from diseases, deformities and lack of health care. Many of these families are so poor that they have very little prospect of ever being helped. All they can do is pray that someday, someone will help them!

This year we will be setting a goal to change the lives of 200 children who are suffering with a cleft pallet.

Introducing the “200 Smiles Project”

The Smile Train is a non-profit organization that provides free Cleft Pallet Surgeries to children throughout the world. Many of these children cannot eat or speak properly. They are not allowed to attend school or hold a job and they face very difficult lives filled with shame, isolation, pain and heartache.

The good news is every single child with a cleft can be helped with surgery that costs as little as $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes.

HERE IS HOW OUR STUDENTS CAN CHANGE A LIFE

We are asking our students to put their focus, concentration, determination and perseverance to good use, making a difference in the lives of children who are needlessly suffering with cleft pallets. We would like 200 students to make a promise to try their best to raise $250 between January 2010 and January 2011. Unbelievably each of those 200 students represents the hope for a changed life! Most importantly we will once again be proving that no matter what your age you can make a difference!

Please contact me if you would like to be a part of this life changing project!

Sometimes We Use Words....

Whenever I feel like giving up on my goals. I think about my friend John LiButti. He has a saying, "We carry the message and sometimes we use words"....

Here is his picture.... notice the kicking leg.... I think the picture says enough!

Beliefs, Challenge and Friends

I used to hold the belief that having your abs show was genetic. Throughout life this belief was reinforced by instructors and trainers who told me that people are either born with it or not!

Looking back it was those same instructors who were eating Big Macs and Whoppers for lunch that were giving this advice.

At some point I was fortunate to meet some new friends that challenged me to question my beliefs about health and fitness.

In three short months I managed to completely change the way I look, but more importantly I have changed the way I feel inside. Now I am challenging all my limiting beliefs allowing me to abandon mediocrity and strive towards excellence!

Here is what I have learned:

1. You become like the people you hang around! I began setting and achieving more substantial goals when I started hanging around people that challenged me to strive towards excellence and be my best.

2. I began to get rid of everything in my life that represented mediocrity! Too much TV, Too much Snack Food, Too much Negativity! I started to get rid of all the mediocrity and negativity that was holding me back! Don’t settle for mediocrity! Remember, Misery Loves Company!

3. I Challenged my beliefs! I began to identify what beliefs were holding me back and then I set out to prove myself wrong! I started by looking for people who were already achieving the results I was looking for and then following their model for success!

Here are some of my beliefs that I am challenging as part of my Black Belt Test:

Abs are genetic!

Flexibility and attaining the split is genetic!

Performing in front of groups is painful!

I will let you know how it all turns out,

Bryan Klein

Welcome to My Blog!

Hello – My name is Bryan Klein and I would like to thank you for visiting my blog!

Although I am a Fifth Degree Black Belt I decided to start from white belt in a new system and work my way up to a First Degree under Master George Calderon, Sixth Degree Black Belt under the world renowned Ernie Reyes.

I am using this blog as a way to document my training and hopefuly provide an example to my students as to what it means to LIVE WITH BLACK BELT EXCELENCE!

I have some very distinct goals for my test so I am recording them here for the WORLD to see!

There is no turning back now so here are my Top Three Goals:
1. I will go to the test in the absolute best shape of my adult life, if not the best shape in my entire life! My ideal weight is 167 and will show up weighing exactly 167 no more no less!
2. I will pass the physical fitness portion of the test and meet or exceed the following requirements:Push Ups: 75Pull Ups: 10Sit Ups: 60Split: Minimum of 6 Inches from Floor
3. I will use my leadership skills to make a difference. I will kick start the 200 Smile Project and be responsible for initiating at least 100 commitments to this project prior to my test date in February.
4. I will document at least 5 of my heroes on this site for all to see. By documenting heroes I will be introducing myself and students to these individuals we will be opening our minds to think in terms of excellence and possibilities rather than mediocrity and limits.

So there it is for the world to see.... I hope you visit my blog frequently and I look forward towards sharing this journey with you.

Bryan Klein
United Taekwondo Academy
Manalapan NJ
BKTKD@aol.com
www.discoverUTA.com