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'You Have No One To Blame But Yourself If You Do Not Improve'

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By reviving his martial-arts regimen, Pete Bihorel has lost 30 pounds.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 30, 2008

Pete Bihorel, 57, Lutz

Height: 5-foot-9

Starting weight: 202

Current weight: 182

Why I did it: It was a gradual weight gain. I was always active, and I was involved in martial arts for years. Several years ago, I quit martial arts and I aged. And with age, I lost that discipline. I ate and ate more. I weighed probably 180 pounds most of the past 30 years. But in the past five years I gained weight. I felt uncomfortable. I had a hard time bending and tying my shoes. It was about both my mental and physical appearance. My wife heard me complain and reminded me that I enjoyed martial arts, and she suggested I go back to it.

How I did it: About 20 years ago, I was smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, and a buddy told me I needed to find something to replace smoking. I started going to the Tae Kwon Do school. I quit smoking and never went back. I worked my way up to first-degree black belt.

Then I quit martial arts for various reasons: The kids were getting older, and various activities came up. I kept the discipline up but over time became more sedentary and lost my focus. Four months ago, I went down to the Yung Ho Tae Kwon Do school and expected to start at the white-belt level. It didn't matter to me. They said no, in tae kwon do, you retain your belt. But there was a lot I had to redo. It's been hard ... both mentally and physically.

Right now, I'm not where I want to be. I practice at home every day and go to the studio three times a week. Every other Saturday, they have intensive black-belt training. I hope to test for my second-degree black belt in July.

In my case, the discipline I learned through tae kwon do enabled me to reduce the portions I used to eat. I used to kid people that I ate enough for two adults. That's fine when you're training. When my wife and I went out in the old days, she would suggest sharing food, and I thought it was odd. Now, we share. I get just 4 or 6 ounces of meat. And I've just about eliminated fried foods. It's now about taking in what I need. It's not that I ever was a glutton. Eating now is more logical.

Hurdles: Many years had passed, and the thought of returning to disciplined training at an age when people think of taking it easy made me (and others) question whether I could return to that lifestyle. Tae kwon do is a way of life. Your philosophy and mindset improves with every obstacle you encounter. It doesn't change a problem you face, but it makes facing that problem a little less challenging.

Going the distance: I have worked for every pound I have lost. The training and discipline is such that it makes you stronger, not only physically but mentally. Whether your goal is to lose weight, feel better or increase your self-confidence, tae kwon do will get you there. But you work for it.

You have no one to blame but yourself if you do not improve. What you put into the training is far less than what you receive from the staff. They encourage and motivate you, but only you can get where you want to be. You are your own competitor.

Best advice: Find an activity that requires self-discipline. Martial arts is not for everyone, but it can provide everyone with a better way of viewing their limits and how best to change or get around them.

Keyword: Lost It, to tell us about a weight-loss plan that works for you. Or send your story to mshedden@tampatrib.com or Mary Shedden, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606.

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