Am I wasting yours and my time?

[Ash Laabs]

Bear with me a bit, it might seem like I'm rambling but I'm not. Alright I grew up loving swords and horses. I collected the swords, but they gave way to the fact that I could ride very well. If I had known back then that this kind of stuff had exsisted I would have done this instead. So I did the horse thing and was kicking butt and taking names, until my senior year in high school when a horse threw me and I landed on the back of my head, and almost broke my neck. It was a few years before I could get the courage up to do anything. Im back at riding, and Im doing mounted archery, but I want to do the sword. Im fully healed, but I gained a bunch of weight due to the depression and the fact that it hurt to move. So, what I'm leading up to is: Do I wait until I loose more weight, or is there stuff that I can be doing now to start with? Books? Training videos? Anything would help. Be honest, but not cruel. Thanks

[Sal Bertucci]

Dude!

Just do it! Being overweight should never be a reason to not do something you're interested in. Sure, it can make things a little difficult at first, but it's also a great way to lose weight.

The neck injury will definitely be a hindrance; you will need to explain it to every practice partner b/c of the majority of strikes that are struck to the head. You would also need to be careful in any ringen that happens. Really, you should probably check with a doctor before you do any sparring. As much as I love this art, it isn't worth getting paralyzed for over an accidental whack or trip.

That being said you're in a great position to practice rossfechten (fighting on horseback)! Tere are several manuals that give specific techniques on what to do, and my understanding of this is that riding the horses is the much more difficult part of that.

In summary: check with your doctor, and if you get the approval then ROCK IT!

[Stacy Clifford]

First, unless your real name is Faustin Black, please edit your username in your profile to your real first and last name in accordance with our forum rules.

Second, I second Sal's advice. Ensure your safety first, but otherwise don't hold yourself back.

Third, I see you're in Texas. Where in Texas? We have several strong study groups around the state that you might be able to join or at least visit occasionally. Check our Practice Partners page, and if you are near the Houston area you are certainly welcome to visit one of our practices and check us out.

[Ash Laabs]

I live more towards Fort Worth.

[Stacy Clifford]

In that case, contact our groups up in DFW and Denton and see about visiting one of them.

[Allen Johnson]

Also it would help to commit to a Paleo Diet or something similar.

[Sal Bertucci]

While plans to reduce weight could play an important role in being more fit I really don't think the discussion of which diet is germane to this forum.