More to Fencing Than Meets the Eye

Jaw-dropping swordplay and charged up entertainment are not just found in the latest pirate epic on the silver screen. The sport of fencing has all the excitement of swordplay, without the messy results! The use of swords in battle goes back to the ancient eras, and by the middle ages, it had become particularly popular among the English gentry. Fencing evolved into a sport of its own, and within a few hundred years, rules emerged to define the sport. Fencing equipment evolved along with the rules and conventions of fencing.

Fencing made its Olympic debut in 1896 when the governing body added to its roster of events one for the foil. The foil is the fencing sword used most commonly in the sport, both by experienced and beginners alike. The foil began as a training tool in the 1700s, something beginners used before taking up a small sword. The torso of the body is the typical target for one using a foil. Later in the 1900s, the Olympic committee expanded their fencing events to include the epee and the saber. The epee is similar to the foil in that you score with the point of the weapon, though it is heavier with a three-sided, stiffer blade. Those using an epee are not only aiming for the torso, but can target other areas of the body like the arm and even the foot.

The saber excels at cutting and thrusting, which is one of the reasons that competitors can use the edge of the blade to earn what are considered valid touches in competition. In the case of the foil and the epee, where the point lands determines a valid touch.

The epee was introduced for women’s competition in 1996, and the saber in 2004. One goes back to 1924 to find the first women’s foil fencing showcased as an event.  Individual and team events comprise the competition.

Fencing gear is not just comprised of the weapons; protective clothing is vital in preventing injury. One should never fence without appropriate gear, since serious injury could otherwise occur. Gear typically used in practice and competition includes chest protector for women, gloves, jacket, mask, under-arm protector, fencing shoes, socks, and pants.

Fencing is an exciting competitive sport that has a long and storied past. By participating in this sport, you get a taste of history and tradition. You could be a participant in the middle of the action, or you could just be a fascinated observer; in any case, there is so much to enjoy about the exciting sport of fencing.

Weight Loss Strategies For Success

Shattered New Year’s resolutions are a familiar tale, one perhaps we’ve all experienced.  Sure, we make a resolution to get serious about losing weight and improving physical fitness, but then a few weeks later we’re back to the same old habits. Regardless, there is something inside of us that causes that change in thinking, that initial motivation to make the resolution in the first place. Taking that short term motivation and transforming it into something enduring that is the trick.  Be sure to come up with a sensible eating plan that includes a balanced diet, since that is a foundational change on the road to losing weight.  There are also several avenues to establishing a fitness routine.

Unique sports can give you a jump start at putting together a great physical fitness routine. For example, you might consider gathering some fencing equipment and picking up a foil. Fencing may not be the first sport to jump to mind when you’re considering sports with great weight loss potential. For those who haven’t tried the sport before, there are classes and courses to take that can get you started. When you do something fresh and new, like take up a new sport, it can contribute to increasing your motivation. By learning new sport rules, getting new competitors, and practicing new techniques, you engage the mind and the body.  Once you have the right fencing gear, you can start participating in a sport that will help you lose weight, gain physical skills, and discover something new and different.

If you wish to use a more traditional method of weight loss, there is always the option of joining a gym and using a personal trainer. There are advantages to this more common way of trying to lose weight.    Personal trainers are by profession fitness motivators, so if you need someone to keep you honest, it is a way to achieve that. Gyms have many different types of equipment available for use at a variety of hours.  If you’re lucky, the club will also have a swimming pool for more low intensity workouts.  If your tastes run to a more traditional approach to weight loss, this may be the option for you.

Whether you choose to learn an exciting new sport or take a traditional route to physical fitness, you will see results if you maintain consistency. Having strong motivators is ideal, and possible options are learning a new sport or getting a partner in training. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting a workout regimen; you can get current readings on your health to establish a baseline.

For more information on fencing, you can check out the community site at Fencing.Net or visit the US Fencing Association.

Stratgies for Good Health and Exercise

You don’t have to look far to find people that are anxious to lose weight these days.   With the exploding obesity epidemic, it seems like everyone is trying to find ways to keep their weight down. Strategies for weight loss vary from expert to expert, with even some experts claiming we have no control over our weight! Whom to believe? Who has the most reliable methods of slimming your waistline or just maintaining your current healthy weight? If you survey the chorus of voices, there seem to be some common threads running through all of the various recommendations.

First, experts insist that physical fitness is an integral part of weight loss. Perhaps you prefer to head to the gym for your workouts, or perhaps you are an adventurous fencer gathering up your fencing equipment for a match. Perhaps you’re a marathoner, or you like to play indoor volleyball.  Competitive sports, such as fencing, are great ideas for those who want a workout that is never boring, and is a solid full body workout.  When maintaining proper form, fencing uses all of the body’s large muscle groups.  Additionally, you have to maintain sharp mental focus, which contributes to keeping a workout fresh and interesting.

Alongside your plan for great physical fitness, you need to implement a diet strategy that limits refined sugar and flours, and maximizes vegetables and protein.    Late night infomercials promise weight loss in a bottle – a magic pill, if you will – that will solve your troubles with minimal work, but don’t fall for it. The only pathway to true physical health is by taking a holistic approach devoid of expensive pills boasting dubious claims.

Limiting simple carbohydrates is a good idea, since they metabolize similarly to simple sugars.  A snack that is high in carbohydrates but low in nutrients and protein is unlikely to be a snack that satisfies long-term. Snacks high in protein and nutrients have the nutritional bang to last long while providing much needed goodness to the body.  The real rule of thumb is to practice moderation. Moderation is easier said than done, but once you develop healthy habits, it becomes second nature. Weight loss is rarely easy, but with solid strategies in place, success is within your reach.