Physical Self Defense Begins with Getting in Shape

Physical self defense means using your body as a weapon.

In other areas on this website, we discussed your mental self defense strategies. Now, we focus on HOW to fight back. But before you can fight back, you need to get in shape.

If you're already in shape, you can skip this section and move on to the different physical self defense tactics you can use. If, however, you're not in good physical condition, then you need to work on that or you'll have a very difficult time using the physical moves you'll learn on this website.

I'm not talking about getting into "perfect" shape and having a good looking body. That's not the goal. The goal is to get in good enough shape that you can easily use the defense moves on your attacker. It's not about looking good in your clothes. It's about kicking butt when you need to.

As always, consult your doctor before you start an exercise program and change your eating habits. Once that's done, you can start planning your exercise routine. Try to find fun ways to exercise: walking, jogging, go to the gym or exercise at home. If it's been awhile since you've exercised, take it slow at first and build your way up to 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise.

Every other day, add in some strength training exercises. Lift some weights. Go walking with weights on your ankles. You don't have to lift 100 pound weights. Start off with 5 pound weights and small repetitions. You're not trying to become a weightlifter. You just want to add some muscle to your arms and legs so you can have more power when you defend yourself.

Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Cut down on junk food and fast food. Eat more fresh foods. Drink more water. I know you've heard about drinking 8 glasses of water. There are a lot of people who have a problem with drinking all 8 glasses in a day (including me). Just drink as much as you can.

A lot of us have certain habits that are hard to break like smoking, caffeine, casual drinking of alcoholic beverages and sugar. All of these habits can have negative long term affects on your body's performance. It's good to slowly break yourself of these habits.

It will be difficult at first (caffeine was my addiction), but with persistence and taking it one day at a time, it can be done. Seek help with sticking to your physical goals from friends or family if you need to.

Summary

Before you can use physical self defense tactics in confrontations, you first have to get physically fit. Decide today to become healthier by eating healthier foods. Get rid of the junk food.

Find fun exercise activities to do every day. Build up your muscles with weight training. And slowly get rid of harmful addictions that could ruin your body in the long term.

You don't have to be the most physically fit person on the planet. You just have to be fit enough to defend yourself against possible attackers.

If you want added protection, you can carry pepper spray, a personal alarm or some other self defense product.