learning Muay Thai as a heavier person

hi r/muaythai

I hope you all are doing well.

I, 27F, recently started taking muay thai classes and when I say recently, I mean like 3 days ago.

I’ve always been interested in learning it and for the longest time it’s been on my to try bucket list. I’ve always liked how fluid fighters moved and I wanted to be able to move the same. it was kinda like a dance.

Last year, I took a trip to Thailand and I dropped in on a class and I learned the basics, like a jab, cross, hook, body kicks. it was very very basic and my instructor was mainly helping me get my stance and positioning right. After that I class, I promised myself I would commit to learning it and almost a year later I signed up!

However! I a few things working against me that’ll make this a bit challenging.

To start, I’m not in shape at all and I’m quite overweight. I’m 5’2 and 240lbs 😭😭😭.

pls I know, I’ve been struggling with my weight for the past 6yrs and have tried everything under the sun to lose it and I think I finally found something that I enjoy and can stick with.

I tried the regular gym and it was extremely boring. no offence to weight lifters but it’s just soo repetitive and there’s not much mental engagement. at least for me.

I did swimming for a bit cause that’s easier on the joints but having to be wet all the time? no thanks maybe once in awhile but not as for my main source of exercise.

I do go on walks and those are quite enjoyable but I’d like to do something that engages my whole body, you know. If I was at a healthier weight, I would definitely take up running and run as far as my legs can carry me.

The other thing that I’m really interested in doing as a form of working out is climbing/bouldering. It’s basically a puzzle on the wall and I love puzzles and I just know I’d enjoy it. Because,again, I’m not at a healthy weight, that’s on pause for now cause I don’t wanna injure myself or ruin my joints.

So I took up Muay Thai instead and found a gym near my work.

The first few days were pretty intimidating because I’m clearly the biggest and most inexperienced person there and yall I reeaaaalllyy stuck out 😭.

Was I moving around like this was my first time on earth? why yes, yes I was.

Did I know my lefts from my rights? I couldn’t tell you which was which even if my life depended on it

Could I lift my legs up to do any of the kicks? not one bit

But I had soo much fun and everyone was so nice and encouraging and the coaches made me feel like I belong and I should be there and by the time classes were over, any fears I had coming in were mostly gone.

The one thing I am worried about is doing the jump roping for warms cause I’m afraid of making my left knee worse than it already is. I’m not pushing my self too much with it tho, just like doing it for like 15-30 secs for a 4-5 times. instead of the full 5 min.

I impulsively bought a year long membership (no refunds) in hopes of forcing myself to stick with it and really give it an honest shot and prove to myself that I can do hard things and can be committed to myself and my health.

I’m hoping by posting this, it’ll keep me accountable cause now I’m put it out into the world and I can’t take it back. And I’m giving my word.

I will hopefully make a 6 month post and what my progress has been like.

that’s all for now, thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope you all have a nice day/evening wherever you are 😊.