Jun 19, 2009 11:56 pm US/Eastern
Martial Arts Turns N.J. Woman Into Lethal Weapon
First Done To Lose Weight, Maimunah Holland Has Turned Sport Into Obsession And Is Now Amateur Boxing Champ
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Maimunah Holland before she started doing mixed martial arts and after.
CBS
If someone said you could get incredibly fit, lose weight and turn your body into a lethal weapon all at the same time, you'd probably pay attention.
But is that actually what happens when you literally "kick it up a notch" in a martial arts training program?
Maimunah Holland is a two-time national amateur boxing champion. Her mixed martial arts training has not only taken her to new heights, but also helped her lose 55 pounds.
"I found muscles I didn't even know women have," Holland said. "As I'm getting older I'm getting new muscle development, getting leaner in places I didn't get before."
A month ago Holland was much heavier than she is now. A decade ago, you wouldn't recognize her. But now there's no forgetting her – with abs to die for.
"But I just feel good. I feel powerful, you know? I do know I can defend myself and protect myself. I'm not afraid of what might happen," Holland said.
Her sister -- already doing it -- encouraged the 34-year-old to get into mixed martial arts. She ended up meeting her husband, who became her trainer and motivator.
"She's always been determined, always had the best attitude," husband Paul Querito said.
Mixed martial arts is a three-dimensional workout. Not only are you working your upper body, you're also working you're lower body and in the meantime trimming your mid-section.
"You burn over 750 calories in an hour," Holland said.
That's in a day. But when she first started she was training three hours a week as a novice, shedding 20 pounds in three months.
But as she showed CBS 2 HD it's not about losing weight but feeling confident, even when facing seven-time champion who happens to be twice her size.
"She's nuts but in a good way," national champion Uriah Hall said of Holland. "She's really friendly, the sweetest person you'll ever meet. But if you fight her in the ring you're done for."
To which Holland added, "I don't go into a situation thinking, 'Oh my gosh. I'm going to be in danger.' I go in thinking they better watch out. I might knock them out," Holland said.
And she just might do that this fall competing in the World Combat League -- on Tiger Schulmann's New Jersey team.
Another potential benefit of martial arts is improved flexibility since most programs incorporate stretching exercises in their workouts.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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