One of the tenets of Karate is unbalance = weight. If you do not have good control over your movements, then it is the same as hanging a weight on your arm or leg.
I view the corollary of this statement as my current situation -- weight = unbalance. My extra weight results in poor footwork and reaction -- I spend too much energy trying to get my body to move where my mind wants it to go. I have felt incredibly sluggish both in karate and when I play some BBall with Alex.
Due to work, I have not been able to get to the Wed. class since I started the diet. Tonight was the first opportunity to attend Wednesday class, which has sparring and is more intense physically overall. Tonight, I could really tell I had dropped some weight. I had much better footwork and overall conditioning was much better (I have been working out more as well). Certainly helps with my overall motivation.
Feel the wrath, baby!