Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Weight Loss

Weight Loss

Who said losing weight had to be tedious and boring? So many people view getting into shape to be a tiring and daunting task. In reality, it doesn’t have to be. Normally, to lose weight you have to incorporate good eating habits and cardio. First thing to come to mind was ugh, when you read the word ”cardio” huh? I for myself have always been a pretty active person but after graduating high school and landing my first desk job, I started to feel a little more sluggish. I wasn’t exercising consistently or eating the greatest foods. In high school, it was wonderful; I literally ate like a machine and stayed chiseled.

As your body starts to age, the metabolism also slows. Unless you take steps to keep your metabolism working at optimal levels. It all comes down to simply exercising, and eating and drinking right. To want to exercise you have to have a reason that motivates you. Some use appearance, some like how they feel and some just enjoy it. I believe enjoying what you’re doing really helps because you then look forward to exercising and reap all the health benefits, make sense? So I started looking into martial arts and came across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a form of ground martial arts that focuses on self defense, chokes and submissions.

I was somewhat optimistic at first. I was out of shape and wasn’t sure if I could keep up. First class was interesting. I started off by meeting everyone who was nice because there were no egos like expected. We start off with a warm up, which is about 15 minutes. The first class I could already feel the pain through the warm up. After the warm up the teacher goes through drills and teaches the position of the day. This was easy enough but tiring at first. Normally drills last about 40 minutes, then comes the real fun. Everyone gets prepared to grapple, which allows you to roll with your partner and try to perform the move taught that day. You also use what you know to try and submit your opponent. grappling sessions normally last 6 minutes. I’m going to be honest, after the first grapple; I thought I was going to die. Usually there are four grapple sessions a class.

I decided to hang in there and continue to grapple all four sessions. Afterwards I was brighter than an apple, my head was spinning, and I felt as if I was going to pass out. After class, I had muscles sore that I didn’t even know existed and thought I had been hit by a Mack truck and was just dreaming. I had ice packs on every part of my body. I thought hard about the next class, and if I should dare go back. I don’t mind pain but didn’t want to look like a fool. I just sucked it up and started going regularly. After about three months your body starts to adapt to the art.

The bruises start to disappear and for the most part so do the sore muscles. Not even realizing it, I had lost 18 pounds of fat within the first three months of training. I’m not even sure the amount of muscle gained during that period. All I know is that I really enjoy it now, and it’s a great way to maintain a good physique. I currently only attend class three days a week. I also run a little to try and increase my cardio vascular health. During the time that I have been a student to Jiu-Jitsu, I have also cleaned up my diet and drink close to a gallon of water a day. All processed foods and fast foods have been eliminated from my diet, for the most part. Soda (My addiction) also was no more.

I can say I feel great again, energetic and fresh. So many people have asked if Jiu-Jitsu will help lose weight. My answer to them is YES, if you eat right and go at least three days a week, you definitely will lose weight and get in great cardiovascular shape. So don’t be afraid to explore and look for an activity that interest you and will get you motivated. Not only have I lost weight, but I have also met awesome people along the way.