Jiu-Jitsu and Weightloss, a Great Combination

Are you envious of the people at the gym working out that come across as if it’s so effortless they’re addicted? Well have I got some news for you, you can be one of them. Brazilian jiu-jitsu for weight loss is said to be addictive, and a workout that results in weight loss. Yes, that’s right; you can be addicted to weight loss.

 

I have learned that if there is one thing that society has in common, it is the issue of weight. Let me be as precise as possible, the issue of weight is never being too skinny, only too heavy. How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say “I look heavy”, “I feel heavy”, “I am heavy”? Now, here is where you disconnect your self from the rest of the whining yet do zilch people in our society. You do something about it, go out and get addicted to weight loss and Brazilian jiu-jitsu can help.

 

If you have ever seen a Samurai warrior movie you already know what jiu-jitsu looks like since that is, after all its origin. It is an ancient martial art which consists of punches, throws, kicks, and weapons. At the same time as grappling and ground fighting, commit to memory that leverage is one of the key techniques in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Practice makes perfect, and in order to be addicted to jiu-jitsu for weight loss you have to know the exact techniques.

 

Here is a modest plan you may want to follow to keep from becoming too addicted, but to ensure you are the right amount addicted. Try starting out with Brazilian jiu-jitsu 3-4 times a week and circuit training 2-3 times. If what you want to say at the end of this goal is “I look skinny”, “I feel fat”, “I am Skinny”, then I would also advocate throwing in running at least 2 times a week to start.

 

Let me be as precise as possible once again, you are not going to get the results you want within 2 weeks, nor without a suitable diet. The devil on your shoulder is going to have to reject laziness, Oreo’s and cupcakes. And the Angel in your head is going to have to say yes to protein. Fish, chicken, steak, vegetables, and baked potatoes should be on the top of your grocery shopping list from now on. For the sweet toothed, rice cakes and peanut butter is your new desert. Jiu-Jitsu alone is not the answer, but part of an overall plan.

 

I said you could be addicted to weight loss, I never said it would be effortless. It takes perseverance and aspiration. Jiu-jitsu for weight loss can not only turn out to be addictive in terms of weight loss, but also in terms of self defense. There is an old jiu-jitsu practice that puts your mind in a tranquil state where personal, emotional, or physical limitations are no longer present. Through jiu-jitsu you will see that it is the power in the mind that overpowers, not the body.

Fading Glory? Or Aging Gracefully?

 

Fading Glory? Or Aging Gracefully?

Today’s essay is a bit different from anything I have written before. Everything I write in this article has been kicking around the inside of my brain for weeks, months, dare I say a few years, and it’s not getting any better. It is now that I look to you, my faithful blog followers, to please consider the following, feeling free to share similar experiences you may be going through as well.

While it seems strange to write, and even more surreal to hear spoken out loud, I am in my late 40’s, and nearing 50. Yes, 50 years old. Not 50 dollars, not 50 pounds, but I have spent nearly half a century on this Earth. While the number itself does not bother me, as it does some, the transformations my body is going through is quite bothersome both mentally and physically. From an early age, I was always very athletic, playing baseball and football on a both a collegiate and professional level, while taking pride in the shape I was in and the strength, stamina and speed I had. So far this sounds not so unusual, I know; we’ve all had our ‘hey day’ where we were at the top of our game and in the best shape of our lives. While many find that entering into middle age is the best time of their lives; a time to rejuvenate, focus on health and fitness in hopes of extending life expectancy, I find myself in a different category at the present time (but with any luck, you will see a post a few months from now where there has been progress and transformation taking place).

After having suffered various athletic injuries and had a near-death car accident or two, I have now come this far to find myself lacking energy, struggling with chest pains (yes, they’ve been checked out and I was told it was stress) , stomach & digestive maladies, constantly tight, aching muscles, routine headaches…. I think you get the picture. What I don’t ‘get’ is how I got this way. I am someone who, just a decade or so ago was out to conquer the world… I was braving wild rapids, trekking across the globe to make it to Everest, spending much of my time as a dive master off the beautiful coral reefs in the state I call home. I love the water; being out on the open sea with the warm salt water spray leaving a trail behind me as I head to my favorite fishing grounds. I am at total peace in the water. When I’m diving, the problems of the world are left on the surface, with nothing but captivating creatures and awe-inspiring formations in an underwater world where time ceases to exist (well, okay… Keep an eye on the O2 left in the tank, for sure, but you know what I mean).

Now that I am dealing with all these injuries and age-related consequences, I find myself depressed. Depressed that I have weight to lose and it’s hard to come off at this age; particularly when I have the legs of a 20 year old but carry all my weight in my stomach. I’m now very hesitant (I sometimes even use the word ‘scared’) to dive and do what I love most, for fear I could have a heart attack. I can’t walk up a flight of stairs without feeling winded!

I know all you fitness buffs out there will say “cut back on your portions, what are you eating, are you drinking lots of water, are you exercising….?” The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “yes!” which is what makes this all so frustrating. I like to walk; I load a book on tape onto the iPod and take walks along my favorite bays or a bike through the Everglades. I bought a Wii Fit, a Wii Active; a recumbent bike for the road that I thought would put the least amount of stress on my injured neck/shoulder. I’ve joined gyms; standard gyms, gyms that offer spinning classes, boxing gyms. I love to turkey hunt and scout the woods prior to opening season, but now even that is something I won’t do alone, for fear I could experience problems in the woods.

My question to everyone out there, and please DO reply to this post, is this: What have you done, or do you currently do to either deal with ‘old sports injuries’ / ‘old age’, or to KEEP yourself healthy and strong as you advance in years? Do you know of anyone that has been an inspiration to you, who has helped you along the way? Please tell us your story, so we can ALL continue to be ‘out there’ doing what we love to do most… Spending time in the Great Outdoors and having a high quality of life.

 

Why Cardio Boxing Classes may work for you!

Pump Up the Cardio

 

Everyone knows that having good cardiovascular health is critical to living a healthy life, but if you are someone that is just starting out on your own weight loss quest, ‘getting there’ can seem like a daunting task and the ‘how to do it’ can be confusing. Having a healthy heart and lungs means your body is getting the oxygen it needs to repair tissue and keep your organs working at their optimal capacity.  If you find yourself becoming winded by walking up the stairs or doing household tasks, a light cardio workout is a great place for you to begin your journey toward a healthier You in the New Year; you will actually discover you have MORE energy if you make the time to exercise your heart and lungs through some good heart-pumping exercise.  Depending on your fitness level, cardio kickboxing could be an ideal way for you to have some fun while strengthening your body and getting a good overall workout.

 

 

Cardio Kickboxing is a great way for those that deal with depression or stress to get some endorphins surging and not only will you find your stress level is reduced, but you will subsequently sleep better too!  Committing to a cardio workout like kickboxing is great because it requires very little in the way of gear.  Since most people start off in a traditional class setting, learning the moves and combinations that are used, all that is needed are the clothes on your back and the appropriate sneakers on your feet.  If you then find you really like it and want to move on to incorporate a heavy bag or a sparring partner in your workout, the investment in a decent pair of gloves is minimal compared to some workout routines that may require extensive equipment or machines.

 

Whether you are already regularly exercising and are looking for something to keep your attention through the New Year or you are just starting out, a good cardio workout will undoubtedly be addicting; you will see an increase in your stamina, you’ll find yourself feeling refreshed after a good nights’ sleep and over time, you will notice that you are firmer and stronger than ever. You might even make some great new friends!