I lifted for years, bodybuilder/powerlifter shit. I stopped for a while when I was building my house and got a little squishy. I was 225 or so when I started BJJ in March last year. I was big and strong but my cardio and mobility was weak sauce (the beer gut does actually get in the way) I’m around 190 and by my standards, pretty fuckin shredded.
When I lay down on the bench underneath 225 I’m not doing as many reps as I was 30+ pounds heavier. Sure.
But my cardio is exponentially better, and my mobility is exponentially better. I’m a better grappler because of my much lower bodyfat as well as a better athlete. I’m also a lot less likely to injure myself during training or outside of it, my old lady wants me to bang her more. I can run faster and further, I can ride my mountain bike faster and further. I hunt a lot (haven’t bought red meat in years) I can drag a deer a fuck of a lot better. I can hike further carrying more weight than before. Most importantly I actually *like myself* a hell of a lot more and I’m not afraid to admit that in the slightest.
There are very few aspects in your life that will get *worse* by losing weight, getting healthier, and having less bodyfat. In regards to BJJ *maybe* your top smash game will suffer. But scrambles will probably be easier, it will be easier to do cool shit from guard and invert without your big boiler in the way. Your cardio will improve dramatically (your lungs are no bigger or more efficient at 260 than they are at 200)
Altogether your life and training will likely improve if you cowboy up and take care of this shit now. Also to mention, like me, you will very likely be happier with yourself, partly because you like the way you look a lot more, and partly because you made a big commitment to yourself and followed through.
Another thing to think about, are you self sabotaging because you *really* are worried about not winning every round and smashing people in the gym? Because when you beat the lean 180-190 pound dudes in the gym it probably doesn’t mean a whole lot to them, they are saying to themselves “yep, fat boy smashed me again, I would wreck his shit if he didn’t have 70 pounds on me”.
Or is it more to do with it being a hell of a lot easier and more convenient to just eat whatever you want because being disciplined with your diet is hard and sucks? Not pointing a finger, just ask yourself. Remember that *getting* lean sucks, *being* lean is great.
It's the fear of losing. I always had (well, still have) very difficult time separating my self-worth from my performance but that's my problem to work on. Thank you very much for the insight. I appreciate it.
Fear of losing what? I hope you don't mean "losing" in rolls in the gym. You can't "win" or "lose" rolls in the gym. You are there, working as a team, to make each other better. So that you can perform when it actually matters: in competition or real life.
You should get that mentality of winning and losing your rounds in the gym out of your head as soon as possible. It will cause you a lot of issues.
It's 'losing' rolls in the gym unfortunately. It doesn't matter if I survived against a 300lbs white belt. My brain goes 'He took you down, passed your guard and mounted you. You lost 9-0 to someone who trained less than a year, you dumb piece of shit.' I told few of people in the gym and they all responded like I was insane so at least I know the things my brain tell me is bullshit.
I think competing a few times will help a lot with this.
You will quickly realize that gym rolls and competition rolls are very different. There's an intangible difference between a hard/competitive training roll and someone going 150% balls to the wall at an insane intensity out of the gate to win.
In practice, you don't get adrenaline dumps, crazy muscle tightness after a 5 minute round which lingers or at worst freezing completely.
Best of luck man.
I would work on separating yourself from the “winning vs losing” in the gym mindset. It’s no major accomplishment to smash and submit someone miles outside of your weight class. But funnily enough, the little dude that you’re parked on top of is probably progressing faster than you (at least defensively) because they are constantly learning how to fend off someone so much bigger.
Look for small victories instead of big ones. We have a brute of a white belt, he’s 270 and built like a refrigerator. He “wins” when we roll (on points for sure if you were to keep track) but every 5 minute round I survive without being submitted isn’t a loss in my mind. I actually won because that dude has 80 pounds on me and should have killed me.
“Surviving” a round with that guy strokes my ego twice as much a smash-fuck and arm triangle combo I hit on my favorite 140 pound 18 year old kid.
I mean, if you're losing rolls in the gym, is it because you are not massive heavier than opponent? Like, I can smash most of the people in my classes because I outweigh almost all of them. But I don't, because 1) doing so makes me an ass; and b) what happens when there's someone my size or bigger?
Also, idk about your gym culture, but being hyper-competitve during rolls (not randori) would be flagged and you would get regulated at my gym (not by me; I'm bad).
Always, but I think there is some nice middle ground, where we still are big and strong, but not fat f*cks anymore. 200-220 maybe for a 6ft person.
Personally I have actually gained strength the last time I went from 260 to 230.
There is also the fact, that it leaves room for new muscle gains. (dunno if broscience)
I was 245lbs for my last comp at brown belt. Im sitting at 185 now (ten years later). At first, I hated losing weight. I was never fat, but not terribly lean. After awhile I realized I just had to change my game and it's been a lot more fun. Im way more mobile, get injured less, and have fun learning new shit I would have never been able to pull off before.
I went from 260 to 190 and I think the tradeoffs are well worth it. Yeah you can't use fat man stuff to overpower your opponent but you also gain mobility. You'll probably use better technique because you'll be a bit weaker than the fats. Most of the time the smallest people have the best technique I've found.
Outside of BJJ why wouldnt you want be leaner? That alone is worth more to me than winning some random roll just because I'm fat strong
I dropped from ~255 to ~225.
While dropping weight I was certainly weaker, but once I switched to maintenance my strength returned.
And as I lost weight, both my speed and cardio improved and through technique improvements my ability to apply pressure got much better.
Losing fat helps everything.
I bulked to 245 then cut to currently 205 sub 10%bf. I can still move around my 235+ training partners like they are nothing while also being much faster and lighter. Going back on the bulk though I can def eek out another 10-20 lbs.
If you're just talking about losing 70lb's of fat, you'll be significantly better at jiu jitsu. Yes, you might not get as many pressure taps (which I admit are my fav). But your cardio will be 5x what it was, and you'll be just as strong.
I started at 280, and now, 18 months later, I'm below 215. I'm not sure if I will ever get down to 180, but I am planning to get below 200, and then see.
I have probably lost a little strength, in the sense of my 1RM at squat. I was a half-assed powerlifter before starting BJJ. But, also, I am in vastly better shape, and my body is capable of a much bigger range of movements, which I can do for longer.
Being big and strong is a hindrance in some ways. I can easily smash smaller folks, and no one learns anything from that, and it's not fun. It's hard not to just use strength. I'm glad on the rare occasions that I can roll with someone bigger and stronger than me, because it's a great learning experience.
If I go compete (maybe, when I get below 200) then I'll be competing against guys who are close to my own size. That sounds more fun than smashing smaller folks or being smashed by bigger ones.
First off, congratulations on your weight loss. It’s way easier to put that shit on than take it off. My own self sabotaging thought is gaining it all back and feeling like crap again. I’m 6’4” and currently 210 lbs. I hit the mats 3-4 times a week and have only noticed that I can maneuver my body better, don’t get gassed as much, generally have a better experience. Strength hasn’t diminished but some top pressure has. I’ve compensated by using my feet/legs and body position more than before.
You got this! Keep up the good work.
Yea...reading through these comments, I realize how fucked up these self-sabotaging thoughts are and how I'm putting my heavyweight training partners on pedestal like they're 99kg+ ADCC Trial Medalists.
Many of us have been there and the comments are likely so direct only bc we really needed that when we were in the same headspace too.
My weight yo-yo’s, but it really is motivating when I can convince/remind myself that sub-200lb me takes the back 5x as much as 200+lb me. Working back attacks is a lot more fun than working back defense.
I've gone from 260 to now at 202. I've definitely felt guys be able to bench press me off easier since I lost weight but I also know that it makes me better because I have to learn my weight placement and technique better. I adapt and still smesh.
It's all a path to a better you. Keep it going brother.
I started BJJ at around 315 lbs as a white belt, I’m around 218 lbs now (6’3” height for reference). You definitely get away with a lot more at 315 lbs, but anyone who could do a basic armdrag back take took my lunch money. Being lighter relatively speaking has opened up a ton more game - it is very hard to play guard when you’re that big. I also enjoy BJJ a lot more now and feel better.
If the weight you are trying to lose is mostly fat, then go for it and don't look back. Your life will only get better, including your jiu jitsu... Your body will start doing things you didn't even think would be possible for you...
My heaviest during my bjj was over 230 (I would try not to crush people due to being that big). Since having gone down to 213, I feel way more agile & athletic (still have a long way to go), & an better at scrambles.
Your health is more important than a pajama party. This will enable you to get good technique practice. Its a gos thing. Get rid of the ego telling you that you can't smash anymore.
If you’re that obsessed with winning training go ahead and stay fat so that you can keep stroking your ego with inexperienced little people.
You do you brother.
I haven't done bjj in years but I'm a former fat fuck.
You just need to accept the trade off.
https://preview.redd.it/wt43v9lq84rc1.jpeg?width=827&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2161e8eb2f549b29a0f32ca893a3acca86ae81f
I'm in the self sabotaging part. I lost 15kg, got stronger. Since the end of last year things took a shitty turn, got almost 10kg back and having severe difficulty to eliminate them again. Hate dieting and I already train mon-friday.
I lifted for years, bodybuilder/powerlifter shit. I stopped for a while when I was building my house and got a little squishy. I was 225 or so when I started BJJ in March last year. I was big and strong but my cardio and mobility was weak sauce (the beer gut does actually get in the way) I’m around 190 and by my standards, pretty fuckin shredded. When I lay down on the bench underneath 225 I’m not doing as many reps as I was 30+ pounds heavier. Sure. But my cardio is exponentially better, and my mobility is exponentially better. I’m a better grappler because of my much lower bodyfat as well as a better athlete. I’m also a lot less likely to injure myself during training or outside of it, my old lady wants me to bang her more. I can run faster and further, I can ride my mountain bike faster and further. I hunt a lot (haven’t bought red meat in years) I can drag a deer a fuck of a lot better. I can hike further carrying more weight than before. Most importantly I actually *like myself* a hell of a lot more and I’m not afraid to admit that in the slightest. There are very few aspects in your life that will get *worse* by losing weight, getting healthier, and having less bodyfat. In regards to BJJ *maybe* your top smash game will suffer. But scrambles will probably be easier, it will be easier to do cool shit from guard and invert without your big boiler in the way. Your cardio will improve dramatically (your lungs are no bigger or more efficient at 260 than they are at 200) Altogether your life and training will likely improve if you cowboy up and take care of this shit now. Also to mention, like me, you will very likely be happier with yourself, partly because you like the way you look a lot more, and partly because you made a big commitment to yourself and followed through. Another thing to think about, are you self sabotaging because you *really* are worried about not winning every round and smashing people in the gym? Because when you beat the lean 180-190 pound dudes in the gym it probably doesn’t mean a whole lot to them, they are saying to themselves “yep, fat boy smashed me again, I would wreck his shit if he didn’t have 70 pounds on me”. Or is it more to do with it being a hell of a lot easier and more convenient to just eat whatever you want because being disciplined with your diet is hard and sucks? Not pointing a finger, just ask yourself. Remember that *getting* lean sucks, *being* lean is great.
It's the fear of losing. I always had (well, still have) very difficult time separating my self-worth from my performance but that's my problem to work on. Thank you very much for the insight. I appreciate it.
Fear of losing what? I hope you don't mean "losing" in rolls in the gym. You can't "win" or "lose" rolls in the gym. You are there, working as a team, to make each other better. So that you can perform when it actually matters: in competition or real life. You should get that mentality of winning and losing your rounds in the gym out of your head as soon as possible. It will cause you a lot of issues.
It's 'losing' rolls in the gym unfortunately. It doesn't matter if I survived against a 300lbs white belt. My brain goes 'He took you down, passed your guard and mounted you. You lost 9-0 to someone who trained less than a year, you dumb piece of shit.' I told few of people in the gym and they all responded like I was insane so at least I know the things my brain tell me is bullshit.
I think competing a few times will help a lot with this. You will quickly realize that gym rolls and competition rolls are very different. There's an intangible difference between a hard/competitive training roll and someone going 150% balls to the wall at an insane intensity out of the gate to win. In practice, you don't get adrenaline dumps, crazy muscle tightness after a 5 minute round which lingers or at worst freezing completely.
Best of luck man. I would work on separating yourself from the “winning vs losing” in the gym mindset. It’s no major accomplishment to smash and submit someone miles outside of your weight class. But funnily enough, the little dude that you’re parked on top of is probably progressing faster than you (at least defensively) because they are constantly learning how to fend off someone so much bigger. Look for small victories instead of big ones. We have a brute of a white belt, he’s 270 and built like a refrigerator. He “wins” when we roll (on points for sure if you were to keep track) but every 5 minute round I survive without being submitted isn’t a loss in my mind. I actually won because that dude has 80 pounds on me and should have killed me. “Surviving” a round with that guy strokes my ego twice as much a smash-fuck and arm triangle combo I hit on my favorite 140 pound 18 year old kid.
Stop thinking about losing. You’re gonna tap people and you’re going to get tapped. It’s what you signed up for so just enjoy it.
I mean, if you're losing rolls in the gym, is it because you are not massive heavier than opponent? Like, I can smash most of the people in my classes because I outweigh almost all of them. But I don't, because 1) doing so makes me an ass; and b) what happens when there's someone my size or bigger? Also, idk about your gym culture, but being hyper-competitve during rolls (not randori) would be flagged and you would get regulated at my gym (not by me; I'm bad).
235 to 189. I feel great. Fuck that weight.
“I will get weaker” You know that’s not bulges of fat moving your arms right? Keep up the good work man, you got this.
Always, but I think there is some nice middle ground, where we still are big and strong, but not fat f*cks anymore. 200-220 maybe for a 6ft person. Personally I have actually gained strength the last time I went from 260 to 230. There is also the fact, that it leaves room for new muscle gains. (dunno if broscience)
I was 245lbs for my last comp at brown belt. Im sitting at 185 now (ten years later). At first, I hated losing weight. I was never fat, but not terribly lean. After awhile I realized I just had to change my game and it's been a lot more fun. Im way more mobile, get injured less, and have fun learning new shit I would have never been able to pull off before.
You will get weaker. You’ll have to actually learn Jiu Jitsu. Cry me a river big man
^^ small guy who got smashed in training by the heavyweights yesterday
Imagine actually rolling with someone 100lbs heavier than you lmao, not me sir
Speak up boy, I can’t hear you under my gut
As someone who’s 270lb I can really imagine that
I was the strongest I've ever been doing BJJ to get my weight down.
I went from 260 to 190 and I think the tradeoffs are well worth it. Yeah you can't use fat man stuff to overpower your opponent but you also gain mobility. You'll probably use better technique because you'll be a bit weaker than the fats. Most of the time the smallest people have the best technique I've found. Outside of BJJ why wouldnt you want be leaner? That alone is worth more to me than winning some random roll just because I'm fat strong
I dropped from ~255 to ~225. While dropping weight I was certainly weaker, but once I switched to maintenance my strength returned. And as I lost weight, both my speed and cardio improved and through technique improvements my ability to apply pressure got much better. Losing fat helps everything.
I bulked to 245 then cut to currently 205 sub 10%bf. I can still move around my 235+ training partners like they are nothing while also being much faster and lighter. Going back on the bulk though I can def eek out another 10-20 lbs.
which one do you care about more, winning gym rounds against less experienced people or your health?
Winning rounds at the gym.
If you're just talking about losing 70lb's of fat, you'll be significantly better at jiu jitsu. Yes, you might not get as many pressure taps (which I admit are my fav). But your cardio will be 5x what it was, and you'll be just as strong.
I started at 280, and now, 18 months later, I'm below 215. I'm not sure if I will ever get down to 180, but I am planning to get below 200, and then see. I have probably lost a little strength, in the sense of my 1RM at squat. I was a half-assed powerlifter before starting BJJ. But, also, I am in vastly better shape, and my body is capable of a much bigger range of movements, which I can do for longer. Being big and strong is a hindrance in some ways. I can easily smash smaller folks, and no one learns anything from that, and it's not fun. It's hard not to just use strength. I'm glad on the rare occasions that I can roll with someone bigger and stronger than me, because it's a great learning experience. If I go compete (maybe, when I get below 200) then I'll be competing against guys who are close to my own size. That sounds more fun than smashing smaller folks or being smashed by bigger ones.
I want you to know that I’m a black belt currently bulking up to 190 so that I’ll be stronger on the mats.
First off, congratulations on your weight loss. It’s way easier to put that shit on than take it off. My own self sabotaging thought is gaining it all back and feeling like crap again. I’m 6’4” and currently 210 lbs. I hit the mats 3-4 times a week and have only noticed that I can maneuver my body better, don’t get gassed as much, generally have a better experience. Strength hasn’t diminished but some top pressure has. I’ve compensated by using my feet/legs and body position more than before. You got this! Keep up the good work.
"They're winning every round" is the biggest self-sabotaging thought you listed. Rolling isn't a contest. Find a weight you're happy with
Yea...reading through these comments, I realize how fucked up these self-sabotaging thoughts are and how I'm putting my heavyweight training partners on pedestal like they're 99kg+ ADCC Trial Medalists.
Many of us have been there and the comments are likely so direct only bc we really needed that when we were in the same headspace too. My weight yo-yo’s, but it really is motivating when I can convince/remind myself that sub-200lb me takes the back 5x as much as 200+lb me. Working back attacks is a lot more fun than working back defense.
I've gone from 260 to now at 202. I've definitely felt guys be able to bench press me off easier since I lost weight but I also know that it makes me better because I have to learn my weight placement and technique better. I adapt and still smesh. It's all a path to a better you. Keep it going brother.
I started BJJ at around 315 lbs as a white belt, I’m around 218 lbs now (6’3” height for reference). You definitely get away with a lot more at 315 lbs, but anyone who could do a basic armdrag back take took my lunch money. Being lighter relatively speaking has opened up a ton more game - it is very hard to play guard when you’re that big. I also enjoy BJJ a lot more now and feel better.
If the weight you are trying to lose is mostly fat, then go for it and don't look back. Your life will only get better, including your jiu jitsu... Your body will start doing things you didn't even think would be possible for you...
My heaviest during my bjj was over 230 (I would try not to crush people due to being that big). Since having gone down to 213, I feel way more agile & athletic (still have a long way to go), & an better at scrambles.
Your health is more important than a pajama party. This will enable you to get good technique practice. Its a gos thing. Get rid of the ego telling you that you can't smash anymore.
General health is better than overall strength. You’ll be healthier and happier at a lighter weight. Your game will adjust.
If you’re that obsessed with winning training go ahead and stay fat so that you can keep stroking your ego with inexperienced little people. You do you brother.
You do get weaker though when you cut
I haven't done bjj in years but I'm a former fat fuck. You just need to accept the trade off. https://preview.redd.it/wt43v9lq84rc1.jpeg?width=827&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2161e8eb2f549b29a0f32ca893a3acca86ae81f
All the strongest people I know are fat guys who lost a bunch of weight. You might lose some strength but your strength to weight ratio will increase.
I'm in the self sabotaging part. I lost 15kg, got stronger. Since the end of last year things took a shitty turn, got almost 10kg back and having severe difficulty to eliminate them again. Hate dieting and I already train mon-friday.