BJJ for short fat guys...

I would like any advice you may have other than stretch, cardio and lose weight :) (I know I NEED to do all 3). I am 5'7" and around 300 pounds. In a week or two I'm planning on starting some classes. I'm very excited and hope this will be the start of my life transformation. I used to be very active and competitive. In high school I wrestled, when I was in college and until I moved from FL to IL I played Rugby. Since being in IL I have done nothing... Thanks to a friend at work I have found a great interest in BJJ.

My wife and I just moved from an apartment to a house. I have her blessing to buy a mat for the house. My buddy from work Pat Jones is a big fan of the 10th Planet system, hes a bigger guy too, we plan on rolling and learning the10th Planet system together (I think he knows some of it already). Once I have the basic in bjj down I plan on hitting 10th Planet Chicago once a week to work on my game.

I figured I would share the start of journey with you guys.

Thanks,

Mikey

It will be hard, but keep it up!

Awesome bud! Keep us updated.

Don't get frustrated when certain aspects of the game are difficult for you because of your size. There are almost always options and modifications you can make to techniques to make them work for you. Triangles can be hard to sinch up if you have big thighs and short legs, but by adjusting your angle a bit differently then how the smaller guys do it you'll be able to lock it up. Just remember that most instructionals aren't designed for bigger guys so if you try something and it doesn't work make some positioning adjustments and keep trying. Also, remember to have fun, it makes learning easier. Good luck and come to the forum with any specific questions or problems that may come up.

I'm not 300 lbs (I walk around at about 190) but I am vertically challenged (5'8"). I have a very compact body and my legs are short and BIG. I find myself working lockdown sweeps mostly because my guard just sucks. I tried to improve my guard but to no avail. I won't lie, your big belly is going to get in the way and you will need to lose it but pace yourself and focus on technique. There is NO substitute for technique. Get on a diet plan and stick to it. Get on a decent cardio plan and stick to it. And really really really focus on technique. Oh and focus on technique. Trust me - if you are "grunting" you are doing it wrong. Be smooth and chill and be technical. That's all I have to offer. Welcome to 10thPlanet.

if you ask me, short heavy guys take a bit longer to get used to the technique in bjj.. but when they start getting competent... man, theres noone id not rather roll with. short heavy guys with developed games are the only people that can completely nullify me.
in my opinion, bjj is best suited for short heavy guys.. well its a known fact that judo is, so i guess its not that strange.

"In a week or two I'm planning on starting some classes"

Thats the most important part, once you get started everything else will fall into place. Man I started April 2010 at 31 years old and 280lbs. In March 2011 I weighed in at 193 (i was shootin for 199 lol guess I was a little nervous) for my first tournament and won my division. Im walking around at 210 now and Im shooting for 189 for my next tournament in august.

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Originally Posted by Chris Leavelle

"In a week or two I'm planning on starting some classes"

Thats the most important part, once you get started everything else will fall into place. Man I started April 2010 at 31 years old and 280lbs. In March 2011 I weighed in at 193 (i was shootin for 199 lol guess I was a little nervous) for my first tournament and won my division. Im walking around at 210 now and Im shooting for 189 for my next tournament in august.

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That is Awesome Chris!

Having a background in wrestling is a big plus, youll be fine. At first just develop a sick top game. Then worry about everything else

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Originally Posted by Mike Bunten

I would like any advice you may have other than stretch, cardio and lose weight :)

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Sounds like you know what you need to get done to get to where you want to be physically. So here's a mental game angle *equally as important as the physical game* that can help. I'll use the horse and carrot analogy. You know the way if you tie a carrot to the end of a stick and hold it in front of the horse, the horse will be motivated to go towards it. It knows that if it makes the effort to close the distance between the carrot and itself, it will be rewarded greatly. Same with us, except our carrots are the results of achieving the goals we set for ourselves. Think of as many "carrots" as you can that apply to you personally. For me my "carrots" for training JJ and MMA are increased flexibility, ability to better defend myself and my loved ones, enjoyment, MUCH increased stamina for everyday living, increased resistance to the effects of daily grind stress, quicker reflexes, the ability to increase mental and physical performance while under pressure *few things pale in comparison to someone trying to punch and kick you in the face stress wise, so that deadline that needs to be met won't emotionally hit you as hard.* This just happens to be part of my list of "carrots" to stick with the game plan to get to the goal. I have the list of my carrots written down and magnetized to my fridge so that I can see it daily. It's important that you are able to see this list in clear view multiple times a day. This will be one of your most powerful tools in combating feelings of laziness, low energy, stress all of which can prevent you from achieving your goal/s for the day. Understand that adversity can and WILL come to try to derail you from your goal. Be prepared for it and make the decision now before that adversity/ies hit that you will plow through and continue on your path to your goals. The mental game will carry you far in sticking to your physical game.

Good luck my new Nibi ru brother, and if you don't have a school yet, contact Josh Passini in Chicago. He's the future 10th Planet Chicago affiliate and even if I haven't met him personally yet, I get a great vibe from him and can't wait to train with him at his gym in the Highlands Chicago area called BIMA.

Thanks Kiko,

I have talked with Josh in a PM. Highland Park for me is not accessible during the week due to work and family commitments. At least for now. It's in my grand plan to make it to Highland Park once a week once all this gets going for me.

Except the fact that your closed guard game is not gonna be crazy good. Develop a solid open guard, sweep, and kill from the top. Butterfly guard should be your best friend. My game changed completely when I excepted these facts and subscribed to www.mginaction.com. Marcelo Garcia should be your guide. :cool:

dude one of the instructors at our school, Dusty, was a former wrestler and he always tells us came into bjj years ago pretty overweight, but shit dude now he's lost a ton of weight and is one of the most decorated guys at our school he got something like a gold at pan ams and a bronze at the worlds. dudes a beast.