Hey Josh,
In jiu jitsu, if one sees a way to adjust their technique to finish a match or a fight, we adjust. Don't think about your struggle as a "food addiction" try to think of it as a bad "fueling technique" that must be adjusted. In order to operate like a jiu jitsu instructor you must fuel your body like a jiu jitsu instructor. It is part of your jiu jitsu journey.
I'm 5'10" and ballooned up to 230 lbs after a painful back injury. I used to be 175 lbs and very active before my accident. So far I've lost 30 lbs and will lose another 30 to 35 more. The most important thing I've realized for my self is
changing my mind set. I began ask myself what is more important? What do I value more? The temporary pleasure of those cookies or ice cream or extra helpings or whatever your food vice may be, or the long term pleasure of having a body that is healthier and lighter and quicker? Stay focused on your dream to be an instructor. Envision yourself as an instructor in the body you would like, in front of your future students who respect you for your achievements. Then, when you get the urge to over eat or eat something that you know will not help you get to that goal, the ability to resist becomes easier. It's still tough though. It's a long psychological war within yourself which will not be settled overnight. You must choose what side you want to be on. That of the future respected jiu jitsu instructor (Yay!!) or the over-weight over-eater (Boo!!). Every war is won one battle at a time.
Calculate how many balanced calories you'll need get through your normal routine and try to stick to that number. Eliminate empty calories like candy, cakes, lucky charms, soda, juice drinks. Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Consume your calories in smaller meals throughout the day (approx 6 per day). This will keep your metabolism constantly running. End your feeding 3 to 4 hours before going to bed. If for whatever reason you stray from your plan, don't beat yourself up about it. Acknowledge it as a reward for your hard work or as a debt that must be repaid through exercise. But always get back up and continue to fight for what you want in life.
Crosstrain! Ironically, I feel less hungry on the days when I exercise than on the days when I don't. Mix up your work outs, both aerobic and anaerobic. Run, Bike, jump rope, Box, kick box, swim, yoga, circuit train with kettle bells, Ginastica Natural, along with your regular rolling, whatever you can think of doing to get your heart rate up, do it for at least an hour at a time. Mixing it up will help relieve some of the boredom of doing the same exercises over and over. Plus, you won't be taxing to your body in the same way day after day. Do activities that you know will
kick your ass! And when you want to quit because you're too tired, say to yourself, "I love this. This pain is my best friend. This pain is what I need to get to my goal. This is where the benefits happen." If you can't, then you
must! Literally trick your mind into finding pleasure in the exercise. But If you really have to slow down on a day that was supposed to be a hard work out, treat that as a reward, or a debt that will be paid later. Don't worry about it, just remind yourself that you didn't quit, and you kept moving. In my eyes, there is a huge difference between slowing down and stopping completely. On your "rest days" go for a long walks or easy bike rides. I believe is better to move slow and easy than to not move. Your rest days will be to circulate the blood so that the body can deliver the healing nutrients and remove the waste byproduct of your hard work. And
be consistent. This is a new lifestyle you chose for yourself.
Loosing weight is hard work. There's no getting around it. There's no making it easier. Many of us are going through it too. When I see someone super fit, I think maybe they were at one point here were I am now. And they made it. Those people that we see out there exercising are all at different stages of their own personal fitness journey. Once you reach your goal weight, realize that it will take years before your body and mind will begin to lessen the fight to go back to your old "soft" self.
Remember:
- Be Consistent
- Portion control
- Smaller meals spread throughout the day
- Crosstrain
- Be Consistent!
- Use mental tricks to motivate yourself.
- Take it one day at a time.
- Enjoy the fact that you're doing it, you are working toward your dream.
- Be Consistent!
There will be bumps in the road and maybe even some detours. Remain confident in the fact that you know it is only hard work and an adjustment in your "feeding technique" which is standing in the way of you achieving your jiu jitsu dream.
WAR Josh!!!
