When I started jiu-jitsu training in November of 2007, I'd already been on a serious fitness kick for a couple of months. I'd managed to lose about 20 pounds along the way too. But I was still more than 40 pounds heavier than my goal weight. Well, by April of 2008 the combination of jiu-jitsu, resistance training and aerobics put me at my goal weight.

Since then, I've focused almost entirely on jiu-jitsu and have not only kept the weight off, but lost another seven pounds.

 Jiu-jitsu competition requires both technical training and conditioning. The warm up sessions for the technique class include calisthenics and skill-focused drills. Students really work up a sweat in those initial 20 minutes or so of class. The technique presentation and practice session requires repetitive motion to reallly emphasize the body mechanics of the skill being taught. The free-sparring and positional sparring drills also cause students to expend a great deal of calorie-burning energy.

From an activity level alone, jiu-jitsu is a great method for weight loss. Another aspect that makes it ideal for the adult athlete is that the competitions are based on weight classes. So competitors remain conscious of their actual weight so they know what division they will be lined up to compete in.

 My most recent competition required me to actually lose a few more pounds to be in a more favorable weight class. My weight had settled really right around 185, but the division I would have been in ran from 180 to 200. To take advantage of the size difference, many competitors over 200 pounds were likely to be dropping their weight to make it under 200 and fight in the light heavy weight division. Knowing I'd be giving up as much as 25 pounds on the day of the fight, I cut down to 179.

It was such a tremendous feeling to step on the scale and see I was under 180 for the first time in many years. Of course all of that loss was water weight and after replenishing my food stores and rehydrating I'm now settled at about 182. But knowing that I'll need to repeat those steps in the future, I don't want to allow myself to drift too much higher than that in order to make it back to 179 and fight middleweight again.

For those who've struggled with weight issues, achieving a goal weight doesn't do much good if you simply return to old habits and pack the pounds on again.

There are a few simple things to do to stay in your desired range.

Know your daily caloric needs and intake.

Understand and practice portion control.

Stay active and burn the calories you consume each day.

A good meal plan and a good training plan are all you need to achieve your ideal weight. Jiu-jitsu can help you with the activity part and my other hubs can help you with your menu!

http://hubpages.com/hub/260menu

http://hubpages.com/hub/ten_diet_tops

http://hubpages.com/hub/calorie-balance