Consistency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be challenging due to the demanding nature of the sport. There is no cardio like Jiujitsu cardio and the only way to get it is on the mat. Two years ago when I decided to get back on the mat after about 8 years of little to no martial arts training, was a hard fought battle against my worst enemy: Myself…
I didn’t realize all the bad habits I created throughout the course of that hiatus. Decision after decision I just accepted my situation as a way of being due to my circumstances at the time. One of the worse things I did was stay stuck in the mentality of my circumstances. Though my life got better, I stayed stuck in that way of thinking, “I don’t have the money, I don’t have the time, I am too old, it’s just not clicking, etc.”
“Circumstances never define us, they refine us, if ever they serve to advance us, never undermine us.”
It took me my whole first year and losing my first BJJ competition to start taking myself seriously. If you can’t take yourself serious, who else is going to? Once I found my rhythm, I found that maintaining a regular practice schedule, setting realistic goals, and finding ways to stay motivated helped overcome mental struggles with consistency. Remember that progress takes time, and it's okay to face setbacks along the way. Surrounding myself with a supportive community and focusing on the enjoyment and learning experience made it easier to stay consistent on the BJJ journey.
After looking back at some of the hurdles I had and still have to overcome from time to time, I have jotted down the ones I feel I let hold me back the most.
1. **Time Constraints:** Balancing BJJ training with work, family, and other commitments can be difficult, making it challenging to find consistent practice time. If you want it enough, you will make the time.
2. **Physical Fatigue:** BJJ is physically demanding, and consistent training can lead to fatigue and soreness, potentially affecting motivation to continue. Recovery is super important and knowing how to recover is even more important. Invest in your recovery.
3. **Injury Concerns:** BJJ carries a risk of injuries, and recovering from injuries can disrupt consistent training routines. Nothing stops you faster than an injury. Know your limits and heal up.
4. **Plateaus and Progress:** Periods of slow progress or plateaus in skill development can be discouraging and lead to a lack of motivation to continue training. Ask your BJJ community for help, chances are you are not the only one who has experienced the hang up, and dedicate the time to refining your BJJ on and off the mat.
5. **Financial Costs:** Membership fees, equipment, gear, and expenses for competitions can strain budgets, affecting the ability to train consistently. This is education and therapy for me. Budget accordingly. Plus, I am in a different place in life right now. I couldn’t always afford it, but my Senseis and Professors have always afforded a way for me to train.
6. **Life Changes:** Changes such as moving to a new location, starting a new job, or major life events can disrupt training routines. Priorities first, but don’t neglect yourself and remember why you started.
7. **Mental Challenges:** The mental aspects of BJJ, such as dealing with competition anxiety or negative self-talk, can impact motivation and consistency. This one right here is my biggest adversary. No one is harder on me and how I perform than me. This has to do with how I was raised and some of those old demons resurfacing as insecurity. For me, I am grounded in my faith. Jiujitsu is how I commune with the Almighty. I am with God every time I step on the mat! What keeps you grounded?
8. **Lack of Support:** A lack of a supportive training environment or training partners can make it harder to stay consistent. I believe this most important. The BJJ community serves one another and is not a one sided relationship. Find a good school and a great professor who cares about his/her people.
Overcoming these challenges will require setting clear goals, creating a structured training plan, finding ways to stay motivated, seeking support from fellow practitioners, and prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout and injuries.
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