Need advice
 

Ever since I had my humorous broken in half in a jiu-jitsu tournament December 9th, 2006 and after recovery (I can now say I have 100% motion and strength back in my shoulder/arm), I have only been to my academy once to train. I was actually very successful, still fluid in all movements, defenses, submissions, sweeps and control positions. However, this was almost two months ago and I just can't find myself getting motivated to start training again regularly like I had before my arm being broken so severely. With this being said, any and all advice on how you personally get yourselves motivated or just advice on how I could would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

I've never had a really serious injury (knock on wood) so I can't say that I know the mindset that goes into coming back from such a thing.


For general advice I would say to relax and let it fester. I find that jumping right back in after a small injury isn't always the best way to go. Sometimes taking a while off, even several months is a good thing because you realize how much you miss it. Not having that in your life puts into perspective how important it is.


Conversely, maybe it's not what you thought it was. Maybe there is the chance that it doesn't mean as much to you as it used to. Taking some time off will let you know this as well. If the fire just doesn't come back, it may be a sign.


I have always found that time off is a good thing. I am just now getting back into a new gym after a nearly 3 month layoff. I suck, have lost a few steps, and I hurt all over. But I wouldn't change it for anything.


Give it time, come to peace with whatever you are feeling, and be honest with yourself about what it is that you are feeling. Is it a lack of desire? A fear that you won't be the same coming back? Maybe the possibility of injuring yourself again. Or is it maybe just a good reason to not do something that wasn't in your heart? Or it could just be that you're being lazy and need to kick yourself in the butt.


Whatever it is, give it a few days, a few weeks and ponder it over. Be honest about your feelings and try to come to terms with them. Once you've made peace with yourself it will be much easier to live with whatever decision you make.


Good luck buddy, and I hope you are happy no matter what you decide.

In all honesty, since the injury occurred I had the entire 5 months of being in a cast to think about training and wanting to get back on the mats again. I've now rehabbed myself back and have been lifting for months now trying to achieve that physical peak I was at when I started training in the first place last year. When I went back a few months ago I found out I was in great shape and hadn't lost a step, still molesting the white belts there that had still been progressing since my time off due to injury. It was kind of funny to be honest, no one knew me since I was such an "old-schooler" at this place but I come in there after having my arm broken in half and completely clear the place. I was there til they had to kick me out, and I don't know why I haven't gone back since....

I don't know man, it was just such a downer when everything happened because it was really bad timing. I was really close to a blue belt and now I'd have to start over. I'm so torn with what I want to do with everything I don't know where to start again. I have been lifting and doing cardio to stay in top shape, but I just want that drive to get back into training 5 days a week again because I really enjoy the time I spent on the mat whether it was learning striking or rolling some jiu-jitsu/judo.

That's a tough situation Strife.

I'm glad you're healed and hava couple of questions that may help your decision:

How old are you? Do you have a family? What do you do for a living? All these factors should be considered as they could be altered if you are seriously injured. If they don't play imnto the equation than why not go back and take it slow?

I am 37 and have lots of rag tag injuries that keep me from being hardcore like I was..but I'd kick myself if I never went back at all. That mental stigma is tough to live with too.

Hang in there and remember you have to be happy no matter which way you go.

I never had as serious of an injury as that, but I have torn my ACL a few times. What I have learned is that there is that little bit of doubt in your mind on whether you can do something continually until you do it. Instead of setting your goal to go there 5 days a week, set that goal to be 1 time week one and twice a week for the next two weeks and slowly work your way to 5 days or whatever your goal is. I am sure once you get in the habit of going again you will sit there and wonder why it took you so long to do it.

I'm 21, I don't have a family and I go to school full time. I'm in great shape but I just feel so lazy and useless during the day and I can't find myself wanting to do much of anything. I honestly don't know what's wrong with me. I'm also never hungry until 2pm for some reason.

This might seem like an odd suggestion, but maybe depression? I've had the bug before, and it manifests in strange ways. It's not always the stereotypical symptoms you think of.


Just a thought.

I know that feeling man... all I can say is that when you feel the urge to train then go for it, even if you have to force yourself out of the door! The big problem I found going back when I got hurt a few years ago was to get into the training mentality again. I think a huge part of it is that you feel that you lost your chance at the blue belt and I know how much that can drag you down but give it another go! Make it a goal to reach blue belt like you meant to before the injury and if you don't feel like going after that then you've at least finished what you started out to do.

It's not healthy that I do this, but I really beat myself up mentally when I get lazy or skip a class. I guess it's what I do to motivate myself. Now your situation is a little different because you had an injury. Also I realize that once I get up there (to class) that I'll have fun and enjoy it. It's getting in the car and driving there that is the hard part. It's all how you look at things.

Hey bro...stick in there man....you will feel greatly rewarded when you accomplish what you set out to do.....
Im 21 myself full time student....tore my acl 2 yrs ago and had all ligaments/ some muscles in my shoulder torn(surgery in December) most recently...

competing is a bug man...that you wont easily be rid of....
my injuries have helped me GREATLY when it comes to my grappling and motivation....use it as a drive to push yourself!!!....and at our age....bro this is our only shot.....

this is when you are going to find your character!!....who do you wanna be man???!!........I just know that I would regret it every second if I would have gave up....

and another thing that helps me to keep motivated is to keep reinventing moves that you already know and maybe even stumble on some new inventions for yourself...I keeps you alert...learning......challenging.....and something ever changing.....

Good luck man......I know you have a lot of good people here supporting you...