"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!" When I started jiujitsu, my girlfriends would always gasp and point at my bruises in disgust. They've gotten used to it, but that doesn't mean that they think its ok. They shriek when they hear about my matburns and cringe when I talk about cauliflower ear. Jiujitsu is not a pretty sport, and I think it takes a certain kind of girl to be OK with all these... atrocities. So here are a few things I do to keep the ugly side of jiujitsu at bay:1. TAPE
Mueller/LPL tape is a godsend for your fingers. I like to tape my fingers right below the nail, to protect them from getting calloused and dark from grips.
The best way to do it is to cut the tape into small, long strips. This provides more mobility for the fingers.
Just wrap it around your finger, like so. I usually wrap three fingers, although it looks like I need to start wrapping my pinkie as well.
2. ARNICA
I use Arnica ointment on all my bruises. Its most effective when applied immediately after training.
3. KNEE PADS
I used to wear knee pads all the time, but I've gotten lazy since they hurt the backs of my knees. I'll try to look into a different brand next time.
4. MOUTHGUARD
Mouthguards protect your teeth and gums from impact injuries. In the event of a serious blow, it could also prevent concussion and reverberation damage.
5. DEEP CONDITION!
I shampoo my hair almost everyday because of jiujitsu (as opposed to every other day) . Even if I keep my hair in a ponytail/bun, I still find strands here and there- BJJ is murdering my hair! To keep it healthy and manageable, I only use sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, and make sure I deep condition at least once a week.
With regards to cleanliness, I always keep a bar of antibacterial soap and facial wash, betadine/neosporin and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol in my gym bag. After training, I make sure I wash all exposed limbs with soap, then put alcohol, then shower. I know it might seem a bit much, but you never know what kind of diseases those mats are harboring.
What do you do?
Here is my latest war wound (the biggest I've had so far), located on my right knee. Luckily, it is just a bruise and will go away in a matter of days. In the meantime, I am forced to wear pants instead of the dresses I usually wear to work.
Since starting BJJ , I have grown accustomed to the following (much to the dismay of my boyfriend) :
1. Calloused appendages (fingers, toes, knuckles)
2. Mild cauliflower ear
3. Mat burn
4. Busted lips
5. Random scratches
Gross?
Well, BJJ is a contact sport that comes hand in hand with all these injuries. Remember, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!
xoxo!
There are some days where training feels like one big massacre. Especially when I'm going up against the big guys (which is practically everybody in my case). Last night, Anjo kept on trying to choke me as I assumed the turtle guard and I was able to defend it. However, being stronger and heavier and whatnot, he kept on squeezing, trying.. and then finally, I got him off my back and unfortunately, let him have my arm. After that spar, my eyes were bloodshot. Bulging, even. I walked around the mat in a daze and plopped down to explain to Anjo why that choke would not work and then showed him how to do the Bow and Arrow choke, which for me, is quite effective. I still wasn't feeling all that great but I decided to spar with Marc, one of the new purples. I started off trying to play guard but it wasn't working, so I tried to pass him. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful (hence Marc = purple belt, me= 2 stripe white belt). In fact, I was so unsuccessful that Marc was able to keep the knee on the belly position for about 4 mins (Marc weighs almost 160 lbs). Mig was just waiting for me to tap but I didn't. In fact, I was able to get him off by doing the basic escape from knee on the belly but to no avail. Marc got me again. At that point, I just gave up and then let him have my arm. Again, I gave up.
I was surprised that I didn't burst into tears from the knee on the belly. It hurt so much, but I was able to withstand the pain. I went home, feeling quite useless and injured. I couldn't sleep much, kept on tossing and turning. Kept on thinking about my spars and the intense pain in my ribs and back. And yet, I'm going back to training tonight. I just hope the lighter guys will be there today.
