So let me set the stage before asking the question.

I've never been a mouthy, cocky, arrogant person. But I've never been afraid to speak my mind and I've got a bad habit of jumping into the fray if I feel a need to. For example if I see someone shoplifting at the store I'll grab them by the ear and drag them to a manager or security. If I'm at a bar or restaurant and someone smacks their wife/gf I'm more than happy to knock them on their ass.

At 6'1" 350ish this wasn't a big challenge and although I've never looked "intimidating" I've rarely been challenged simply because of size. I've never been one to pick a fight but I've always been one to stand my ground. Walking through bad parts of town or even downtown late at night has never concerned me and my wife and many friends always want me to accompany them in those situations for that very reason.

So now the question, having the surgery and losing the weight do you ever feel more vulnerable? Like physically vulnerable? I'm not like scared out of my mind over this but you lose a certain edge giving up the size.

For myself I've decided to enroll in Krav Maga lessons, I figure along it's good exercise (along with the gym) but also very practical and might alleviate those concerns. And I'd rather have the ability to defend myself and never need it rather than risk a confrontation going wrong.

Am I the only one who has thought this?

I don't know about a physical fight but I could definitely win in a battle of wits with 20 something butterthebean. I was such an idiot.

You really shouldn't leave an opening like that

Otr,

Im right with you, but......

I am a CHL license holder and 8 rounds of 230 grain jacketed hollowpoints will equalize just about any threat! No matter how "BIG" they are!

It only takes 1 round

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It only takes 1 round

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I was always taught 1 round when you are on the offensive(hunting), but when you are defending, pull the trigger till it goes "click"

It's all about round placement you can pull it till it goes click but if you don't hit anything you're still **** out of luck. Practice makes perfect it's the same as driving your big truck cross country do it right the first time.

[ATTACH]8396[/ATTACH]

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I realize this post is a little old, but I wanted to chime in. In 2009 I started training in MMA / Brazilian Jui Jitsu. I was 300lbs at 5"9. I've always been able to handle myself physically and have great flexibility even for people of normal size.

I am worried about some parts of this weight loss.. Right now, I hit like a truck, and rarely get taken down. I am worried that without the weight I might be much easier to be taken down, but that just means I will work more on my wrestling. I also won't be paired up with guys that are 6"3 anymore for the most part because I plan want to get down to 185 which would give me the ability to cut down to 170 for fights.

What the less weight will do for us, is give us much more speed, stamina, and the ability to do many of the moves that fat restricts. Honestly, you will NOT get a better workout then BJJ class. I was active all my life. HS wrestling, football, and gym workouts, but I never sweat so much as I did in BJJ class. It's also not just a workout of your body, but of your mind.

I would suggest to anyone interest in martial arts to look up a FEW schools in your area. Most will offer at least one free class. Some even offer a free month. Try it, see if it's for you, try other schools, and find one that fits.

I went to a school in middletown, NJ after we had a house fire and had to move in with my father for a year, and it was an amazing school. The instructor was and is one of the best I know. When we moved ot Toms River, I had to leave that school due to distance, and I shopped schools all over, and even some with guys that are in the UFC and I didn't care for any of them. Find one that believes in you as a person, now a dollar sign. Those are the ones that you will succeed the most with.

I was a competitive player in Judo since 8 years old, not once have I ever had to do anything outside the dojo or mat relating to Judo outside of work. I think, personally, if you manage your weight, and instead of being skinny fat, you put on some muscle, it will offset the look of "huge and imposing" and turn it in to "masculine and strong" which should have the same effect, it's not like many punk mess with guys who look like they can handle themselves. I'm also a big believer in "mental appearance" or "verbal judo". It's how you come across to others, your attitude and personality within such conflict will determine the other parties response.

Walking up to someone saying "uh hey, stop?" isn't going to turn a lot of heads. But a deeper stern tone is gonna have a different response. In law enforcement, I used to worry about losing weight, but I've seen guys half my size right now hold their own without any issues. And, as said, worst case scenario, my .45 will do my talking for me in the event it's absolutely necessary. Most conflicts can be avoided with a cool collective head, it's not too hard. And not to say anything negative about BJJ or anything, I'm a huge fan, but in all honesty, most actual conflicts where physical contact is not in any way avoidable, say a robbery, if you're not a chl carrier and completely trained, I don't recommend the false hope of putting someone down who faces you with a firearm or tire Iron. If it's all hands on no weapons, that's different. Took a call one night of a black belt karate master God of kung fu who got his ass handed to him by a 17 year old with a 2x4. He was apparently legit, had all kinds of medals and all kinds of belt displays and certs on his wall, but I don't think they taught him how to block a 2x4 to the back of the head numerous times.

Yea, since I started MMA I haven't had a single outside "fight" BJJ is a good combat art, but to be totally affective it needs to be combined with other forms. I Study Judo along side BJJ, and I also take boxing, Mua Thai, and submission wrestling.

Honestly, unless you are out asking for it, most of the time you won't get into situation that resort to fists. I'm a biker, and hang with some pretty rough guys and manage to keep myself out of trouble by simply giving respect where it's due, and presenting myself with confidence and calm in situations that are getting heated.

I'd rather "fight" with my friends at the gym and others in the game because they aren't out to hurt you, just to win the match. The ones that aren't don't usually last very long in the game.

Respect. You hit the nail on the head. Too many people walking around like they don't have to respect anyone because they don't personally know them. The whole I'm not gonna respect you until you earn it instead of I'm going to respect you until you give me a reason not to.

Man, I would not want to piss any of you guys off in a dark alley at night. Lol! Seriously, you guys have my respect. This thread is awesome. I will stand up for someone and do the right thing but you guys take the man card to a new level with fighting techniques. Badass to the bone. I am an average type and would not have it in me to Jackie chan some shop lifter onto their ass. Maybe someday. For now I write software for the government and play fiddle in my free time. Hardly badass.