In sports like wrestling, MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing, weight is one of the most important factors you have to deal with. To gain an advantage on your competitor, you want to weigh as much as possible and still qualify. That is why many competitors cut water weight before the weigh-in and then hydrate their bodies before the fight. Strategies like these call for quality wrestling scales and careful planning, and here are weight cutting tips to help you lose some pounds safely and quickly.
How Much is Too Much Weight?
Competitors often have problems because they try to cut too much water weight. This is not healthy, and dehydration is a serious health concern. It’s not a good idea to cut more than five percent of your body weight before an event. For example, a 190-pound man could get down to 180 pounds, without too much trouble. However, a 130-pound woman can tip the wrestling scales at 125 pounds safely. Her loss is less than 5 percent, but women have more body fat than men and shouldn’t try to cut as much weight.
Steps to Cutting Weight – The Week Before
1. Cut out carbs and refined sugar products
2. Absolutely no salt and stay on a low sodium diet
3. Refrain from liquid intake 24 hours before the weigh-in.
4. Cut calories to under 1500 per day.
5. If you are a few pounds within your goal the day before you face the wrestling scales, wear a sauna suit and sit in a sauna to sweat it out.
The Value of Testing
For best results, consider a “trial’ wait cutting week. This gives a good idea of what you can expect, and if you experience difficulties, you can experiment. For instance, you may only need to extend your weight cutting program by a day or so.
