How to Lose Weight in Wrestling

Most wrestlers feel that they have more success when wrestling at a lower weight class, but cutting weight can be difficult and dangerous. With careful practice, however, you can master the art of cutting weight so that you feel little to no loss of energy by the time your match comes up.

[edit] Steps

  1. Determine the minimum weight you can wrestle at. Most states require certification for high school wrestlers, as do many organizations at other levels. If you're not allowed to go below a certain weight, there's no point in straining yourself.
  2. Try to lose weight slowly over a few months. A good diet and vigorous daily workout can get you to surprisingly low body fat percentage, although running in excess may burn more muscle than fat. Losing body fat is the best way to lose weight, and might keep you from having to cut at all!
  3. Determine how much weight you typically lose overnight. Between dinner and breakfast, you probably use the restroom twice (before and after bed) and lose some water during sleep. Weighing yourself before and after bed every day will allow you to plan ahead. Some people regularly lose two pounds or so every night.
  4. Two days before the match, try to cut down your water intake. Under-hydrating is still a problem. You need water to keep your body systems functioning. Try to drink 3-4 ounces of water every 3 hours before weigh-ins. Try to eat high-energy foods during this time, too.
  5. During the 24 hours before your match, start cutting. If you want to be at your best, you're going to need calories, though, so try to eat foods that have a high calorie-to-weight ratio. Energy bars are usually the best source of calories in a food that only weight a few ounces. The night before your match, weight in before dinner. If you are overweight by more than the amount you normally sleep off, limit yourself to just an energy bar and go to bed.
  6. If you have a very small amount of weight to lose, try spitting into an empty can. Use a pack of gum to encourage saliva production (stronger flavors work best, especially cinnamon). Over the course of a day, you might be able to fill up a 20 ounce bottle or more. Spit weighs more than water, so you might lose two pounds or more. It's a bit gross, and gets much more difficult than you might think, but it is much easier on your body than any other method.
  7. If you have a larger amount of weight to lose, consider running it off. Sauna suits or garbage bag outfits are popular, but very dangerous. Never use one by yourself. Running short, fast laps followed by short breaks works well -- the short bursts raise your temperature enough to make you sweat, but not for long enough to hurt you.
  8. As you lose weight during the day, weigh in often. As soon as you are at or under your weight, stop everything -- it's impossible to gain weight without eating something. If you're slightly underweight, weight in with something in your hand like a banana. If you're still under with the food in hand, eat up.
  9. After you weigh in, avoid the urge to chow down immediately. Depending on how much time you have, drink water or sports drink slowly at first. This allows you to absorb the water and hydrate yourself quickly, food would slow down this absorption.
  10. Only eat what you have to in order to not be hungry. You're not going to gain any energy from your food to make a difference, and you don't want to be sick. There'll be plenty of time to eat after the match


[edit] Tips

  • In most foods, most of the weight is made up of water. By buying foods with a high calorie-to-weight ratio, you can be sure that you're not replacing the water that you're trying to lose!
  • Remember that you're not just trying to lose water weight, you want to lose body fat instead so that the weight will stay off without you being dehydrated.
  • Avoid sugar and candy on match day. It'll give you a little bit of energy at first, but it'll be gone before you can put it to any use.
  • Garbage bag suits may seem like a good idea, but they are VERY dangerous. Only use them when supervised, and as mentioned above, it is best to run a SHORT distance, just long enough to get your body temperature up, and then take a break or you could cause yourself serious harm.


[edit] Warnings

  • Drink plenty of water. It is not worth cutting the weight if you can't wrestle due to dehydration! It's best to drink at least every 10-15 minutes like you are at the gym. However, everybody's body is different so find out what your body takes in from drinking water. Also, drinking sport energy drinks sometimes can slow you down.
  • If you feel a burning or pulsing heat in your chest, head, or abdomen, or if you feel a sharp pain, stop running immediately. This is your body's way of letting you know that it is overheating. You'll still sweat plenty during your rest, but it's important that you cool down.
  • If you feel dizzy, sick, or cold, hang it up for the day. These are signs of dehydration and heat illness. You won't be able to lose any more weight without hurting yourself.
  • Sauna suits and garbage bag shirts can overheat you very quickly. They are NOT a safe or productive way to loose weight. Sauna suits work well under supervision but they really only make you lose water weight quicker than with only a sweater.


[edit] Major Warning Notice

  • Not eating to loose weight is harmfull to your body, You should try to eat healthy everyday. Not eating will make you tired and you may start to feel sick at times during the day.
  • Drink water atleast every 3-4 hours to make sure you don't get dehydrated. Not drinking will make you tired and you may find it harder to concentrate.
  • Excercise is very good for keeping your body healthy and fit. If you ever get any pains while excercising, Stop right away and take a brake.(and a small drink of water) Do not excercise too much!
  • If you get pains alot while you excercise, And your not working yourself too hard, You may feel that you might want to consult your doctor.


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Categories:Wrestling | Losing Weight

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