How to Cut Weight for a Fight or Match

Anyone who has ever spent time on a wrestling mat or inside the ring has probably had to experience 'cutting weight' in order to be eligible for their event. Following are some suggestions in order to successfully reach your goals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Determination

1. The week prior to your cut be sure to hydrate. Water is the name of the game...You should also eat lightly. Cut your caloric intake but be sure to be taking in a minimum of 1200 calories to prevent muscle loss.
2. The day before the actual 'cut' has arrived. Sad but true, avoid food. Right now the number on the scale is going to dictate your action. Every ounce is going to count, so giving in to a 4 ounce granola bar is going to be four ounces you can save yourself in the sauna the next day. Drink lots and lots of water, pee as much as possible, tomorrow you will be sweating it all out.
3. The Big Cut has arrived. You are hungry, probably tired, a little miserable, and its only going to get worse. Nobody said it was going to be pleasant! Grab yourself a scale, a sauna suit if you have one, and find a sauna. Weigh yourself prior to your cut to keep track of your progress. In most cases its a good idea to have a 'cutting buddy' with you in case you get light-headed. Try to set a specific time for yourself to endure the heat, longer at first (5-10 minutes) with thirty second to one minute breaks in between to step out and get a breath of cool air. To ensure a good sweat that doesn't stop, during your breaks raise your sauna suit up and towel the sweat off. After you have been in for awhile, your stamina will be suffering (hang in there, the torture will be over soon) 2 minutes in, 30 seconds to one minute out is going to feel like a small eternity. You're almost there...remember that as tempting as water may look, every sip you might take is an ounce you'll have to sweat out.

Tips & Warnings

• Glycerin swabs, often found in hospital settings, are often convenient to suck on as they have citric acid on them and cause you to salivate. It helps hold off the almost overwhelming desire to visit the drinking fountain. Gum is also another nice distraction that helps you to salivate.
• Cutting weight is dangerous. Its hard on your body. You are losing water weight and WILL gain it all right back shortly after weigh-ins (your strength will return, also, so don't worry about how weak you feel.) Do not use these methods to get your bikini body. This is not a form of dieting, and should not be done in excess. Consult your doctor before you cut weight, and large cuts should be spanned out over several days.