3:34 PM Wed, May 07, 2008 | Permalink
Melissa Wheeler
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Sara McMann
Olympic Medalist |
Hello Everyone,
I thought today would be a good day to talk about how wrestlers make weight. Just to set the record straight, wrestlers LOVE food! We daydream about it, make lists of all the delicious treats we will eat once we make weight, and indulge every chance we can when we aren't cutting weight. So it is not any easier for us to lose weight than it is for anyone else. The only motivation we have is that when the weigh-in comes, we'd better be on weight. No matter how hard it is, you make weight.
Depending on how much we are over weight, we typically start 2-3 weeks before the weigh-in day. We cut out high calorie foods that contain a lot of fat. That means no more ice cream. Then we add a lot of veggies to give us energy and clear our systems of anything lingering in our intestines. Some wrestlers have to add in extra cardio sessions to get lean. As we get closer to the weigh-in day, all of our food and drink intake is closely monitored. Most people don't think about it, but water alters your weight, too. The day before we weigh-in, almost all water is stopped. Then we usually sweat as much weight as we can to shed those last pounds. This is typically done in a sauna. We try to keep our actual weight around 3-5 pounds heavier and lose it through water weight on the last day. This helps us to immediately drink back our weight and recover faster.
After we weigh in, we drink plenty of water and electrolyte replacement drinks. We don't compete until the next morning, so we go out to dinner to pack in the carbs. It is really difficult to keep from overeating because we have been diligent for so long. Also, making weight gives us a tremendous sense of accomplishment. We were able to deny our urges and do extra workouts on top of our daily practices. Naturally, we want to celebrate. This is where we have to remember that we don't want to feel stuffed and bloated for the competition. Smart wrestlers eat two small meals and let their food digest slowly.
After the competition is over, we plan on eating well with the best of intentions. I have not met anyone who can actually do this :-D We are well aware of the fact that we must weigh in again, but typically we try to enjoy that week before we start the next cycle of losing weight. We have to have fun some time!
On a side note: Contrary to what some people believe, this is not classified as an eating disorder. We do not do these things because we look in the mirror and think we are fat. We lose weight only to reach our goal, then we eat. If we are losing too much weight, coaches encourage wrestlers to get stronger and move up a weight class. We try to compete at the lowest body fat percentage to maximize our strength advantages.
Hi Sarah my name is marisa i wrestle for RioRancho High School at weight class 103 im a sophmore ive been wrestling for 3 years. I look up to you as a hero you are an awesome wrestler I hope to be as good as you one day! email me back I would be so happy!! I have you articles on my wall and your pictures! hope to hear from you soon take care