by Cody Ryder

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

How wrestlers lose weight fast

There are many ways that wrestlers, especially at the high school level, cut weight. This is done in order to reduce weight prior to weighing in at matches or tournaments. Some, if not most of these methods can be dangerous and anyone attempting them should be cautious. It should also be noted that these methods are not considered healthy nor do they promote permanent weight loss. They are considered "quick fixes" which can be done anywhere from a week to a day prior to a weigh in.

The first method is something that can go on for an entire season. Many wrestlers simply choose to eat less. They skip one or two meals a day (usually breakfast and lunch) and then eat a very light dinner. It is important to eat correctly during the one or two meals you have. You should begin the day by drinking milk along with some type of multivitamin. This helps to make sure you are still receiving the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals that you would normally get throughout the day. And when you eat dinner, make sure there is a mix of vegetable (green, uncooked vegetables are best) and meat (preferably lean beef or chicken. That way you get both fiber and protein. Doing this will make you feel weak, lethargic, tired, and possibly dizzy for the first few days. After a while, your body will adapt to the lack of food and you won't feel as bad. Doing this throughout an entire wrestling season (which lasts almost four months) can wreak havoc on your body but usually doesn't cause any irreparable damage.

Another thing that helps wrestlers lose weight quickly are the practices themselves. High school wrestlers spend between two to four hours a day after school practices. The rooms they use, which are about the size of a large classroom, are filled with somewhere between thirty to forty wrestlers. In such a small room, this makes the air thick and hard to breathe. Sweat is the only thing you can smell. If the school gets enough money from the state, they may decide to put heaters in their wrestling rooms. When you fill a small room to maximum capacity and turn the heat up to 85 degrees, you can lose up to five pounds in a single practice. As if this weren't enough, many wrestlers decide to wear two layers or heavy sweatshirts while practicing.

Yet another way to lose weight is to work out in a trash bag. This makes you sweat more and makes in so that the sweat doesn't cool your body down. You simply cut holes for the arms and head and wear the bag underneath

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>