Making weight at tournaments

[foornaa]

Hey guys, I have a question perhaps some of you can help me with. I have only been to one BJJ tournament before, and I was so on edge of which weight class to choose I went for the slightly heavier one just in case I weighed heavier that day. Sure enough I did, but just barely, the division was 183 lbs to 194 lbs (with a gi) and i was 184 lbs, and I was tiny for that division. The problem is I fluctuate like CRAZY on a day to day basis - anywhere from +/- 6 lbs - it's annoying. I've been putting on some mass lately, and now I have the same problem again for an upcoming tourney this weekend, although its for the next weight class up. Any tricks to keep your weight steady even for a couple days just so I can get a good read on it and sign up for the proper weight division? Or does it really matter if I weigh more? Will they just throw me into the next division? I just don't want to sign up for the lighter one and end up being too heavy and not even be able to compete at all!

For the record, these days I'm at about 188 - 195 lbs.

Thanks for any help.

CP.

[The Don]

great question.. I hope we get some good answers.. I walk around between 265 to 270 on average.. now for most BJJ tourneys I am fine.. but I would like to know more about weight cutting and control for my own.. great question again..

[Avenged]

Honestly IMO BJJ is suppose to be about technique over strength, and although being in the right division is important 5-10lbs is a small diffrence...That being said Its very easy to make sure your weight is lower the next day, as long as you eat a light supper (and eat early) And no carbs after 3pm or so...Then dont eat the next day till after weigh ins and you should be fine...Im pretty small and I can diet off 5lbs in a week without to much hassle.

[foornaa]

Honestly IMO BJJ is suppose to be about technique over strength, and although being in the right division is important 5-10lbs is a small diffrence...That being said Its very easy to make sure your weight is lower the next day, as long as you eat a light supper (and eat early) And no carbs after 3pm or so...Then dont eat the next day till after weigh ins and you should be fine...Im pretty small and I can diet off 5lbs in a week without to much hassle.

That's a very good point about not eating carbs past 3 pm the night before, I'll be sure to do that since I'm just on the cusp of the division I want to be in which is the 187 lbs no gi / 194 lb w/ gi. And BJJ is definitely about technique over strength BUT if he bigger guy is equally as good at it as the smaller guy, the size is gonna play a role IMO. Btw, Avenged I see your from PoCo. You wouldn't happen to be doing the Revolution Tourney this weekend would you?!

[Benu]

Avenged is right about the technique part, but when two guys are equally good the strength factor will come in handy. That is why I cut weight for BJJ tourneys. I normally walk around at 80kg (177lbs), but I fight at 167lbs (163lbs without the gi) in big tournaments, in smaller ones I stay at 181,5lbs. I do notice I huge difference in raw strength, but the smaller guys are faster instead.

The way I cut weight is starting a diet 4-8 weeks before the comp (depending on my weight), I prepare to cut approx 0,5kg (1lbs) per week and 2-4kg(4-8lbs) during the last week. I just stay off excessive carbs, esspecially later during the day. I eat plenty of carbs in the morning and the further the day progresses I focus on protein. During the last week I don't eat almost any carbs, not that I eat very much anyways, just enought to be able to compete. I drink ALOT of water, to make sure I get all salts and other minerals out of my body. Then the day before the tournament I really don't drink much at all and go for a long jog or something with a lot of clothes on.

[foornaa]

Hey Benu, do you not find you're low on energy eating less carbs before the tournament? Like when you compete, you don't feel drained?

[Benu]

The second time I was in a tournament I did, but that was because I had cut 12lbs in 4 days, that beeing 6 lbs too much This is ofcourse a learning process and many guys can't be bothered to do it. But I'm very competetive, so I want to gain maximum advantage over my opponents.

Ofcourse you don't feel like 100% before the competition, but also after cutting weight I get my mindset in totally different. "There's no way I'm going to lose!" & "No way he's gonna get that sweep/pass/submission!!!". I don't really think my weight cutting has affected my performance negatively in an overall perspective atleast. Ofcourse there are pros and cons to everything, but I do see much more pros in cutting than cons.

I think the biggest con in a low carb diet is the fact that you can't be bothered to do technique etc during training, you just wanna roll because your concentration isn't there. Or atleast that's what I'm like. But then again, I find rolling the best training method and technique training before a competition only comes as a tertiary factor after rolling and S&C.

But this depends very much on the fact how long you have been training as well. If you have 6 months of BJJ before a competition, the last 4-8 weeks of technique training can and will be very crucial.

[Rufio]

I am on a low carb diet all the time (for medical reasons) and I have no problem with energy. If you really need energy, then get some caffine in yourself an hour before you start. That is the best way to get energy without carbs.

I personally would worry about cutting weight for a bjj tourney because sometimes you have a long way if you actually want to win the competition. That means if you gas out early you can screw yourself. I don't know how you do after you cut Benu, but I think it would hurt my endurance too much. I haven't tried it so I don't know.

[AshbyAnarchy]

When you're trying to cut the most important thing to remember is everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you, and what works for one guy probably won't work for me. Cutting weight is, unfortunately, a trial and error process. You just have to find a routine that works well for you, so next time you know when you need to start your cut, how hard to push, and the effects it will have on your body. That being said I do have some tips that I use that may work for you.

1) Cut out all unnecessary carbs, calories, and sugars. This means 86 the sodas. (including sweet tea)
2) Try and get an idea of your daily calorie intake so you know what foods you need to combine with each other for optimal nutrition.
3) Multiple small meals a day. 5 or more is ideal.
4) Plan your meals ahead and pick a time to eat. By using a routine you'll be less likely to deviate and your body will burn calories more efficiently.
5) Fiber! Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and will also help curb your cravings for sugary items. You want to try to hit about 5g of fiber in each meal, but if you don't, don't sweat it.
6) Eat leafy greens. Hardly any calories and leafy greens take longer to chew so it tricks your brain into thinking you're eating more.
7) Last but not least. If you have to cook some of your meals, cook enough for one week all at once. This will help keep you on your routine and you won't have to worry so much about overeating, or going over your predetermined calorie goal.

I really hope that at least one or two of these things helps you. It's taken me 5 tournaments and the help of a nutritionist to figure all this out, so now you're already ahead of the curve!

[The Don]

forget for cutting weight.. that is just simply some good eating sense..

Here is a little formula for figuring out what your calorie intake should be.. It is called BMR Basal Metabolic Rate
bmr-calculator/

follow this link.. fill in the information This will give you your BMR..

Your BMR is the number of calories your body would burn in 24 hours if you did nothing.. and I mean nothing.. other then breath let your heart beat.. this does not even count getting up to go to the bathroom.. (that requires energy.)

So what do you do with your BMR???

Well using the formulas on this link harris-benedict-equation/ based upon your level of exercise in a given week you can determine the number of calories your body needs to MAINTAIN your current weight. Now here is the fun part.. If you want to lose weight.. you bring in lower calories.. If you need to gain weight you eat more.. Now use good nutrition sense as well.. should avoid excess sweets and such..

Armed with this and the advice above and good eating habits and proper exercise it should now be easy for you all to hit the desired weight and maintain the weight you want to be at.