If you compete in weight-matched sports (e.g. boxing, wrestling, judo, horse racing and rowing), it is often necessary to weigh in before and sometimes after the event. Unfortunately, some athletes compete in a lower weight division than their training weight, and often they try to do this by losing three to six kilos in a few days before competition. This has prompted the use of drastic techniques such as dehydrating in saunas, diuretics, laxatives and spitting. These methods may effectively cause a loss of body weight, but body water, muscle mass and glycogen stores will be lost as well, which means poorer performance and potential health risks.
To perform at your peak, it’s best to start the competitive season at your best weight for your sport. Unless you train and compete year-round, competition time is not the time to “make weight”. Instead, being close to your best weight should be an all-year goal.
Consult a sports dietitian to determine your ideal competition weight. They can also help you with strategies to reach this weight.