Cutting weight questions

Rahkus · 07-25-2005, 10:55 PM

I've noticed that some fighters eat and drink almost nothing while cutting weight. Sometimes for several days. I was under the impression that low protien intake leads to muscle canibalization. I realise that muscle weighs more than fat but this sounds like it would hurt you rather than help you. It doesn't seem to make sense unless your body fat is well below 5 percent. Not to mention that it will probably kick your body into survival mode and slow your metabolism in the process.

The one thing you always seem to notice is fighters wearing 30 layers of clothing and performing some activity to shed water weight. The UFC DVD's often have weight cutting sessions in the special features. In one instance Rich Frankin was jumping rope and going through some fast paced sparring. However, Randy Couture is usually seen walking on a tredmill at a fairly slow pace. They are both excellent performers so I am rather confused at the different methods used by each of them.

It would be cool if you could share some of your weight cutting stories. What works, what doesn't and why.

Goeth27 · 07-25-2005, 11:00 PM

I thought those were just their routines to get their blood going. I thought for cutting weight they would wear a sweat suit and go running or go in a spa, i never thought that the weigh in was just before the fight, i thought they would have a few days to recoperate.

Crashsti · 07-26-2005, 10:28 AM

cutting weight is little more than really deydrating yourself. i had a friend who wrestled in High School and they would chew gum and spit in a cup all day to help cut weight, along with the usual sweat it out method. the methods a guy uses to cut weight varies on how much he has to cut. some guys like Randy Couture are in great shape all the time so have an easier time making weight. after they make weight they just drink tons of Gatoraid or water. obviously this takes alot out of your body and can hurt your ring performance. its also a time thing. you have what, a few hours to cut weight if you don't get it at the first weigh in?

Rahkus · 07-26-2005, 10:58 AM

A big part of it is obviously body compisition. These guys likely have very little body fat and so that is where I get lost. Are they losing muscle or can they lose 10 pounds of water weight.

There are 3500 calories in one pound of body fat. The highest rated physical activities burn between 1,500 and 1,700 calories per hour. So it would take approximately two hours of intense activity to lose one pound of body fat. (That is assuming that the person doing the activity is doing so on an empty stomach. This way the body uses body fat for fuel.) These guys are losing a hell of alot more than one pound.

Randy says that he likes to be around 215lbs. and then cut to 205lbs. That's 10 pounds over.

I just found something online. A water gallon to pounds of water calculator. Results: 1.3 gallons of water = 10.8 pounds. "If you're an adult, your body contains about 40 quarts or 10 gallons of water."

I think we may have found our answer. In theory this method can be used without starving yourself while cutting weight. It also means that once rehydrated you will weigh 10lbs. more than you did at the weigh-in. Also, you will not suffer the adverse effects of starvation and muscle loss. This is basically the most temporary form of weightloss possible. In the end a heavier fighter is a stronger fighter. Thanks for letting me think out loud fellas.

Crashsti · 07-26-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahkus

A big part of it is obviously body compisition. These guys likely have very little body fat and so that is where I get lost. Are they losing muscle or can they lose 10 pounds of water weight.

There are 3500 calories in one pound of body fat. The highest rated physical activities burn between 1,500 and 1,700 calories per hour. So it would take approximately two hours of intense activity to lose one pound of body fat. (That is assuming that the person doing the activity is doing so on an empty stomach. This way the body uses body fat for fuel.) These guys are losing a hell of alot more than one pound.

Randy says that he likes to be around 215lbs. and then cut to 205lbs. That's 10 pounds over.

I just found something online. A water gallon to pounds of water calculator. Results: 1.3 gallons of water = 10.8 pounds. "If you're an adult, your body contains about 40 quarts or 10 gallons of water."

I think we may have found our answer. In theory this method can be used without starving yourself while cutting weight. It also means that once rehydrated you will weigh 10lbs. more than you did at the weigh-in. Also, you will not suffer the adverse effects of starvation and muscle loss. This is basically the most temporary form of weightloss possible. In the end a heavier fighter is a stronger fighter. Thanks for letting me think out loud fellas.

some guys do actually cut lean mass to make weight. of course they do this long before the fight takes place. Ken Shamrock dropped down to 205 when he fought Tito, Shamrock usually fights at upwards of 225lbs.. not one to make excuses Ken did admit that cutting down to 205 really took alot out of him, hurting his ability to fight Tito.

Rahkus · 07-26-2005, 11:22 AM

I totally agree. I have watched that fight many times and Shamrock did not look like himself. He was slow and lethargic. I want to see Tito step up and fight Ken at heavyweight. I think the result would be quite different if that happened.

About cutting lean mass: I know that some people are forced to do it but this has to be the least desirable form of weight cutting. I think Shamrocks system went into surival mode. His slower metabolism was enough to gas him quick and the rest is history.

The only ways to cut lean mass are through atrophe, starvation and/or by eliminating protien from your diet. This puts tremendous strain on the body and your performance will likely suffer as a result. This is something that needs to well planned and performed over an extended period of time. Randy did it successfully. I think Ken lost way too much way too fast.

Crashsti · 07-26-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahkus

I totally agree. I have watched that fight many times and Shamrock did not look like himself. He was slow and lethargic. I want to see Tito step up and fight Ken at heavyweight. I think the result would be quite different if that happened.

About cutting lean mass: I know that some people are forced to do it but this has to be the least desirable form of weight cutting. I think Shamrocks system went into surival mode. His slower metabolism was enough to gas him quick and the rest is history.

The only ways to cut lean mass is through atrophe, starvation and/or by eliminating protien from your diet. This puts tremendous strain on the body and your performance will likely suffer as a result. This is something that needs to well planned and performed over an extended period of time. Randy did it successfully. I think Ken lost way too much way too fast.

yes, Randy totally planned his drop into the light heavyweight class. he fought great as a heavyweight but those guys are just getting too big. guys like Tim Sylvia and Ricco Rodriguez could just overpower him. as a lightheavyweight he no longer worries about being out muscled. Evan Tanner did the same thing, he also dropped down a weight class and has also been very successful. Ken on the otherhand only dropped weight to fight Tito, those guys have a real hate for one another.