By Ben Rihn ‘22 News Reporter
There’s no doubt that the life of a wrestler is not easy. Between enduring physically and mentally exhausting practices and preparing for matches, wrestlers have a lot to deal with. Arguably, one of the most challenging obstacles they must face is the extreme regimentation of dieting. As if achieving a certain weight wasn’t hard enough, wrestlers must maintain that low number to meet requirements for their particular weight class. Being just a tenth of a pound over disqualifies one from wrestling in their registered weight class. On the other hand, falling short of the goal will put someone up against opponents much heavier than they. So how do they manage it?
When looking into wrestling standards and breaking down the elements of the diet, especially if it’s for losing weight in a short period of time, it’s necessary to consider foods that are composed primarily of water. According to wrestler, Kenneth Yonke ‘22, “Foods like lettuce and watermelon convert over to water weight, which is easier to burn off when working out.” Now, gaining weight requires a whole different mindset. In order to put on the pounds, wrestlers “prioritize eating lots of proteins and carbs.” By doing so, they not only have enough energy to put their all into exercising and burning sufficient calories but also gain necessary weight in the process.
In most perspectives, though, solely focusing on foods that will allow for the loss of water weight is an unhealthy way to treat your body’s internal environment. As the sport of wrestling has developed, it has become generally accepted that wrestlers should set their sights on having a well-balanced diet rather than considering only the loss of water weight. Coach Selas Douglas states, “By incorporating more vegetables and proteins into a salad that would normally be restricted to lettuce, [our wrestlers] will become more consistent and provide more energy for themselves when working out.” This will not only translate over to a healthier and cleaner lifestyle, but will also allow a wrestler to meet their weight class.