HELP! Cutting/Dropping Weight ?

I am doing my first Grappling Tourney Jan 26th.
I weigh about 215 in the mornings.
My optimum weight would be 185..I would be near 10% BF there.That is 8 weeks out.
Can I safely diet down to 195'sh and then drop the water weight?
I know I can cut 5 pounds cause I cut 2-3 after Jiu Jitsu.Not sure how much more though with Bags on.

Should I maybe just enter at 205 and Diet slowly and Lift weights and get the strongest I can at that weight?

I am doing the Beginner division so I am not sure how many Bruisers are gonna be there.

Thanks
LH

If you're disciplined about it, you could lose a decent chunk of weight in that time -- but realistically, you've also got holidays right in the middle of that, so it would be a definite test of your discipline.

I also think, that being it's your first tournament and there will be plenty of other things to be stressed about, that trying to do a ton of weight cutting, water cutting, etc, would just be adding unnecessary stress.

I'd say do 205 for this tournament, and then think about 195 for the next.

I would recommend not cutting water weight for a grappling tournament unless you're in the pro division, seems kinda excessive to me.

205 is usally easier then 185 in the beginner. Usually in better shape @ 185

Ring Girl-I am starting to think that and I like how you are saying "Being realistic for the Holidays..lol.

My technigue isn't totally all there and sometimes I rely on my strength.I have pretty much cut lifting weights out to see if I drop a lil more weight faster that way and to get my lower body caught up to my upper body.I have alwasy been top heavy aka beach Muscles.I have been strictly just Grappling.My core strength has gone up alot but my overall strength I feel a lil weaker.

All my Weight is in my Gut too.

Seemore Butts- I agree I figured 5 pounds or less would be no biggie considering I drop near that just training..but anything more is kinda Foreign to me.

danablanco-I was thinking that might be the case.Guys that are like me that really need to be at 185 but are not in that optimal shape yet.

I was 250 ish 1 year ago exactly so I have come a long way

Thanks Leigh

The weigh-ins are the Day before.

WidespreadPanic has liposucked the correct.

Widespread panic-I guess "cutting" weight was a bad term.I meant Losing actual Fat/Weight more than shedding water weight as in cutting.Running around the Block to drop 5 pounds in a Sauna Suit is no big deal to me though.I have done that with partners that were cutting for a fight just to suffer with them.

I've been losing on healthy average 1.5 to 2 pounds every week.At this rate I would be at 200 or so by then.From what everybody is saying I don't think I'll try and tweek my Diet anymore than it is or up anymore cardio

I'm not a Beginner Weightlifter by no means.Back when I was lifting heavy a couple of years ago or so I was around 10% BF at 200lbs or so.And yes it was Calipers that were used.
I probably need to get checked again I am just doing a guesstimation by how much I am now.I don't lift anything like I did then.

Lord Humoungous with all due respect you're not going to lose 25lbs of fat in 8 weeks.  Even if you were able to lose the weight, you would be losing muscle as well.  Your strength and stamina will be horrible & you will probably do very bad at the tournament.  As people have already mentioned you're better off probably fighting in the higher weight classes.  

1armedscissor-You are correct..I'm just gonna keep on training and sticking with my Diet.Up my Weight training again and I should be around a very Healthy 200-205.

This is my first Competition so I am pretty stoked.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

"205 is usally easier then 185 in the beginner. Usually in better shape @ 185"

This statement is very true

Forget the heavy lifting for now, and work on your endurannce.  8 weeks is plenty of time to put tons of gas in your tank, that's going to help you alot.

 

cheers mate!

Leigh - don't you weigh 135lbs?  ;) 

With all due respect it's enough of a challenge to simply enter your first tournament and compete without having to worry about cutting for your first tournmanet as well.  This could take a toll on someone mentally as well, putting thier focus somewhere that it should't be (cutting) instead of simply just getting in shape & working skills.  As far as "doing well" lower weights in beginner classes at rec grappling tourney's are much more difficult than the higher weights typically.  I would agree with you if you had said something along the lines of "if you wish to challenge yourself", but not "if you want to do well".

cheers!

How about you train, work out and slowly cut down to the 185 lbs. Compete in the 205 division and continue to do that for experience as you gain strength and cut size.

Make 185 your walking around weight, keep it, stay in shape and compete at what you weigh that way you are always at top strength, not drained at all etc...

Cutting weight specifically to fight then putting the weight back on for the "advantage" is bullshit. Compete at your natural weight, just make your natural weight what you want to compete at.