How to manage bodyweight leading up to my first meet

[maybesew]

Hi All,

So I registered for my first meet recently, it's on June 27th which is about 7 weeks out. I'm going for the 198 pound weight class, and I my daily morning weight has fluctuated between 197 and 201 since around January.

My general question is around how to handle the next 7 weeks. Does it make sense to try and get down to around 195 so that I have some wiggle room, or should I keep doing what I've been doing and then spend the last 48 hours or so before the weigh in focusing on making sure I'm under 198?

thanks and hopefully this isn't a stupid question

[AKGetsStrength]

Is the weigh in the night before the meet, or two hours before you start lifting?

If it is the former, I think you can safely hang on around 200lbs or even a little more up until the meet and easily drop 2-3# just in lowering salt/carbs for a day or two until weigh in. Not a full on water cut, just a little manipulation to get you there.

If it is the latter, you can probably still get away with being around your current fluctuation until the week of, and then being a little more diligent than above.

Either way, 7 weeks is plenty of time so I wouldnt sweat it too hard. In all of my meets so far i've been 83kg+ the week leading up to the meet, and whether it is nerves or unconscious manipulation of energy have never weighed in higher than 82kg (limit is 83kg).

[arn710]

Eat as much as you can over the next 8 weeks, train your ass off, PR on every lift

Don't worry about your weight class. You're not setting world records

[melvin2345]

Don't worry about your weight class. You're not setting world records

This. Especially for your first meet. Just go out, have fun, and learn from the experience.

[maybesew]

Is the weigh in the night before the meet, or two hours before you start lifting?

If it is the former, I think you can safely hang on around 200lbs or even a little more up until the meet and easily drop 2-3# just in lowering salt/carbs for a day or two until weigh in. Not a full on water cut, just a little manipulation to get you there.

It's the day before at noon.

Eat as much as you can over the next 8 weeks, train your ass off, PR on every lift

Don't worry about your weight class. You're not setting world records

Thanks for this advice. I had considered "making weight" part of the experience. I think part of it is driven by the fact that I'm actually new to this weight range. I've been around 190 for the past several years, but had a really successful bulk over the fall and winter and consider myself to be pretty close to the heaviest I can be at 5'8". I also hoped to lean out for the summer as well, so it's the classic mix of priorities. But I'll probably take your advice and just see what I weigh come the week of the meet.