Putting on fat when going up a weight class

[skribs]

I had hovered around 185 for most of my adult life. Last year, I managed to get down to 175 to compete at middleweight in IBJJF. This year, I got down to 160 (which would put me in lightweight) in preparation for a Taekwondo test. The less weight I had, the easier all the cardio and acrobatics would be.

I have also started strength training, and am starting to climb back up. I am hovering around 165 in the mornings, and I believe if I continue my workout regime, that's going to start going up. In just under a month, I will be competing in jiu-jitsu again, this time in Jiu-Jitsu World League, which uses similar weight classes as IBJJF for gi. My options are light (168 w/ gi) or middle (182 w/ gi). I don't think I could make 168 unless I stop lifting and keep up my current diet. If I keep lifting, I think I'll be around 170 with the gi.

I'm wondering if - for the short term - I should pack on some weight. If I pack on 5-10 pounds of fat, I'll be closer to 180 in the 182 pound bracket. Then, as I catch back up to around 175, I can start to go lean again, and try to maintain weight while increasing muscle.

 

[HighKick]

I had hovered around 185 for most of my adult life. Last year, I managed to get down to 175 to compete at middleweight in IBJJF. This year, I got down to 160 (which would put me in lightweight) in preparation for a Taekwondo test. The less weight I had, the easier all the cardio and acrobatics would be.

I have also started strength training, and am starting to climb back up. I am hovering around 165 in the mornings, and I believe if I continue my workout regime, that's going to start going up. In just under a month, I will be competing in jiu-jitsu again, this time in Jiu-Jitsu World League, which uses similar weight classes as IBJJF for gi. My options are light (168 w/ gi) or middle (182 w/ gi). I don't think I could make 168 unless I stop lifting and keep up my current diet. If I keep lifting, I think I'll be around 170 with the gi.

I'm wondering if - for the short term - I should pack on some weight. If I pack on 5-10 pounds of fat, I'll be closer to 180 in the 182 pound bracket. Then, as I catch back up to around 175, I can start to go lean again, and try to maintain weight while increasing muscle.

I had to go up and down in weight quite often in my college wrestling days. A team mate would get hurt and I would move up or down to fill a weight class. Going down in weight was much easier for me than going up and I could sometimes do it in a matter of days. But my weight has always swung pretty fast, I have always assumed due the amount of fluid intake and fluid flush/retention.
We currently weigh about the same (175) and I regularly swing up and down about 10lbs through the course of a year, less in summer months.

If I understand correctly, you are at 165 and may compete 168 in a month? What time of day is weigh-in? That matters. Learn how your body reacts and moderate your intake leading up to weigh-in and you should be good. Do you know what your average daily gains (ADG) is? It is a great predictive tool to use to help plan the weight curve.
Back in the day, if I was worried about weigh-in (going down) the night before or a couple days before I would steeply drop my fluid intake, and take laxatives to be good and cleaned out (yes, it works). But here is the kicker, you will essentially have a hangover from dehydration the morning of weigh-in so have plenty of your favorite electrolyte drink and high calorie/protein food on hand to get a good energy boost.

When I was in the WT circuit, making weight was less of an issue since the weight categories were much broader. Being a welterweight was my natural weight.

It does not sound like you are that dangerously close to missing weigh-in so some of this may not be necessary. Maybe switching your strength training to have more intense cardio than raw weight leading up to the match is all you need.

I am sure you know muscle weighs more than fat, so with your weight training regimen you may be headed to a higher weight bracket if not careful. Usable muscle mass is the key. Thing gymnast strength not body builder mass.

 

[skribs]

If I understand correctly, you are at 165 and may compete 168 in a month?

165 in my birthday suit in the morning and will compete at 182 with the gi on in a month.

There's no way I'm making 168 with the gi in a month if I keep strength training.

 

[HighKick]

165 in my birthday suit in the morning and will compete at 182 with the gi on in a month.

There's no way I'm making 168 with the gi in a month if I keep strength training.

Do you have to weigh in with the Gi on?

If you know the strength training is the variable to change, then why not change it?

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Personally, unless it was a career, or i needed the prize money, I wouldnt. If you've got a set routine and gameplan going for weightloss/muscle building, suddenly changing it to gain back that weight you lost is just going to jeopardize your existing routine/diet, and that's not worth risking for just one tournament.

 

[skribs]

Personally, unless it was a career, or i needed the prize money, I wouldnt. If you've got a set routine and gameplan going for weightloss/muscle building, suddenly changing it to gain back that weight you lost is just going to jeopardize your existing routine/diet, and that's not worth risking for just one tournament.

Yea but I want a few weeks of enjoying cheeseburgers and milkshakes.

 

[drop bear]

Personally, unless it was a career, or i needed the prize money, I wouldnt. If you've got a set routine and gameplan going for weightloss/muscle building, suddenly changing it to gain back that weight you lost is just going to jeopardize your existing routine/diet, and that's not worth risking for just one tournament.

That.

Amateur competition is about developing your potential as a martial artist.

You are literally the only person you can impress with your jujitsu gold medal at this stage.

(Start looking at worlds. Obviously a different discussion)

So in that vein. Develop your sise and strength to whatever is the most optimal for you. And compete in whatever weight category you wind up in.

And look. Jujitsu tournaments are hinky anyway. You will probably wind up in the weight bracket above or the belt level above ir something anyway.

 

[drop bear]

Yea but I want a few weeks of enjoying cheeseburgers and milkshakes.

That is kind of bad. Just from a personal discipline kind of way. If you have a fight camp you commit to. That is more beneficial to you than winning a tournament.