I’ve been sitting at a pretty happy 15 pounds over stage weight for the last month or so. It’s scary because it’s a good 10 pounds heavier than I’ve ever weighed in my life (I’m at 151-ish right now, I’m usually 140 tops and was 135 on stage in October) but also refreshing because I’m stronger and growing a lot.
I spent most of my life in a calorie deficit. I know this sounds strange, but even when I wasn’t ACTIVELY trying to lose weight I was still trying to lose weight. Cardio here and there, calorie counting, etc. I never let myself just eat what I wanted with no regard to weight. I’d weigh in at least once a week, monitor how my clothes fit, etc.
This leaves me at a strange point in my life. I have a powerlifting meet on Saturday (less than a week) and I’m 4-ish pounds over the weight class I’m normally in. See, normally I weigh in at 135 for my class, always JUST shy of the 132.2 needed to be in the 132 class and putting me at a super light 148. This time I have to cut to make my class, which is strange.
See, in my class (148) the state records are pretty close to my max lifts – 232 lb squat, 128 lb bench and 303 lb deadlift. If I cut some weight and make my class I’d be pushing myself really hard to hit 4 state records (with the total). If I stay in the higher class at 151 (making me a light 168) then every lift I hit will be a state record by at least 100 pounds.
1) I’m naturally competitive, I’d love to be the best female raw lifter in my weight class in the state in two federations (this is a new federation)
2) It’s weird being a whole weight class higher than I’m used to, especially after being such a light 148 for so long.
I guess I’ll play this game – drink a ton of water, see how my weight progresses over the week, and if I can make weight without compromising my strength so be it. If I can’t? Don’t bother – being strong is better than being light.