You’re trying to drop body fat.
You’ve got 6–8 weeks until weigh-in.
So you cut carbs early — rice, fruit, oats, potatoes — all gone by Week 2.
And now?
You’re flat during sparring
You’re not recovering overnight
You’re hungry 24/7 but the scale won’t move
This email breaks down why that happens — and how to fix it without stalling your cut.
🍚 Carbs Aren’t the Enemy — Poor Timing Is
🔥 1. Carbs = Your Fight Fuel
Pads, sparring, S&C, runs — all use glycogen, which comes from carbs.
If you cut them too early, you drain your fuel tank before your body starts burning fat.
✅ Fix:
Keep carbs in during the first 4–6 weeks of camp.
Time them around training (before and after) for energy + recovery.
Then reduce slowly — don’t nuke them overnight.
🛌 2. Low Carbs = Worse Sleep = Slower Fat Loss
Fighters who go super low-carb often sleep worse, recover slower, and have higher cortisol.
✅ Fix:
Include carbs in your last meal of the day (30–60g from rice, oats, or sweet potato).
Helps lower cortisol and improves overnight recovery.
🧂 3. Low-Carb + Low-Sodium = Disaster
When you cut carbs, you also flush sodium. That means less hydration, lower blood pressure, and that flat, weak feeling.
✅ Fix:
Keep salt in your meals and use electrolytes during sessions — especially when carbs are low.
❌ Common Carb Mistakes Fighters Make
Cutting too early in camp
Eating carbs hours away from training
Using high-fiber or bulky carbs pre-session
Eating 50g of carbs… once a day
“Saving” carbs for the weekend = constant depletion🥊 Want the Full System I Use With Fighters in Camp?
The Fight Camp Nutrition Course gives you the exact setup:
✅ Protein targets, carb cycling, and strength protocols
✅ Fight-week cut strategy
✅ Supplement stacks to hold power
✅ Rehydration & recovery walkthrough
Grab the Fight Camp Nutrition Course here⬇️
— Athlete’s Appetite Team
