I guess how you lose weight is purly a matter of preference. Most althletes are totally opposed to losing "water" weight so they tank on water and try not to eat a whole lot. Then they lose 10-20 pounds and they think its because of thier diet. This isn't neccasrily true. Normally what happens is a wrestler ballons up after a season or during the off season becuase they eat so much. With just a little excercise your body achives sort of an equilibrium. The other approach which worked better for me was crashing the water. This works best for people who have very little body fat and not a lot of weight to lose whic hwas my case in high school. No matter how hard I tried I could not get below 168 becuase there was no more fat to lose. So I ate about 1000-1500 calories a day, mostly salads, crackers, that sort of stuff. But I drank hardly any liquids during the day. Before and after practice was the only time and maybe a small glass at night. Some people can't handle this so its best they go a different way. This method is definatly the best for quick weight losss (3-8) pounds a day. I think both work and I don't have a problem with either one. I am somewhat fortunate that I don't really have to deal with weight loss with my kids!