So in preparation for the ILMSA State Meet and for Nationals I feel it's important for us to take a moment to focus on the nutritional aspects our bodies need especially during competition.
Now - this comes from me - who when I usually give my list of events at a meet - people usually get bug eyed and ask if I'm positively insane. (You can sub "positively" with several other words ending in "ing"). That being said - I'm starting to feel like I've managed to capture that balance of nutrition during a meet that allows me to not feel bloated -but simultaneously - full of energy on the demands that I put on my body.
I personally don't do anything different with my diet before a meet. I feel that that only puts extra stress on your digestive system to adjust. During a meet - I pretty much strictly consume fruits (any will suffice, but I like bananas) and tons of water. After the meet - I love me some protein. Keeps me from over eating too.
What works for you? What do you eat? What do you drink? Is there something you eat before a meet? Something during? After? Perhaps this is something that can help you SFF Ande? ;)
hey there,
The body does run on fuel and not exercise. I haven't written much about diet and nutrition in SFF because there's so much conflicting advice from experts, everybody is convinced their approach is right. I haven't done such a great job with my own diet & I haven't discovered the magic-can't-fail Swim Faster Faster diet. I know the following helps swimmers swim faster faster. Swimming and kicking fast in practice, improving stroke technique, various mental techniques, getting stronger, and using better equipment.
In SFF I've written:
+ Don't get food poisoning before or at big meets, eat well cooked meals
+ world class swimmers have certain height weight proportions and overweight swimmers are very likely to SFF when they Lug Less Lard,
+ it's wise to stay well hydrated and keep balanced electrolytes,
+ don't eat or drink too much before racing
+ Check out what Garrett Weber Gale writes on http://www.athleticfoodie.com or
what my friend & UT teammate, Rip Esselstyn wrote: http://www.tinyurl.com/engine2
+ if you're trying to get stronger you need to have enough proteins in your diet to build muscle and strength
+ Paul Smith's Top 10 ways to Blow your Meet
I've seen swimmers with many different diets swim fast. I've seen swimmers change their diets several times during their careers. I've seen swimmers with very poor diets swim fast.
I think the key is eat a healthy balanced diet. Also if someone is convinced their diet is great and will absolutely help them, they might perform better from the placebo effect alone.
I also haven't written much on how swimmers should train after illnesses, injuries, or surgeries because each one is so specific and it's really an issue swimmers should approach with their doctors, physical therapists and coaches. Swimmers should be very cautious, go slow, pay close attention to their situations and report any changes to the professionals working with them.
I also heard a coach say
the body likes to stay the same so it's best to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones.
Ande
hey there,
The body does run on fuel and not exercise. I haven't written much about diet and nutrition in SFF because there's so much conflicting advice from experts, everybody is convinced their approach is right. I haven't done such a great job with my own diet & I haven't discovered the magic-can't-fail Swim Faster Faster diet. I know the following helps swimmers swim faster faster. Swimming and kicking fast in practice, improving stroke technique, various mental techniques, getting stronger, and using better equipment.
In SFF I've written:
+ Don't get food poisoning before or at big meets, eat well cooked meals
+ world class swimmers have certain height weight proportions and overweight swimmers are very likely to SFF when they Lug Less Lard,
+ it's wise to stay well hydrated and keep balanced electrolytes,
+ don't eat or drink too much before racing
+ Check out what Garrett Weber Gale writes on http://www.athleticfoodie.com or
what my friend & UT teammate, Rip Esselstyn wrote: http://www.tinyurl.com/engine2
+ if you're trying to get stronger you need to have enough proteins in your diet to build muscle and strength
+ Paul Smith's Top 10 ways to Blow your Meet
I've seen swimmers with many different diets swim fast. I've seen swimmers change their diets several times during their careers. I've seen swimmers with very poor diets swim fast.
I think the key is eat a healthy balanced diet. Also if someone is convinced their diet is great and will absolutely help them, they might perform better from the placebo effect alone.
I also haven't written much on how swimmers should train after illnesses, injuries, or surgeries because each one is so specific and it's really an issue swimmers should approach with their doctors, physical therapists and coaches. Swimmers should be very cautious, go slow, pay close attention to their situations and report any changes to the professionals working with them.
I also heard a coach say
the body likes to stay the same so it's best to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones.
Ande
