Olympic Dreams Help Cycler Conquer Eating Disorder

Please enjoy my intern Maggie's last blog - inspired by the Olympics!

Be Extraordinary,

RDKate

In this second week of competition, the 30^th Olympiad has not lacked in exciting match-ups and captivating competitions.  The fiercest competitors have battled to the finish line to make their country proud, and unlikely hopefuls have earned gold metals. These athletes have undoubtedly touched our hearts with their tireless effort and amazing spirit, making that extra mile on the treadmill a little more bearable.  We know these athletes have endured hours of training to become both physically and mentally prepared. What we many not know about are the obstacles that some athletes have had to overcome in order to make it to London. Many athletes knew they were meant to compete when they played a sport for the first time as a young child or when they watched past Olympians on TV. However, not every competitor’s Olympic aspirations has been a journey from childhood, for some it has been the destination.

U.S. cyclist, Dotsie Bausch’s road to London has been just that. For her cycling is more than just a sport - it was been an outlet of hope that saved her from a life-threatening battle with an eating disorder.  During her senior year of college, Dotsie began modeling in New York City. She found herself turning to anorexia and bulimia to cope with the pressure to be thin. Her 5-foot 9 frame shrunk from 139 pounds to a mere 90, and after a failed suicide attempt, Dostie hit rock bottom. It wasn’t until her therapist suggested she try cycling as a different way to channel her energy that she began to break the cycle that nearly took her life.  After her first ride she found not only a new form of recovery but that she had an uncommon talent and an insatiable desire to compete.

Four years later and with her health and weight back on track, Dotsie was recruited by the U.S. national team and went on to become a two-time Pam Am Championship gold medal winner. And now, in her 12^th year as a bike racer she can add silver medalist to her list of achievements.  Along with her team of Sarah Hammer and Lauren Tammyo, the cyclists competed in the 3-kilometer race, which lead to an amazing finish for team USA.

Achieving what most of us can only dream of, Dotsie’s medal will undoubtedly serve as a symbol of strength and personal healing for her and an inspiration to many others who have battled eating disorders. Through her journey, Dotsie has visited Canada and Ecuador to help develop centers that assist people with eating disorders. One of her personal passions is to extend emotional support through motivational speaking to men and women who struggle with anorexia and bulimia.  For Dotsie and many other athletes, the sport in which they compete is not just a competition to achieve international greatness, but a celebration of their personal journey to the finish line. It is truly amazing to witness Olympians’ unrelenting bravery and an inspiration to many.

Nutrition for Gold-Winning Gymnastics!

What an exciting day yesterday at the Olympics: A great performance by the swimmers capped with a gold medal win for the women's gymnastics team - the first since 1996! For a gymnast to progress to this level, it requires extensive training of up to 30 hrs per week, often consisting of two training sessions of 2-3 hrs per day. So how do these elite gymnasts keep their body's going day after day? A huge component is proper fueling and recovery with well-planned sports nutrition. Here are some tips for aspiring female gymnasts (and their parents)....

1. Eat regularly to get adequate energy and nutrients.
As female gymnasts progress in the sport, weight and body fat is often measured in order to make sure they are growing lean and strong. Unfortunately this practice often results in gymnasts consistently consuming diets low in energy, placing them at risk for inadequate intake of nutrients such as carbohydrate, calcium, and iron. Gymnasts should eat nutrient-rich meals and snacks at least every 2-3 hrs to meet their needs. High-saturated fat and high-sugar options should be considered occasional foods, as they lack essential vitamins and minerals needed for recovery.

2. Make snacks count.
With up to 6 hours of training daily, there isn't much time for snacking. That means snacks must be quick, easy, and travel well. In addition, choosing snacks rich in both carbohydrate and protein will assure proper recovery between training sessions, as well help meet the body's daily needs. A few great options include trail mix (dried fruit & nuts), fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, low-fat Greek yogurt, Kashi bars, Nature Valley bars, lean deli meat sandwiches, and string cheese with pretzels.

3. Mind your calcium.
Weight-bearing activity, daily calcium intake, menstrual status, and overall caloric intake all play a role in determining bone mineral development in female athletes. Dietary calcium intake plays a crucial role in the promotion of optimal bone mineral development. Female gymnasts should include calcium-rich foods at both meals and snacks. This includes all dairy-food sources as well as chickpeas, salmon, almonds, tofu, hummus, green leafy veggies, and fortified soy milk - to name a few.

4. Fluid matters.
While gymnasts typically do not have large fluid losses through sweat, fluid intake throughout training is still important. Even slight dehydration can affect focus, concentration, and technique. Sip consistently throughout the day and during practice to achieve lemonade-colored or lighter urine.

5. The pressures of appearance.
Due to the pressure to remain lean and the nature of the aesthetic judging of the sport, female gymnasts are one of the top groups of athletes considered at risk for developing an eating disorder. As gymnasts grow, it is important to have a multi-discplinary team committed to assuring gymnasts mature normally through adolescence. This should include a doctor and sports dietitian, as well as a therapist if needed - plus the gymnast's coach.  All individuals need to be on the same page with respect to comments made or not made about gymnasts' appearance, weight, and eating habits.

Be Extraordinary!


RDKate