Coach’s Corner – You Are What You Eat

What’s better than a good burger, tacos, or fries after a ride…am i right?! It tastes so good. All that sugar, fat, and sodium just pumping through your veins, to give your body what it needs to rebuild and refuel. And then when you get home, you are so exhausted and tired you just can’t keep your eyes open, right? Oh that’s the best feeling. The crash after the sugar, and fat, and sodium have taken its toll on your body, that it just can’t go on anymore, because your muscles and organs and brain are freaking out, because what it actually needed was hydration, not sugary drinks. And nutrients, instead of fat and sodium.

You are training to become better. Whatever kind of “better” you are shooting for, that choice is up to you. But for those of us who want to become one of the best, it’s important to remember, “You are what you eat”. That’s not just some corny line for the “Pajama Sam” computer games. It’s real life, people!

You get out what you put in. Your choices each day affect your tomorrow, your weekend, your next month. As Dr. Goglia has said, it takes over two days to reset your system. Having one cheat day throws your entire week. When you eat those tacos, burgers, fries…whatever delicious, greesy, mess of foods your eating after your rides, your putting your body into even more distress. Instead of building your engine, your just breaking it down even more. Ever feel exhausted Monday morning after? I wonder why.

Be mindful of the choices you make, and stop filling up your “Shoulda – coulda – woulda” box. Because that countdown timer isn’t stopping anytime soon. We’ve got goals to hit, engines to build, and there’s no room for sludge filled veins and broken down bodies. If you fuel right, you won’t be sick, and you won’t be tired. The training and the foods work. I know, because I’ve done it. And bagels, tacos, burritos, fries…none of that was part of it. But you know what was? Pre-packing my meals for after the rides, with simple, clean, and healthy choices.

“Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”.

Don’t join the bandwagon. Stay focused. Make smart choices, kids! And say no to drugs.

– Coach Missy