Why bother to consult with a sports nutritionist?

My client, an avid exerciser, came into my office reporting her parents “highly encouraged:” her to come see me. She wasted no time telling me, “I already know all about nutrition. I know what to eat and I eat very healthfully. I’m just not sure what you can teach me.”

Her thoughts are common; most active people are already health-conscious. They have no idea how a sports nutritionist can help them. More correctly, how a sports dietitian who is both a registered dietitian (RD) and a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD) can help them. You may have had the same thoughts?

Unfortunately, you don’t know what you don’t know. Athletes who have never met with a sports nutrition specialist just don’t know how valuable a personalized consult can be to help take them to the next level. Performance, after all, actually starts with fueling—and not with training.

If you are putting hours of effort into training, you might to learn how to overcome the food and weight barriers that hinder you from getting the most from your workouts. Some ways I help my clients include—

• listening to their questions, concerns, and confusion,

• helping them figure out how to overcome the barriers that derail optimal fueling,

• creating a personalized plan to lose undesired body fat while maintaining energy to train,

• suggesting food experiments to enhance their performance.

For some overly-compulsively exercisers, an additional goal is to help them find peace both with food and with their bodies, so they can enjoy better quality of life.

After we’d talked for 90 minutes, my “reluctant client” reported that, much to her surprise, the meeting had actually been very helpful. She left my office with a plan that could enhance her daily eating, diminish her food obsessions, and resolve her weight issues. She felt happier.

If you, too, want to learn how to manage our confusing sports food environment, please find a local sports dietitian (RD, CSSD) by using the referral network at www.SCANdpg.org. You just might be glad you did!

Best wishes

Nancy

Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD
Sports nutrition counselor, consultant, speaker

www.sportsnutritionworkshop.com (Philly 1/24; Pitt. 2/7; online 24-7)
www.nancyclarkrd.com (books, handouts, PowerPoint talks)

Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook NEW Fifth Edition
Food guides for soccer, new runners, marathoners, cyclists
Twitter.com/nclarkrd   iPhone app: Recipes for Athletes

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