What Can We Learn from Olympic Athletes?

With the Olympics well underway and many sports already wrapping up, many of us have gotten caught up in the spirit and have been inspired by the athletes we’ve gotten to know over the past few weeks.  Did you catch the beach volleyball bug, or are you determined to someday (maybe) break 9.8 seconds for the 100 meter dash?  Or maybe you’ve decided to take up synchronized swimming or the high jump.  Whatever sport you might be inspired to try out, it’s safe to say that the athletes we’ve been watching and rooting for are great role models.  Even if you aren’t exactly the next Missy Franklin or Allyson Felix, and the closest you’ll ever come to winning an award is the opportunity to place in your age group in a local race, you can still take away some important lessons from your favorite team USA Olympians.

#1: Train. 

We don’t all have 8 hours or more to train a day, but we can take a page from the record books of our favorite athletes and learn to train properly.  You may have heard of the “couch to 5K” programs for beginning runners, and the concept here is sound.  Building up slowly to whatever you are trying to accomplish takes time and planning.  If you are thinking about picking up a new workout hobby- be it running, swimming, weight-lifting, or cycling, look online or in your library for information on proper beginning training programs so you don’t start your Olympic career injured. 

On that note… #2. Listen to your body. 

If you’re injured, rest.  American runner LaShawn Merritt pulled out of his heat in the men’s 400 meters last weekend because of a hamstring injury.  Many of us have a hard time accepting a temporary break from our exercise routines even when we know better.  Can you imagine how hard it is to pull out of your race in the Olympics?  Let Merritt be your inspiration next time you know you're hurt but still try to push through.  His words of wisdom:  "It's not the end of the world.”  “We have a season every year. So now it's a matter of getting healthy and getting back to what I love to do."

#3: Fuel yourself properly.  

The Olympics may be sponsored by McDonalds, but you’ll notice that in the commercials featuring the athletes, they aren’t the ones eating the double cheeseburgers.   

(They’re actually doing a pretty good of ignoring the McDonalds customers who are giving them “advice.” ) Olympic athletes take their nutrition seriously, and they certainly aren’t fueling their performances with junk food.  Michael Phelps used to be famous for his “12,000 calorie” a day diet (which he now acknowledges was a huge exaggeration), but recently told Men’s Health magazine that he focuses on getting plenty of lean protein and nutrient-dense foods.  [Source: http://news.menshealth.com/michael-phelps-diet/2012/08/01/]  We don’t all train as our full-time jobs, but we still need to fuel our bodies properly.  Staying hydrated is always key, and proper pre-and post-workout meals are important to gain maximum benefits from your workouts and recover before the next. 

Enjoy the rest of the Olympics, and good luck in any physical activity endeavors they may inspire you to undertake!

If you need nutrition advice, we can help!  Healthy Table is run by BenU’s dietetic interns, and we offer FREE nutrition counseling to all Benedictine students, faculty, and alumni!  Make an appointment today by calling 1 (630) 829-6518.  "Like" us on facebook at Healthy Table at Benedictine University.  

Image sources:

•  http://timeolympics.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/aptopix-london-olympics-art2.jpg?w=600&h=335&crop=1?w=600&h=337&crop=1
• http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0803/oly_split1x_576.jpg
• http://blog.stack.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Tyson-Gay-Olympic-Training%E2%80%94Arm-Swings.jpg
• http://i.eurosport.com/2012/08/04/871460-14693266-640-360.jpg
• http://www.hellawella.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Eats_OlympicRingsOnPlate.jpg
• http://nbclatino.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/ryan-lochte-wink-e1343914050139.jpg?w=640&h=458&crop=1