The off-season period for any athlete is as important as the sports season itself. It is a time for the body to refresh and avoid body burnout. Off-season is also a great time to work on those goals you have for improving the skills that make you a superb athlete.
However, it is also a time of temptation (add in scary movie music here).
Just think of all those things you love to eat that you – WAIT! Don’t think about them. Let’s talk about some great healthy nutrition habits for the off-season instead.
Watch What You Eat
The off-season comes with a lot more spare time – time to enjoy favorite hobbies, favorite foods and time to be a super chef in the kitchen. However, the off-season is not a reason to overeat or eat unhealthy foods. If you’re not watching your off-season eating, it can be a prime time for weight gain. That can lead to a more difficult time with off-season and pre-season training, especially if you have been working on trimming up.
Adjust to the Off-season Training
We know you are not just sitting around on your couch being a potato all off-season. You know the importance of some good training, so you still have to make sure you are snacking it up really well. Make sure you are eating lighter snacks before training. Also remember to eat protein rich snacks after your workouts and drink plenty of fluids. While you may have been eating more carbohydrates while the season is on, fewer carbs is a better off-season choice.
Make a Plan
Make a healthy eating plan for the off-season and then a shopping list that goes with it. This helps eliminate bringing processed or junk foods into the house, junk foods that are oh, so tempting. Look for fun and new things to try so you don’t get food burnout. Some of the fun things that other athletes are trying right now include: trail mix with mini rice cakes and dried cranberries, quinoa and amaranth.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Have we mentioned drinking plenty of fluids? It’s so important! So, we are going to nag you about it again. Dehydration can be a risk anytime for an athlete, so always pay attention to how much fluid you are taking in. Remember to start all your off-season workouts just like you would start practices or competitions during the season – fully hydrated. Work to remain well hydrated during training times and drink plenty of fluids after as well.
So, that’s it. If you’re not sure where to start with a plan for off-season nutrition, the Competitive Edge coaches can give you some really good ideas on how to make great nutrition choices during the off-season, as well as help set goals for working on building your stamina and skills with core training programs, camps and clinics. Contact us today and let us keep you going strong!