Eating

[naynay]

This past week I have been doing a volleyball camp that is 3 and a half hours long. I eat a large well balanced dinner before I go, but when I get home I am starving and I eat anything I see, and I normally go toward the sugary fatty stuff. HOw can I prevent this? My season starts up next month and I don't want to repeat this after all of my practices.

 

[heartymax]

Does the camp allow time for you to have a break and eat a healthy snack. 3 and half hours of rigorous camp activities can be exhausting and you would be hungry afterwards. I would suggest that you "plan ahead" and prepare a healthy snack to eat in the car on the ride back to the house. Planning ahead usually helps prevent poor choices. Kind of like going to work.....if we take our healthy snack with us it decreases the chances of us visiting the vending machine. You didn't give an example of your large dinner that you have before practice. What are you eating before practice?

 

[ellesan]

I really know what you are talking about! When I was doing triathlon training earlier in the year I ran into this problem. Here's what helped me:

1. Stay hydrated--are you drinking enough water or gatorade type fluids t/o the camp?

2. When you're exercising you don't want to eat something big and bulky, you need something quick and easy to digest that takes the edge off and keeps up your energy--especially for something over 3 hours. I really did well with eating a banana, Clif Shot Bloks are awesome (gummy electrolyte chews that do well in your pocket, etc) or gels. I know some people don't like the gels, but they have saved me a few times during workouts.

3. Keep a cooler in your car with ice and healthy snacks that are easy to eat for right after your workout. Banana, cut up oranges or other fruit, protien bars, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, protein shakes, etc.

 

[jancpa]

I think it is a great idea to keep some healthy snacks in your car or at least ready for you when you get home. I know I tend to reach for the unhealthy stuff first just because it is right there in the pantry and easy to get. If you have some healthy options waiting, maybe you will go for those instead. I am really into Larabars right now. They are not low fat, but they are all natural and really seem to help my sweet tooth.

 

[gonnabea5]

I agree with Sandra. Stay prepared. Something light on the way home will help muscles recover, keep headaches at bay and provide a satisfied tummy as you get ready for bed.