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The Gymnast Nutritionist® Podcast

Health & Wellness Podcasts

Welcome to The Gymnast Nutritionist® podcast, a free resource for gymnast, parents, and coaches to learn to fuel the gymnast optimal performance and longevity int he sport. Christina Anderson MS, RDN, CSP, CSSD is a board certified pediatric/adolescent registered dietitian nutritionist, former gymnast, and current nationally rated gymnastics judge. She helps gymnasts and their parents take a proactive approach to fueling, without the stress or overwhelm. This podcast is all #realtalk where she tackles tough subjects about nutrition, body image, and more in the sport of gymnastics.

Location:

United States

Description:

Welcome to The Gymnast Nutritionist® podcast, a free resource for gymnast, parents, and coaches to learn to fuel the gymnast optimal performance and longevity int he sport. Christina Anderson MS, RDN, CSP, CSSD is a board certified pediatric/adolescent registered dietitian nutritionist, former gymnast, and current nationally rated gymnastics judge. She helps gymnasts and their parents take a proactive approach to fueling, without the stress or overwhelm. This podcast is all #realtalk where she tackles tough subjects about nutrition, body image, and more in the sport of gymnastics.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Episode 96: Upgrade Season Part 2- Is your gymnast "unsafe" to do gymnastics?

4/29/2024
Is your gymnast unsafe to do gymnastics? When I first heard this concept years ago I was shocked. It had never dawned on me that nutrition was “that serious” re: safety concern in terms of your kid going to the gym. But the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Especially if you’re a parent, coach, or gym owner. The reality is that gymnastics has a lot more inherent “risk” to it than other sports where you aren’t flipping on something 4 inches wide, 4 feet in the air. And while these days the freak accidents are rare, they still happen. And as I always say, there will always be accidents that have nothing to do with nutrition. But the hard, scary truth is that there are a LOT of gymnasts out there who have no business going 4-5+ hours to the gym each day. Why? Because they are MASSIVELY underfueled and a ticking time bomb for injury. In our new series, "Upgrade Season", I'm taking a look back to really help our gymnasts with the off-season training that is happening for most by this point. And that includes discussing the struggle a lot of parents experience when enforcing this concept of fueling for safety reasons. In today's episode, I'm covering the 3 main reasons we see parents struggle with holding this boundary. Listen in to learn more. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramNavigating Gymnast Nutrition and Picky EatingEpisode 81: Force Feeding or Adequate Fueling?@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:18:32

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Episode 95: Upgrade Season Part 1- Your gymnast didn’t “make it”…now what?

4/22/2024
For most gymnasts, competition season has or is coming to a close and upgrade season is starting. But why didn’t your gymnast make it to insert…regionals, Nationals, etc? There’s a LOT you can’t control. What region your gymnast is in, what age group, session times etc. Gymnasts spend months preparing for these big meets but there is a lot that is just out of their control. In our new series, "Upgrade Season", I'm taking a look back to really help our gymnasts with the off-season training that is happening for most by this point. And that includes discussing some of the reasons why your gymnast maybe didn't "make it" to the big post meets. There's a lot of buzz in sports these days around focusing on what you can control. Attitude, effort, work ethic etc. But nutrition is a huge controllable and often ignored. Here’s how we see it (or lack of it) impact gymnast’s in trying to reach their big goals and dreams at the end of a long competition season. In today's episode, I'm covering four of the reasons we see gymnasts fall short of their goals. Listen in to learn more. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramGymnast Nervous Stomach and Competition NutritionGymnast Nutrition & Recovery in the Off-Season - Look back to move ahead@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.com

Duration:00:24:36

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Episode 94: Does Gymnastics Stunt Growth?

4/15/2024
Does gymnastics stunt growth? It's quite the hot topic and many people weigh in with their own opinions. We've even heard conflicting opinions from medical providers. It's such a big question that it's actually been investigated and researched quite a bit in the past few decades by some heavy hitters such as the International Gymnastics Federation. Some providers will give you a flippant response like, "gymnastics stunts their growth but it's fine, they'll catch up when they quit". But not growing and developing while in gymnastics should be a big red flag to parents and doctors for underfueling. We need to do our due diligence to determine whether or not they're getting enough nutrition or if something else like a hormonal issue is at play. In today's episode, I'm covering the 5 big questions I get on this topic of "does gymnastics stunt growth". Listen in to learn more. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramRelative Energy Deficiency in Sport and GymnasticsNo Period, No Problem for the Gymnast? Not quiteRole of Intensive Training in the Growth and Maturation of Artistic Gymnasts@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:23:04

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Episode 93: Navigating Gymnast Nutrition and Picky Eating

4/8/2024
I know so many parents who struggle with their gymnast's nutrition due to picky eating. They know their athlete needs to fuel more, but there's so much push back it feels like a no-win situation. In today's episode, I'm breaking down what it means to truly have a picky eater versus dealing with a gymnast who demonstrates finicky eating habits. And what you can do as a parent to get your gymnast on the right track to performance and health. I like to equate it with the conditioning every gymnast does. It might feel uncomfortable, but they know it's necessary to lay the foundation of strength they need for big skills and routines. I find when we present nutrition to gymnasts who struggle with picky eating in a similar way, we can begin to move past fueling roadblocks. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramGymnasts and ADHD: What you must know about nutrition Gymnast Nutrition and ADHD@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:24:42

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Episode 92: Gymnast Nutrition and Strength Training with Dr. Stacie Barber PT, DPT, CSCS

4/1/2024
I know so many struggling gymnasts who think they need to double down on strength training/conditioning at this point of the season, but have never addressed their nutrition. So then they're left wondering why they can't get stronger, faster, or more powerful no matter how much extra conditioning they do. Or maybe they're injured and season is over but they're seeing a PT who doesn't understand gymnastics and isn't doing them any favors. Today I'm chatting with CEO of The Physio Fix Dr. Stacie Barber on the symbiotic relationship between nutrition and strength training specifically for gymnasts. Neither one exists in a vacuum and they need to cohesively work together for your gymnast to reach her full potential. Focusing on properly fueling your gymnast is not only about keeping them healthy plus growing and developing (although let's be honest that should be our first focus!). It's also about helping them have the energy and resources to adapt to their training to become powerful enough to do those upper level skills. And it's also about using nutrition alongside the correct PT/recovery when your gymnast is out with injury. Listen in to hear more about how your gymnast can integrate their nutrition, strength training, and recovery for their strongest upgrade season yet. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramThe Physio Fix, helping gymnasts + strength athletes feel betterNCAA Gymnastics Recruiting and Nutrition - The need to know with Jill Hicks@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:52:21

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Episode 91: The Science behind our approach to Fueling Gymnasts

3/25/2024
I was asked an interesting question this month about our approach in The Balanced Gymnast® Program. And I found it so compelling, I answered in podcast form! So, today I'm discussing the how and why we use a science/research-backed approach to fueling gymnasts. And why that means it's not a one size fits all answer. In today's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain of how we work as a team, how we designed our program, and how we continue to evolve. We want to make sure we're always supporting and educating our clients with the most up-to-date research. Not fads, not parroted information, not crowd-sourcing, or misinformation. One of the reasons we weave science into our approach to fueling your gymnast is so that you understand the WHY behind what we teach. Listen in to hear more about what makes The Balanced Gymnast® Program method so effective and different than everything else out there. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramDangerous advice you may get about fueling your gymnastWhat does it mean to "unlock" performance with nutrition?@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:24:25

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Episode 90: Should your gymnast eat CANDY during a competition!?

3/18/2024
Gymnasts and candy don't usually go together, right? Usually we hear about gymnasts avoiding candy at all costs, especially competitions, to prevent blood sugar crashes. Or parents feel like their kid is already addicted to sugar so why would they ever offer candy to their gymnast? This is a hot topic and I'm diving in as to why there might be situations where I recommend your gymnast eat candy during a competition. Disclaimer: there's always the nuance and the context of the personal application. This episode is not intended to imply that EVERY gymnast needs candy at a competition. This is a topic we take a deep dive in our TBG program because it is so specific to the individual. Today I'm discussing what the research says about quick carbs and why using candy in the appropriate situations for your gymnast isn't going to cause a sugar crash when performance matters most. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramHelp! My gymnast eats too much sugar!The myths surrounding pre-exercise carbohydrate feeding@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:21:57

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Episode 89: When we focus on weight vs performance for gymnasts

3/11/2024
When we focus on weight vs performance for gymnasts, most will never quite reach their full potential. Sad but something we see over and over in young elite gymnasts with all the potential in the world but who have to quit due to injury or burnout. When we focus on performance and take the focus off the scale, we can focus on properly fueling our gymnasts. And today I'm talking about the elephant in the room of why your gymnast might gain weight when working on nutrition. First and foremost I have to say your 15, 16, 17+ year old gymnast should not look like they did when they were 9, 10, 11. Most of the population that we work with are growing and developing pediatric and adolescent gymnasts. Who should be growing and gaining weight. Even gymnasts (male and female) who have gone through puberty should still be experiencing body composition and weight changes. We need to step away from the mindset that only certain body types or a certain weight can do gymnastics. Not only is this toxic and dangerous, it simply isn't true. Skills today take a tremendous amount of muscle which is only attainable if your gymnast is properly fueling for the work required. And that muscle looks different on all body types. There are a handful of reasons your gymnast might experience weight gain when they start to work on their nutrition. And that's ok because the science is showing why we need to start focusing on performance vs weight for our gymnasts. Want to know why? Listen in to hear more. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramRelative Energy Deficiency in Sport and GymnastsWhy a gymnast's goal weight might not be their healthiest weight@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:32:24

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Episode 88: Will your gymnast get results from The Balanced Gymnast® Program?

3/4/2024
Have you thought about joining The Balanced Gymnast® Program but not sure what kind of results your gymnast will get? We just wrapped up our three-day Fueled and Focused Challenge, and during one of our Q+A sessions, I had a parent ask a very insightful question. And that was, "what kind of results can my gymnast get from The Balanced Gymnast® Program?" We know that this sport is expensive at all levels but even more so at the upper/elite levels. It can feel like you're bleeding money due to travel expense, injuries, specialists, physical therapy... The list is extensive. So I know some parents sit on the fence about investing in their gymnast's nutrition because it seems like there are higher priority items right now. But I will tell you the biggest complaint we receive about the program is that parents WISH they had found us sooner. Want to know more? Listen in to see if you and your gymnast are a good fit In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramOrigin Story- The Balanced Gymnast® Program@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:22:03

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Episode 87: The Magic that Happens When Nutrition "Clicks" for your Gymnast [Gymnast INTERVIEW]

2/26/2024
In this episode you'll hear from one of The Balanced Gymnast® Program alumni Lundyn VanderToolen and her mom Julie about their nutrition journey with us over the past few months. Lundyn went from stuck, struggling, and exhausted this fall to scoring her highest AA EVER and qualifying for the Nastia Liukin Cup in her senior level 10 season. If you don't know, the Nastia Liukin Cup is THE premier gymnastics competition for level 10 gymnasts and it's a huge honor to have qualify. Inside this episode you'll hear: •How they learned about TBG® Program (and what prompted them to join) •What 1:1 coaching is like with us (and how quickly some see results) • What "clicked" and helped Lundyn own her nutrition •Why they wish they'd invested in nutrition years ago If you want to connect with either of them, just DM on Instagram: Julie Instagram Lundyn Instagram Links & Resources •The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts (enrollment closing soon) •Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist Inside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:59:26

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Episode 86: Road to Nationals Part 4 - Your gymnast's nutrition plan when it matters most

2/19/2024
Will your gymnast harness the power of her performance nutrition plan when it matters most, aka at Nationals? How do you make sure she doesn't crash and burn at the culmination of a season of hard work? Welcome to the final part of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. It's been so much fun over the last few weeks, specifically talking about what can help your gymnast makes the most of their competition season. And hopefully into the post-season big meets! Because here's the truth. I've seen gymnasts crush it with their nutrition all season long and then fall apart at Nationals. Why? There are two main observations that I've had while exclusively working with gymnasts through every phase of training. Two main things that keep gymnasts stuck and struggling. And prevent them from really excelling all season long and reaching their big goals and dreams. Want to know more? Listen in to hear to today's final installment on how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® Program Episode 85: Road to Nationals Part 3 - Making every meal count for your gymnast Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and GymnasticsNutrition Non-Negotiables for High Level Gymnasts @the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:24:50

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Episode 85: Road to Nationals Part 3 - Making every meal count for your gymnast

2/12/2024
Is your gymnast making EVERY meal count this competition season? Or is she skipping meals because life just seems too busy and stressful this time of year? Welcome to part 3 of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. Today I'm discussing why at this point of the season it's absolutely crucial to double down on your gymnast's nutrition. During this point of the season is when we start to see gymnasts gassing out due to lack of energy or endurance, injuries, stress, or any other number of reasons. And some think it really only matters what gymnasts eat on meet days to get peak performance that day. Here's the thing; yes it's important to make sure our athletes are properly fueled for whatever time their session is. But it's not going to make much of a difference if your gymnast isn't properly fueled in the first place. Every single meal counts for your gymnast in terms of closing the recovery gap and keeping your athlete fueled. But if your gymnast wants to reach her big goals and dreams, focusing on her daily nutrition now is a non-negotiable. Listen in to hear more about how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramRoad to Nationals Part 2 - How to Keep your Gymnast Healthy this Season Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and GymnasticsDo Gymnasts Need Snack Breaks?@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:26:29

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Episode 84: Road to Nationals Part 2 - How to Keep your Gymnast Healthy this Season

2/5/2024
Do you know how to keep your gymnast healthy this season as they make a run at Nationals? Today is the second episode of our 4-part series, The Road to Nationals. I'm talking about everything you need to know in terms of fueling your gymnast, helping them stay healthy, and hopefully perform their best this competition season. February is not only competition season, it's also cold and flu season for all our athletes out there. Plus, most of these gymnasts are already physically run down from the intense training, long and stressful school hours, and lack of sleep. It's a recipe for injuries and illnesses. Closing that recovery gap, making sure your gymnast is getting enough nutrition to support everything that needs to happen in her body is one of the best defenses you can have in keeping her healthy. Listen in to hear more about how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramRoad to Nationals Part 1 - Back to Nutrition BasicsRelative Energy Deficiency in Sport and GymnasticsWhat foods can gymnasts eat to "boost" their immune system?The Must Know about Gymnasts and Supplements@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:28:37

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Episode 83: Road to Nationals Part 1- Back to Nutrition Basics

1/29/2024
If your gymnast is serious about making it to Nationals this year (or any other major competition), now is the time to dial in their nutrition. And I've got something special to help you and your gymnast really hone in on nutrition to support them throughout this very long competition season. There's no better time than the beginning of competition season to help bring it back to the basics. Today's episode is the first in a brand new series, Road to Nationals, because that is ultimately the goal of most of our athletes. And I want to help! So why is it so important that we take it back to basics and what do we really need to focus on in terms of nutrition for gymnasts hoping to make it Nationals this season? Listen in to hear more about how to best support your gymnast on their Road to Nationals. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramEpisode 75: You vs You - Is your gymnast meeting her full potential?Episode 59: Nutrition is a controllable for gymnasts@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:17:14

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Episode 82: Why Our Language Around Food Matters for Gymnasts

1/22/2024
Why does our language around food matter for our gymnasts? January is THE month where resolutions about food are made...and broken. We are inundated with messages like "new year, new you". Or "go clean". Everyone is coming off the holidays and quite a few feel like they need to restrict or make huge changes to be healthy. But then why are those big changes so hard to adhere to just a couple months later? How we talk about food and the language we use in front of our gymnasts when discussing ALL kinds of food matters here. The barrage of messages this time of year about dieting and restricting from diet culture are so detrimental to not only your gymnast's performance, but also their long term relationship with food. We never want our gymnasts to feel shame about food, but we live in a culture that is sending this message every day. What's a parent to do? Especially when parents have been fed lies about what and how to feed their high-level athletes. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramEpisode 48: Do Gymnasts Need Snack Breaks?Episode 62: When trying to get your gymnast to eat "healthy" backfiresEpisode 66: Origin Story - The Balanced Gymnast Program @the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:27:10

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Episode 81: Force Feeding or Adequate Fueling?

1/15/2024
When you realize the amount of nutrition it's going to take to adequately fuel your gymnast, do you worry you'll have to "force feed" her to get it all in? Does "force feeding" conjure up visions of someone being held down against their will and being spooned fed? That's pretty traumatic to picture doing to your child. And very extreme and something I would never do or prescribe for a multitude of reasons. But, when we're talking about adequately fueling a gymnast and parents realize (or don't!) that their gymnast is underfueled, this is a safety concern. Shifting our mindset to make sure our kids get enough nutrition so that they are safe can be helpful in our approach with our gymnasts. Here at the Balanced Gymnast, we take a very low pressure approach because ultimately it's about health first, gymnastics second. Because let's face it, a stressed out parent and stubborn gymnast isn't going to solve anything. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramEpisode 48: Do Gymnasts Need Snack Breaks?Episode 57: How do I get my gymnast to eat enough?@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.comInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:21:52

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Episode 80: 3 Signs Your Gymnast Needs Nutrition Coaching (+ when they don't)

1/8/2024
Are you wondering if your gymnast needs nutrition coaching but you're not really sure? How do you know when it's time to hire a sports dietitian to support your gymnast's nutrition? Parents and gymnasts are BUSY, but specifically this time of the year is crazy time. Competition season, travel, school, the list is endless. So it's super easy to overlook nutrition. Probably pretty realistic to say when most parents even think about it, it gets pushed to the back of the line for things that just seem more immediate. One of those, "after season" things they'll think about. So today I want to give you an episode that cuts straight to the chase. I'm sharing three signs that your gymnast needs nutrition coaching. And when they don't. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramSatter Division of ResponsibilityWhat College Bound Gymnasts Need to Know about Nutrition with Tiffany Campbell MS, RD, CSSD, CBDT@the.gymnast.nutritionistchristinaandersonrdn.com Inside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:17:29

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Episode 79: Supporting an Elite Track Gymnast with Performance Nutrition [PARENT INTERVIEW]

1/1/2024
Supporting any gymnast is a big job that requires intentional focus and planning. But when you have an elite track gymnast with big goals & dreams...it's almost a full time job to ensure their nutrition is enough to support them. 25-30+ hours/week in the gym is a LOT and requires a tremendous amount of focus and intention when it comes to fueling if you want to keep them healthy. An elite track gymnast is only as strong as his or her nutrition plan. And sadly, most don't even have a plan when it comes to fueling for the work required. Because for as many steps forward as the sport of gymnastics has taken, education for fueling a high-level athlete is still sorely lacking. Myths and lies are still perpetuated by people in the sport who continue to follow the "old school" way of thinking (despite ALL the research saying otherwise), or just don't know any better because they've never been taught. Which makes it really hard for parents to know how to best support their gymnasts with their fueling. Especially at the upper optional and elite levels when it is CRUCIAL for long term health and performance. But I'm happy to say it doesn't have to be this way, and that's why I created The Balanced Gymnast® Program. To help parents navigate the truths and the myths when it comes to fueling their gymnasts. In this episode you'll hear from one of our The Balanced Gymnast® Program alumni what it was like: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® Program@the.gymnast.nutritionistInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:51:44

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Episode 78: Top 5 Ways to Make 2024 Your Gymnast’s Best Season Yet

12/25/2023
New Year, New Goals...will this be your gymnast's best season yet?! The new year for gymnast signals one thing---the start of the competition season! After months of training and honing their skills, it's go time. But does it sound familiar to constantly feel like you're struggling to support your gymnast's performance and recovery? Perhaps you've been told to just make sure they eat enough and rest, but it's not delivering the results you hoped for. You feel like you've tried everything but every season ends with the same disappointing results. Or maybe things are fine throughout season, but you know your gymnast has the potential for so much more. The frustration of seeing your gymnast struggle and not reaching their full potential can be disheartening. But there are proven strategies and techniques that can make 2024 your gymnast's best season yet. In this episode, you will be able to: Listen for 5 things you can do to help your gymnast have their best competition season yet (and for many years to come). Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® Program@the.gymnast.nutritionistInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:12:06

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Episode 77: Gymnast Nervous Stomach and Competition Nutrition

12/18/2023
Does your gymnast suffer from "nervous stomach"? Do competition nerves cause your gymnast to perform differently the day of a meet? Some gymnasts get so worked up the day of a competition with nerves, anxiousness, and are apprehensive about their performance. As a result, fueling is literally the LAST thing they're thinking about. Or maybe its something they're actively avoiding because of a fear of throwing up or making a run to the bathroom mid rotation. I get it. I get nervous too. And our bodies naturally go into "fight or flight" mode when those nerves get the best of us. Anytime we enter this time of the year, aka competition season, we are often faced with competition nerves and anxiety that can sometimes make food intake really difficult. Maybe you're the parent of a gymnast with nervous stomach who REFUSES to eat the day of a competition. But that is why we're talking about this topic today. Because if your gymnast wants to compete how they practice, they have to have proven nutrition strategies that they can use day in and day out during training. In this episode you'll hear about: Links & Resources The Balanced Gymnast® ProgramYou vs You - Is your gymnast meeting her full potential?How to keep your gymnast from imploding this competition season@the.gymnast.nutritionistInside FUELED bootcamp, I’m going to help you uncover what’s working and what’s not with your gymnast’s nutrition so that crush the UPGRADE season. The 3-day Bootcamp kicks off on Sunday April 28th and is for competitive gymnasts + parents. Click here to register.

Duration:00:16:54