It's no secret that I have had my share of challenges within my most favorite thing: Running. But many of these are reparable and even self actualizing. As a former English teacher, I am connecting the dots to that of George Orwell and Ray Bradbury: Big Brother had me unconciosuly reacting to my greatest fears.
I hear often from younger women that their greatest fear is not a caged rat attached to the face or their house igniting in flames (again, read 1984 and F451- ha I cant help it!) but rather NOT IMPROVING.
And, maybe thats something many of us goal oriented athletes, humans can all relate (i mean out of the mouth of babes right?!?).
If your greatest fear is an idea in your mind that sometimes can be a self fulfilling prfessing- you almost become your worst enemy in trying trying to strive for your best self. WOW if that is not a mind F I dont know what is...but folks - this is real.
Let me take the shame away for a quick minute - all of these women have related to this sotry. Molly Seidel, Laura Flshman, Allie Ostrander, Esther Aitkens, Kara Goucher, You are not alone. The earlier we can talk about it, the better the prognosses- the less phyical and mental damage you accrue. We need to fill those brain trenches of disordered thinking in sport with rich fresh soil for these gals.
As Friends, Coaches, and Mentors - we can speak and act differently to water this fresh soil and provide a healthy root for our girls to blossom in port for years to come - avoiding the brocken stem and wilted pedal by the time we are 20. Its time to pinch some life into those pink cheels, I mean pedals! I digress. lol
"I Changed My Body for My Sport. No Girl Should." Laura Fleshman
Stop Stop Stop FORCING your body composition to fit an ideal your sport or culture has pervasively mind F'd you into believing is your way to improvement. No No No. I am not saying to not pay attention but yes I am saying STOP PAYING ATTENTION. Ad dont give me but im scared about obesity. If this is valid, yes, address it with a therapist and a dietition; but othersie let your daughter feel good in her skin.
Our girls are watching and listening to you!
Coaches, Parents- you set the standard for our girls. We live in a culture where 5 punds underwight is celbrated (underfueing wricks havoc on hormones, bones, and mental health) and 5 pound over requires a diet. It breaks my heart to hear a study reporting thqt 80% of 10 year old girls have already been on a diet. Moms - stop dieting, eat balanced. If your athlete (or you are) are binge eating it is a red flag your body in underfueld. Our culture has demonished the the eaxct foods we need to thrive in our sport: carbs, fats, and proteins. Consume balanced proportioned meals throughout the day (I like Nancy Clarks's sugggestion of having 5 buckets and breaking up your caloric needs evenly through your day. You should never feel deprived, restricted, or overly hungry. Trust me, this balance works! I feel 100 ALL DAY LONG follwoing this advice. I NEVER restrict anymore. That was BigBrother Fear talking to me. Shout out to Kylee Vandorn RDN for releasing these fears and teaching me the right way to live and run simultaneoulsy!
The fact is, a well coached athlete who is intrinsically motivated will train by sound philosophies and who just eats enough food especially around activity will take their form. You should never talk weight, diet, or body. Let the child go through puberty with grace! Model good but not perfect nutrition with NO RULES or trends or diets talks. Let it all come naturally. Please make sure your athlete or child never hears you comment on her lack or or too much hip, boob, legs- She may carry these for the rest of her life- again feeling fearful she is not enough to be great. She is Great. Let her blossom on her time. Let the female athlete feel strong in their body and let the joy of the sport shape them. Now that is a priceless gift we can give our girls.
2.WOMEN ARE NOT SMALL MEN
3. Trust Your Coach. Settle Down. It will all work out if you let the bulb turn towards the sun. Keep it fun, build a base, and trust the coach. If your kid is genetically inclined in a sport and is intrinisically motivated, he or she will bring the intensisty when their body and mind are ready. A coach is not going to be able to do that. Speaking of "good" coaches., if the coach listens and cares and wants your child to have fun buidling up an aerobic base and strength. I would rather have a chill coach who cares any day over a coach who tries all the latset shiny cool training techniques any day. Theat cool stuff comes later. So, realx if your kids 5th grade soccer coach has never played soccer before.
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