Episode 60: Unmotivated and lazy, or underfueled? A case study

08/21/23 • 6 min

Is your gymnast lazy and unmotivated... or are they struggling with underfueling?
Today's podcast is a little different. I'm sharing a case study of a gymnast who was struggling with power, endurance, and regression in skills. As a first-year level 10, she knew firsthand how important summer training was for upgrades and big skills.
But instead of progressing, she was actually losing skills. Plus unable to condition at the end of practice and being accused of cheating. When in reality, she was just too exhausted to even function.
Meeting with a registered dietician sports nutritionist was vital for this athlete, as it is for so many. This gymnast wasn't unmotivated or lazy, she was massively underfueled. And it was affecting all aspects of her life, in and out of the gym.
If you or your gymnast's coach are concerned about your athlete's lack of motivation or energy levels, this episode is for you.
Listen to today's episode to see what even a few little changes can do for your high-level gymnast.
In this episode you'll hear about:

Why it's so important to look below the surface of an "unmotivated" or "lazy" gymnast to see what's REALLY going on
Why you can't tell by looking at a gymnast if they're underfueled or not
How quickly things turn around when a gymnast is properly fueled

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Team Talk Series inquiries for coaches and gymnastics club owners
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or [email protected]

Why it's so important to look below the surface of an "unmotivated" or "lazy" gymnast to see what's REALLY going on
Why you can't tell by looking at a gymnast if they're underfueled or not
How quickly things turn around when a gymnast is properly fueled

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Team Talk Series inquiries for coaches and gymnastics club owners
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or [email protected]

Previous Episode

Episode 59: Nutrition is a controllable for gymnasts

When everyone else is doing the same thing, what will help your gymnast stand out from the rest?
Knowledge is power. And the understanding of "how to" when it comes to fueling a high-level gymnast can make all the difference in this sport. When every other gymnast with big goals and dreams is putting in the same hours in the gym, what is going to give your athlete the edge? What is going to keep them healthy, prevent burnout, and reach those goals?
For gymnasts, nutrition is the number one most controllable factor in doing everything we can as parents, coaches, and medical providers to support these athletes. Adequately fueling for the work required is the greatest gift we can give them to take their performance to the next level. But it doubles as a bonus because it's also the best way we can ensure their bodies and minds grow and recover appropriately.
But it can be tough to know if your gymnast is eating enough, what to feed them, and the timing of it all. And it gets even tougher when you're dealing with a gymnast who's "never hungry" or a picky eater.
There are so many pros to the temporary discomfort of standing your ground and holding the boundary as parents when it comes to adequately fueling. By making sure your gymnast is eating enough, you’re giving them the best chance of success both in and out of this sport. And the good news is your gymnast will likely come around to these changes, especially when they feel better

Listen in to hear to help you reframe two things that are true:

Gymnastics is a privilege. And it's your job as a parent to keep them safe.

In this episode you'll hear about:

What you as a parent can do to protect your gymnast's health + your investment in the sport.
Why underfueling is a safety concern during training and when parents need to step in
The gold standard nutritional approach for adolescents

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 57: How do I get my gymnast to eat enough?
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Episode 31: Investing in Your Gymnast's Nutrition for Sport & Life
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or [email protected]

Next Episode

Episode 61: The 411 on Recovery Nutrition for Gymnasts

Do you know how to optimize recovery nutrition for your gymnast?
Today I want to talk all about recovery nutrition for gymnasts because all too frequently, parents and gymnasts are focusing on the wrong things at the wrong time.
It is towards the end of August at the time of this recording, and most gymnasts are heading back to school. Which means incredibly long days away from home. So my question to you is, is your gymnast really recovering from all her training in the gym?
If your gymnast is not recovering from her training, they are not going to get stronger or better from their training. Or the results they want. Plus it puts them at an incredibly high risk for injury.
When an athlete isn't eating enough to support their daily needs, the recovery nutrition your gymnast is using won't give them the results they want.
Listen to today's episode to hear how to ensure recovery nutrition for your gymnast is on the right track.
In this episode you'll hear about:

The 5th event in gymnastics...do you know what it is?
The big rocks of recovery nutrition and what you need to know to ensure your gymnast is getting it right
Whether your gymnast is at risk of losing hard-earned muscle during practice from improper fueling.

Links & Resources