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

02/19/24 • 23 min

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:

When nerves kick in at high pressure meets and what you can do
How to make sure your gymnast is maximizing practices, even at the end of a long season
Why underfueling has such an impact on injuries at the upper levels

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 85: Road to Nationals Part 3 - Making every meal count for your gymnast
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Episode 46: Nutrition Non-Negotiables for High Level Gymnasts
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

When nerves kick in at high pressure meets and what you can do
How to make sure your gymnast is maximizing practices, even at the end of a long season
Why underfueling has such an impact on injuries at the upper levels

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 85: Road to Nationals Part 3 - Making every meal count for your gymnast
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Episode 46: Nutrition Non-Negotiables for High Level Gymnasts
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Previous Episode

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

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:

Why high-level gymnasts need every meal, including breakfast and lunch, every day
How to navigate the struggle with dinner and post-workout meals
How to show up to practice each Monday and perform at your highest potential

Links & Resources

The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts
Episode 84:Road to Nationals Part 2 - How to Keep your Gymnast Healthy this Season
Episode 4: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
Episode 48: Do Gymnasts Need Snack Breaks?
Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com

Next Episode

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

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