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Part II - Sports Nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield On How Baseball Stars Can Improve Performance Without Steroids
Yesterday, I posted the first of a three-part series of guest blogs by respected Sports Nutritionist, Rebecca Scritchfield. Guess what happens today? You betcha. Part II is going up. Oh, I could have repeated Part I and tricked you into clicking on it. I could have skipped Part II and brought you right to Part III as some of you are just dying to know how this ends. But, since I'm Mr. Old School and, at almost 41, Mr. Old, I'm going to follow protocol, follow SOP (standard operating procedure), and throw up. Ohh, I should have completed that sentence, especially since we're talking nutrition. I'm going to throw up Part II, in its entirety, for your reading pleasure today.
"But Jimmy," you speak aloud to your computer screen while I'm hoping nobody hears you speaking aloud to a computer screen, "suppose, after you put up Part III, we choose to read the three posts in any order we, uh, choose?"
That would be, and will be, your perogative. In America, we can only force you to do what is under our control. As the controller of the message written by the Official Sports Nutritionist of Jimmy Scott's High & Tight, Rebecca Scritchfield, I can only put up the posts in the order I wish. Once up, it's up to you if you want to read them in I, II, III Roman Numeral order, or if you want to read them in III, II, I Roman Numeral order. You can even go II, III, I or II, I, III. The sports fantasy geeks reading this will be able to tell us the exact number of possible orders you could read our guest's guest post in, but, either way, you will read all three parts. That's all I want you to do. Each part is equally fascinating. Each part is a portion of a big meal, the big meal being the whole article posted in one long post.
"Jimmy?" you ask.
"Ya vold," I repeat with my Viennese accent.
"Are ya gonna put it up as one long article when all is said & done?"
Hmmm. Define "all is said & done" and I'll answer you. I think you want to know how easy I can make it for you. Here's your answer: IT'S NOT EASY! IT'S NEVER EASY! YOU THINK EATING RIGHT AND LIVING WELL IS (ARE?) EASY?
Nyet.
Pardon my screaming with capital letters (was caps considered screaming before email was invented?). The point is, the Official Sports Nutritionist of Jimmy Scott's High & Tight, Rebecca Scritchfield, has gone out of her way to write Three Ways Star Baseball Players Can Improve Their Performance (Not Steroids). That's where our focus should be, on her and her writings and her practice, Elite Nutrition. She's a very busy woman. You think she has time for you and me to argue in capital letters about the order of her posts? Hey, she gives us three ways. I think, from her perspective, all she cares is that we read the three ways and live better, healthier lives. (Yes, you're not baseball stars, but you can still benefit from her suggestions. Please don't make me spell Everything out for you.) If you choose to read the posts in A,B,C order or 1, 2,3 order, she'll be content. That's the good thing about her. She's a bottom line gal. Not to disparage her by calling her a "gal." I could say, "She's a bottom line woman," but a few of you might snicker and ask about her bottom. It would be unprofessional of me to comment on hers, or anybody's bottom other than my own. So please, just read her Numero Dos and come back tomorrow for Parte Tres. You'll be glad you did.
And I'll be glad too.
Now, let me help ease you in. Yesterday's tip was to Eat A Healthy Sports Diet. Click on that, or click HERE, to take advantage of your last chance to catch up before Rebecca's second tip is posted. If you've read #1, don't be mad as I repeat a bit of Rebecca's introduction and use that to carry us away to part 2. Okay? We good? You and I, we cool? Awesome.
Rebecca J. Scritchfield, RD, LD
Sports Nutrition and Weight Management Expert
ACSM Health Fitness Specialist
Three Things Star Baseball Players Should Do to Improve Performance (Not Steroids)
A brief introduction.. My name is Rebecca Scritchfield. Food and fueling is my business. I practice sports nutrition and weight management in
It’s spring training in the baseball world and that means it’s time for players to ditch the habits they picked up in the off season – what I like to call “black winter”. It’s especially tough for baseball players. They finish the season and land in the holiday warpath – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukah, New Years… Chances are, players put on “a few pounds”. There isn’t much to worry about developing a “winter layer” – as long as you shed it in the spring. Otherwise, you could have a case of “creeping obesity” on your hands. That’s the extra 2-5 pounds each year that never seem to come off and before you know it, you’re tipping the scales.
So, naturally… the first thing players should do come spring training is go on a diet to lose that weight. Right? That’s what usually happens and you might be surprised to learn that it’s wrong. In fact, it is performance sabotage. Players are going to need to eat more food to have energy for their grueling practices and exercise sessions.
Tip #2: Hydration.
Love Your Liquids
Baseball players are outside in the summer, sweating their butts off. Some may particularly be “heavy sweaters” – and that can lead to early fatigue and muscle cramping (when you sweat you lose salt too and the salt loss can lead to cramps).
Basically, what you’re looking for is frequent urination of a reasonable volume and a nice clear to light yellow color. If you’re taking mega vitamins you could have that day-glo pee so this test won’t really work for you. If you ever pee a small volume and experience a “burning sensation” consult your doctor immediately… err… uhhh… kidding. Actually, you may already be dehydrated if you don’t go often or go in small amounts with burning.
On game days make sure you try to get liquid calories too. Drink the milk from the cereal bowl. Fruits and vegetables are full of water so don’t skip ‘em. Add a salty broth based soup for lunch or a snack. Drink water throughout the day and sip on a sports beverage during the event - no need for them before games.
Just because I said “hydrate” does not mean you should siphon water from the cooler until your bladder explodes. Too much water can also cause muscle cramping if you are so over-hydrated that it causes your sodium blood levels to fall.
Last, but not least… if you want to enhance performance the natural way… Tip #3 to come tomorrow.
Until next time…
Rebecca
Rebecca J. Scritchfield, MA, RD, LD, ACSM Health Fitness Specialist is a leading nutrition and exercise expert for the metro Washington, D.C. area. She helps athletes and active people reach their full wellness potential through realistic approaches to behavior changes that fit their busy lives. Her motto “nothing changes until you do” exemplifies her belief in the power individuals already possess to realize their goals.
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