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Knowledge alone isn't enough
Do we always behave according to facts we know? Here is an example of how I don’t.Carbohydrate is king for endurance athletes. A pretty safe dictum at this point; almost to the point of sports-nutrition commandment. Education and experience has placed that firmly in my brain. Yet my behavior change reflecting that can drag along slowly, despite my brain knowing better. Here’s my very recent example of this: I like taking time off heavy endurance activity in November and December to achieve some degree of physical and mental rest. Laying low for a couple months offers me a welcome mix-up to the lifestyle, as well as dents the stack of books on my nightstand! True to pattern over the years, this January finds my aerobic activity shift from very low to near daily activity in the form of Nordic skiing.I am still in the early-season adaptation phase for this relatively demanding sport, and likely will be for another few weeks until my aerobic system and muscles are comfortably fit for regular hour-plus sessions. Just like when I begin bike or run training during the warmer times of year.Daily reminders of my budding fitness occur with chronically tender muscles and muted motivation to get up from wherever I am sitting. This is completely par for the course when getting back into it. It is also par for the course for me to overlook my need for additional calories, particularly carbohydrates! Even though I have the knowledge to increase my carbohydrate intake aligned with the increased activity, I am always a couple weeks behind to readjust my eating pattern, this year being no exception. My knowledge isn’t enough, my body has to TELL ME in the form of heavy legs and yawns, for me to change my behavior.Easy enough. I’m now finally changing behavior with oatmeal instead of eggs for breakfast, an extra midday peanut butter and jelly on toast, and some extra fruit after dinner. Top all that off with extra sleep, water, stretching and I’m more or less on track.This whole scenario is a pretty predictable annual occurrence for me. And serves as a great reminder to respect the difficulty inherent in human behavior change. Simply knowing better isn’t enough. I need to feel the need to change.
Oregon, United States
Triathlon, Athletes/Active Lifestyle
BS in biology, MS in exercise science, BS in nutrition/dietetics, Registered Dietitian. 10…MORE
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