Fueling the Body

The mind may play a significant role in your swimming career; however, you could have the sharpest mind, and it would mean nothing without a healthy body. As swimmers, we must learn to nourish and sleep well in order to keep our bodies in peak shape. Many swimmers say that they cannot sleep as much as they want because they have a lot of work or activities they must complete. As athletes, we must learn to prioritize. A wise man once taught me the rule of three. It is a simple and efficient rule that I believe to be essential in order to be effective student-athletes. It is important not to bite off more than you can chew—the rule of three states that you must prioritize three things above all. I had to learn this the hard way. When I became a freshman, my priorities were popularity, friends, and school. My swimming career took a turn for the worst. I would show up to practice late, or I wouldn't come. After the first couple of months, I had a long talk with my coach. He helped me come back. That is when my priorities changed. They had become swimming, school, and family. Coming back was hard. The hardest change I had to make was nutrition. Nutrition will either make or break a transformation—no more sugar and junk food: only protein, carbs, and vegetables. Starting a rigorous diet is the most challenging part of a transformation. Without proper nutrition, your body will not function properly in the water, and you will not be able to make the most out of practice. Not only is nutrition essential, but so is sleep. Sleep should be a priority for all athletes. Sleeping allows your body to recover, replenish, and grow. Therefore, to be in peak shape, as athletes, we must prioritize sleep and nutrition.