Nutrition self-sabotage

Self-sabotage has a simple definition - when you undermine your own goals and values.

As a dedicated athlete, you likely know that hard work will help you move closer to the goals that you want to achieve. However, as it relates to nutrition, you may be making choices that directly conflict with your goals - this is self-sabotage.

For example, here are a few common nutrition self-sabotage scenarios that athletes make. Are you guilty of any of the following?

• Intentionally undereating before a workout in order to "save" calories (or in attempt to burn more fat for fuel). 
• Forgetting to fuel before an afternoon workout, only to cut the workout short because of low energy/fatigue/hunger. 
• Intentionally not eating before a workout in order to validate consuming calories during the workout. 
• Intentionally underfueling during a workout in order to indulge post workout.
• Dieting to change body composition in order to become a faster/stronger athlete. 
• Neglecting to recover well with nutrition after a long workout, only to overeat in the evening or feel low in energy (and sore/tired) the next day.

Whether your self-sabotaging behaviors are intentional or unintentional, everybody engages in self-sabotage at some time. If done occasionally - such as indulging in a late night dessert or forgetting your sport nutrition during a workout - the consequences may be minor. But for some athletes, self-sabotaging behaviors become a chronic pattern that affect training, health and life. For example, intentionally skipping or skimping on nutrition before, during and after a workout in an effort to "offset" poor eating habits that occurred in the last 24-48 hours is performance limiting and can negatively affect physical and emotional health.

To stop your self-sabotaging behavior(s), take some time to understand why you are doing what you are doing and to determine a more constructive way to fix the underlying problem.

• Why are you self-sabotaging yourself?
• What need is the self sabotaging behavior feeding?
• What purpose is the behavior serving?

When you understand the need that your self-sabotaging behavior is filling, you can learn alternative behaviors to fill that need. As an example, if you afraid to fuel adequately (consume enough calories) during your workouts because you are unhappy with your body composition/image, you need to understand that intentionally restricting fuel/calories is a way to help you feel control over your diet and body composition. Although the behavior has negative consequences to your performance and health (and body composition), it's important to be compassionate with yourself as you explore the deeper meanings of your self-sabotaging choices. 

Why do you self-sabotage?

Often it comes from a place of self-doubt. It's time to stop the self-sabotaging behaviors. You are capable of so much more than you believe you can accomplish.