(English) How Being an Athlete Influences My Eating Habits

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By: Edward Zhang (Junior Editor of Asian American Today)

Being an athlete requires commitment
in many different ways. Time
management, for example, becomes an
issue for athletes busy with homework.
Good hygiene is also hard to maintain.
Furthermore, sticking to a vigorous
workout schedule is physically and
mentally trying for any athlete aspiring
to become great.
However, many people do not immediately
realize that being an athlete
also requires much more attention to
diet. Since most sports involve intense,
physical movements, nearly all participants
experience an increased need
for food and liquids.
The eight daily glasses of water
recommended by nutritionists quickly
becomes ten, twelve, and sixteen, with
some spring and summer sports forcing
children to consume up to a gallon
of water a day in order to quench thirst.
Even winter sport participants must be
sure to hydrate carefully, as the cold
weather often impairs the ability of the
body to recognize fluid loss.
It was not until one, hot day, when
I was running track, that I realized
the importance of hydrating myself.
Prior to the workout, I had not stopped
by the water fountain like the coach
had recommended. During school,
I also had failed to grab my normal
carton of milk. And, worst of all, in
between sprint runs, I had not taken
the time to grab a few sips of water
from the water fountain.
Very soon, my mouth had begun
to taste bitter and fill with mucus. I
had difficulty getting enough air to
maintain a sprint, and I was forced
to slow to a limp, wheezing and swallowing
rapidly to rid of the snot. My
coach had come over, demanding to
know why I had slowed, and I had
only mumbled a couple of slurred
apologies back to him.
It was then when I understood
why so many of my fellow team members
spit while they run. I myself had
felt an irrational desire to use a Q-tip to
swab my mouth clean.
After that incident, I always
made sure to properly hydrate myself
before running. Now, I am constantly
forced to think of my next opportunity
to grab a drink, and I often find
myself devoting a good couple of minutes
of my day to sitting down at the
kitchen table and sipping some cool
water from the fridge.
It is an unusual habit, but it is one
that I am sure many athletes like me have
come to accept. Athletes are the only
people who require such extraordinary
and unique commitment to their sport.