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NUTRITION!
OK...lets talk food, now that I have your attention. For most people they eat what they want, when they want.
Not so, for anyone serious about competition. Nutrition is the process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and for replacement of tissues. I personal don’t believe this “replacement of tissue” was referring to the waist line. Although this seems to be the place it ends up. That is, if you live to eat and not eat to live. But, because we are social by nature it’s very hard to turn down a dinner out with friends . And even worse to not accept another serving of that “great dessert”.
So, what’s your point? You might ask. Well, the point is unless you are in training for a particular event it is very hard to stick to strict diet. A diet could just be as simple as the usual food or drink of a person. This doesn’t make it right. Just something to eat. How many times have we done that same thing. For pool players it’s even harder. Most of the time only the usual same ol’ burgers and fries seem to be the only thing on the menus. It’s amazing that there are so many fit players out there. OK. just kidding. But if you look at all the top players, they look pretty good. These are the ones that not just take their sport serious, but themselves as well. They are athletes. Able to focus and concentrate longer. Their hunger is winning.
As a fitness professional I have counseled many clients on this issue. Some with great success and some not.
I have always disliked the word “diet.” Right away red flags go up for all whose ears have suffered the word. The thought of “no this, and no that” makes Jack a dull boy. The philosophy I have adopted is easy and to the point.
Eat for what you are about to do and not for what you have done.
Its very important to understand that for an athelete food is nothing more than fuel. You wouldn’t put regular octane fuel in a high performance race car. It would go, but I highly doubt it would win any races. Some foods react the same way once assimilated. They slow the body down, making it feel sluggish. It can even affect the way a person thinks.
As a pool player the last thing I want to feel is sluggish. I want to feel alive with passion and vigor when I step up to that rectangular arena. I want to feel confident. I train myself with the same discipline as a pro athelte . Conditioning the body , mind, and spirit. I want to do everything I can to ensure success.
I had a boxing coach once tell me, “son, when you train, do what the other guy isn’t willing to”. So, I would run the first mile forward then the next backwards. I was sure he wasn’t doing that. Then the next three as fast as I could. I never lost when I trained like that. Playing pool does not require that type of endurance training. But, it does require a tremendous amount of disipline. Holding your head perfectly still while shooting and going through a ball. Staying down. Relaxing when you can feel your heart beat in your chest. No wonder I love this game. I want to be at my best when I play. Eating for optimal performance. That’s what I’m talking about.
What are you willing to do to play your best?
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