A pitcher’s effectiveness will suffer if he ignores what he puts into his body. Our country has been struggling with an obesity epidemic for quite some time, showing no signs of abating. As I continue observing sporting events, I see young pitchers consistently gaining weight.
A few years ago, a group of parents approached me about their son, who they and his coaches and parents all thought had tremendous potential as a pitcher. After observing him toss a few times, I can say that I am impressed. As I watched his throws, I also saw that kid was quite overweight for his age (14). I had several conversations with the parents about bringing their son to see me for assistance with his mechanics. Several difficulties with his mechanics and delivery would lead to arm injuries if he didn’t do two things: (1) fix his mechanics and (2) get in shape by cutting calories and increasing physical activity. His arm could not bear the weight of his body since he was facing the incorrect way (away from home plate). His mom called me a few months later to deliver some devastating news. This teenage athlete was experiencing severe arm pain. He needed Tommy John surgery for his ruined shoulder. I was saddened to hear this and wish he had taken the initiative to create a healthy lifestyle plan that would have helped him avoid harm and set the foundation for a lifetime of positive choices.
I don’t want Pitchers reading this to feel like they must diet or assume that beginning a nutritional program is the same as going on one. Not at all! Young athletes must learn the importance of proper nutrition early to reach their full athletic potential and live a happy life.
Let me start by saying there is no such thing as a foolproof diet. Because of these differences, caloric needs vary significantly from person to person. The amount of calories expended every day is also a factor. No one is going to stick to the ideal diet plan. Each of us has favorite unhealthy food that we eat nonetheless. We may still follow some fundamental recommendations to achieve our best performance while eating those things in moderation. I want to share some advice with you in this piece. Putting these suggestions into reality is the real challenge, so don’t be put off if they appear overly simplistic or familiar.
What not to eat:
1) Soda: This growing classroom problem shows no signs of abating. Companies typically spend thousands of dollars to install drink machines in every school in exchange for advertising space. Soft drinks are problematic since they are high in salt, caffeine, and empty calories. Each of these things is harmful to our metabolism in its way. There’s enough sugar in a soda can to fill around 18 tablespoons.
2) Fatty and Fried Foods: We all know what these are, and you can find them pretty much anywhere, but fast food establishments stock the most variety. Most fast-food restaurants now offer healthier options, so there is no longer an excuse. Fat requires more effort to move than lean muscle. Nuts (raw almonds are lovely), olives, avocados, and salmon are all good sources of healthy fats. If you don’t eat enough fish, take a fish oil supplement.
Thirdly, alcohol: despite what some may say, such as how healthy it is to have a glass of wine every day, there is nothing positive about alcohol. Again, there are plenty of options, right? Alcohol, in the end, robs us of the water, oxygen, and nutrition we need to carry out our regular routines. It’s highly addictive and loaded with empty calories.
4) Nicotine is highly addictive and hurts the body’s ability to transport oxygen to the muscles, just like alcohol. Many baseball players use smokeless tobacco, which is a severe problem. These athletes have chosen a choice that will limit their performance on the field. The effort required to reach the next level should not be wasted.
Five) Restrict your intake of processed foods. These foods are stripped of healthy ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber to make room for fat and carbs like sugars.
6). Too Much Dressing, Sauce, Butter, Etc. Being overweight is always a bad idea. Even if you believe you’re eating a healthy salad by dousing it in ranch dressing, you consume much more calories than you realize. Instead of butter, try oil or vinegar.
Seven) Steroids Today is the era of steroids. Many athletes have opted for this method to get an unfair advantage. It’s tragic to think of what time will do to their bodies. The problems and risks of this potent medication are worth endless discussion. Put, stay away from steroid use. You’ll likely regret taking them and live in constant terror, just like several MLB players are doing right now.
Picking the Right Snacks and Meals:
Taking multivitamins daily is the first step in giving our bodies the care they deserve. Even if we stick to a perfect diet, these pills will fill in the gaps for the vitamins and minerals our systems still need. Get a multivitamin and mineral that your body can use.
Proteins are essential for increasing metabolic rate and constructing muscle. Foods high in protein but low in fat should be prioritized. Although a cheeseburger from any fast food joint is an excellent source of protein, it’s better to opt for healthier options, such as a low-calorie protein shake, when you’re craving a double cheeseburger. The protein content in broccoli is exceptionally high.
Thirdly, raw fruits and vegetables taste the best. I like using a vegetable steamer to preserve as many nutrients as possible in frozen vegetables. We also need to have a more alkaline than acidic pH. You can find energizing fresh greens in the produce area of any grocery store. To complement my morning coffee, I enjoy a phytonutrient-rich green drink.
4). Foods high in fiber, such as oats, apples, beans, etc. These aid in fat digestion by absorbing some of it from the digestive tract and speeding its passage through the body. Kashi cereals, oranges, whole-grain bread, fruits, and vegetables like soybeans are all excellent sources of fiber.
There’s a simple solution to the American obesity epidemic: eat less but more often. We can all easily accomplish this. When we eat too quickly, our brain doesn’t register how much food we’ve consumed, despite our body’s cues that we’re full. Eating more frequently (albeit in smaller portions) keeps our metabolism revved up and helps minimize sharp hunger pains, which can lead to poor decision-making regarding what we eat. When we’re starving, it doesn’t matter what we eat. My best friend once recommended that I count to twenty before swallowing. It aids in preventing us from overeating, for one thing, and also makes digestion much more efficient.
We’ve already covered the problems with soda, but it bears repeating: don’t guzzle down too many fruit juices and sodas, either. These have a similar calorie accumulation as condiments. Water is always a safe bet when you’re parched and have no other options. Drinking eight or more glasses of water every day is highly advised. Remember that we are primarily water beings.
Do not eat in front of the TV while doing homework or sitting around doing nothing. It’s far simpler to overeat and snack inappropriately.
8) Visit http://www.glycemicindex.com and pick foods low on the Glycemic Index.
Dan Gazaway is the best pitching coach because of his comprehensive, up-to-date resources on throwing mechanics, exercises, grips, and routines. He attended a course in San Diego and obtained coaching accreditation from The National Pitching Association. Over a thousand and counting are among Coach Gazaway’s students. His website is his most recent creation.
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