September 2013

By Jane Sylvestre, RD - 9/5/2013

September Blog

Summer is now coming to an end.  I hope you enjoyed yourself.  I had a busy summer with the kids tubing, kayaking, biking and surfing.  I also spent much of my time training for an October marathon.  I know many of you have been running as well.  I don’t expect everyone to become a runner because the sport can be hard on the body and is not for everyone.  Running is definitely not enjoyable for anyone initially, but can become a source of enjoyment and loved physical activity for those who put in the time. You certainly need to start slow and run/walk in the beginning until you can build up your strength, endurance and fitness level.   Go to coolrunning.com and the couch to 5K program to start from the beginning.  I do know many of our patients who have taken a liking to the sport. 

I have taken a special interest in the bariatric athlete.  I had organized a conference for New England Dietitians back in June 2013 which highlighted Nancy Clark, RD as our guest speaker.  She is a very well known sports dietitian in the nutrition world.  Check out her website at http://www.nancyclarkrd.com/  I thought she was fabulous and I learned so much as well as having many of my thoughts on sports nutrition confirmed.  I was prepared for her lecture with a slew of questions. 

Please do not take any offence, but bariatric patients are known to have addictive personalities.  This can be an addiction to carbohydrates or food in general.  Sometimes these addictions can translate to other forms of addiction such as shopping, alcohol and/or drugs.  This is one of the reasons we screen our patients and restrict those who have concurrent alcohol and drug addictions until they have proven ability to refrain from the drug for a period of time.  Sometimes, an addictive personality can be geared towards something more positive such as exercise.  Patients’ changing from a food to exercise addiction is not uncommon.  Addiction or not, many of our patients have run a 5K. ½ marathon and even a full 26.2 mile marathon. 

Nutrition guidelines for the bariatric athlete are a little different than what an average patient would follow.  Of course, you still want to make healthy food selections in terms of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and some whole grains.  Typically, we have patients focus primarily on protein and vegetables.  Adequate protein is still essential, but our athletes may need to consider including a little more carbohydrate.  Remember that carbohydrate does not necessarily mean bread and pasta as these foods can be very challenging for the band patient. Carbohydrate also includes milk/dairy, fruit and vegetables too!  Believe it or not, a little gummy candy or jelly beans are not so forbidden when running very long distances.  I think this is my motivation to run so far!!!  They provide a source of fuel for your muscles.  If candy becomes an addiction for you, you can always fuel your runs with healthier sources of carbohydrate such as dried fruit.

My goal is to prepare and present a conference on the “Bariatric Athlete” in the future.  For now, consider running (and/or a brisk walk) as an enjoyable physical activity.  Visit the websites I noted above and continue to make healthy, balanced food choices.  Contact me if you have any specific questions on sports nutrition because as I mentioned this is a special interest of mine.

As a reminder, I am starting my 6 week nutrition class on September 11, 2013.  If you are interested in the program you can contact our main office at 508-668-4400 or e-mail me at janesylvestre@massweightloss.com.   Enjoy the fall.   Jane

 

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