How Can Athletes Keep Their Hearts Healthy?

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It may be American Heart Month but heart health is an important topic year round for both athletes and the general public. While athletes are generally healthier, they are not immune to problems. Years of stress, bad nutrition, and poor exercise habits will slowly break down the body and lead to various conditions, regardless of how much you exercise. But how can athletes keep their hearts healthy? It’s more than just going out for a run and eating a salad.

How Athletes Can Keep Their Hearts Healthy

For better heart health, you’ll need to train smart and eat to support your active lifestyle. Here are some ways you can do that:

  • Follow a well constructed, periodized plan. See how we can help!
  • Don’t “cram” for a race. Plan your training out to give your self time to build up mileage rather than pushing through some last minute long runs a few weeks before a big race. While you may be able to get away with in in the short term, it’s long term health and longevity that we want to improve.
  • Include rest and recovery in your training. Recovery days are needed to absorb all the hard work you’ve been putting in.
  • Include strength training in your plan. Strong muscles support you in all the things you like to do. This includes activities of daily living and running up mountains.
  • Listen to your body and don’t ignore symptoms. If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out.
  • Reduce stress and negative emotions. While stress can’t be eliminated entirely, how much stress you put yourself under and your outlook can make a difference in you health down the road.
  • Enjoy your food, but remember to eat to support your training. Workouts aren’t an excuse to be able to eat dessert all day, every day.
  • Eat to stabilize your blood sugar so that you can prevent disease and promote longterm health. See how we can help with your daily and sport nutrition.
  • Remember that it’s not about pushing to 100% all the time, your training needs to have the right intensities at the right times. This includes easy workouts, too. Periodizing our training is better for your health and for sports performance.

Looking for nutrition support to promote better health and sports performance?
Check out our Nutrition Coaching.

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