A recent article in one of the triathlon magazines (i forget which one, maybe Triathlete) covered eating disorders and related problems concerning body image in endurance athletes. In a sport in which so many people are in amazing shape and have extremely low body fat percentages, there is a pressure to have that perfect body, and many people have a distorted view of their own bodies. This seems to be compounded by the fact that most triathletes are obsessive about their sport and hence, their body. I myself watch my own nutritional intake very closely, and seem to monitor my body fat even closer. When does being a dedicated triathlete and just eating healthy cross over into a disorder? I was wondering if anyone else had read the article, and what they thought
Triathlon Forum
Login required to started new threads
Login required to post replies
Re: eating disorders and endurance athletes [apolack1]
[ In reply to ]
It's usually a variant of anorexia. http://www.edauk.com/sub_young_athletes2.htm
But if you think some triathletes might have a distorted body image, you should try hanging out with some of the body builders.
But if you think some triathletes might have a distorted body image, you should try hanging out with some of the body builders.
Re: eating disorders and endurance athletes [apolack1]
[ In reply to ]
"When does being a dedicated triathlete and just eating healthy cross over into a disorder? "
When you can use your ribs as an instrument...
When you can use your ribs as an instrument...
Just remember that your goal is to get fast, not look fast. Bodybuilders have to deal with a totally different type of competition. They have to get crazy lean and sometimes they do so by extreme measures. They are not powerlifters. I think you can see the difference when you look at olympic powerlifters. BBers look pretty, but are not necessarily stronger than their powerlifting colleagues.
I have actually been more lean when I wasn't a triathlete. It was when I was fitness/physique focused. I don't think I could get that lean again and train the way I do.
So maybe a good rule of thumb would be, if you are sacrificing your recovery and/or quality traning sessions because of an attempt to look better, then maybe you have a problem.
Justin D
I have actually been more lean when I wasn't a triathlete. It was when I was fitness/physique focused. I don't think I could get that lean again and train the way I do.
So maybe a good rule of thumb would be, if you are sacrificing your recovery and/or quality traning sessions because of an attempt to look better, then maybe you have a problem.
Justin D