Healthy Training Tips

Training to develop strength, endurance and a competitive edge can be grueling, and it can take weeks -- even months -- for an athlete to see the results of their hard work. But a healthy, drug-free training regimen is the best way to make sure you’re strong -- today and tomorrow.

Safe, Healthy, Drug-Free Training Tips

• Don’t trust gimmicks or quick-fix approaches. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
• Eat a healthy, varied diet that includes many different foods. Make sure to eat the recommended amount of daily servings from all five good groups and balance your food choices. Healthful eating doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods and beverages.
• Get plenty of sleep and rest. Believe it or not, the body does a lot of work, including repairing and building muscle, when you’re asleep.
• Remember that different body types respond differently to training:
• Ectomorphs are thin wispy people who have a tough time gaining weight and muscle;
• Mesomorphs are strong, stockier people who gain muscle easily when they exercise; and
• Endomorphs are stout, rounded people with slower metabolisms that resist losing weight.

• Be aware of your body type and be patient with your body. You can only work with the traits you were born with.
• Set realistic goals -- an ectomorph trying to gain the muscle mass of a linebacker is not realistic.
• Be proud of yourself when you reach your fitness goals – you worked hard to achieve them.
• Seek out advice from a reliable professional like a coach, dietician or physician about safe, drug-free ways to gain strength and endurance.
• Make responsible choices – it says a lot about who you are. Always examine the advice you are given and decide what is best for you. If you need help, ask an adult.
• Support your friends’ and teammates' decisions to be PEDs-free.
• Avoid situations and people that involve PEDs.