Nutrition, strength, and conditioning programs for 19 year old female jockey who does extreme weight loss diets like fighters
The daughter of a co worker is a 19 year old jockey and exercise rider for thoroughbred racehorses. She is taking advice from older male jockeys and chose to do rapid weight loss right before a race rather than maintain a healthy, fit weight closer to her race weight. I’m looking for research or articles on the the impact this has on a young female body as well as articles with recommendations for nutrition and fitness programs specifically for female jockeys. This young lady is obstinate, part of what makes her good at what she does, but won’t listen to anyone when it comes to preparing and protecting her body for a long career. Anyone that has info or can point me toward resources would be greatly appreciated
Hi Jennifer,
Here are a few general articles with some good information on rapid weight loss…(you may also do a search for some more recent studies on rapid weight loss):
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/rapid-weight-loss?page=2
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/20/crash.diets.harm.health/
I hope someone on this board can help you with the female jockey conditioning part of it.
Best,
Christine
Hi Jennifer,
I can certainly understand your concern for your co-workers daughter. Extreme diets resulting in rapid weight loss is not recommended. I have read many books on the subject matter and the consensus is that diets do not work. Research now shows that rapid weight loss or weight loss with the wrong approach can result in hormonal imbalances, a damaged metabolism and a decrease in the metabolic rate by 300 kcal/day. Diets are not a “one size fits all” approach. We are as different on the inside as we are on the outside. A female body is completely different than a male body. What seems to be working for these male jockeys will not work for her. A better approach is for her to find a safe nutrition program and exercise program that will work for her unique body and safely give her the results she is looking for.
Below is an article written by Jill Coleman (www.jillfit.com), who happens to train women for figure & bodybuilding competitions. She is also one of the co-founders of Metabolic Effect. Her husband, Dr. Jade Teta, is one of the authors of the two books I listed below.
http://www.metaboliceffect.com/why-one-size-fits-all-diets-do-not-work/
Some of the books that I have read are “The Metabolic Effect” and “Lose Weight Here”. Both of these books are written by Drs. Jade and Keoni Teta. Both individuals are Naturopathic Physicians with there undergraduate degrees in biochemistry.
I hope this information will help.
Hello Jennifer Mercer,
Situations like this upset me, when people take advice from laymen instead of professionals in the field, without looking at the big picture.
Not to avoid your question, others have helped with what you ask, I suggest working on getting this person in the right mindset first. Otherwise, nothing you say or show will have any effect for the positive.
Remember, 19 year olds’ brains are not fully developed, yet, either, leading to unwise decisions. That is why this young woman needs you, so, please do not give up, continue looking for opportunities to leave printed articles where they will be found by her and work on her stages of change to move her forward.
You may also want to suggest that she see a registered dietitian. Are female jockeys available who can talk to her? If not, male jockeys should also be able to help if they speak about their injuries and health history; better than nothing. Get her into the reality check mode with those types of people; I know this is very difficult.
If need be; she may be the type who needs to learn for herself the hard way…hard to watch, but, only after you have exhausted all your options. Best of luck.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
Hi Jennifer,
here is another article to add to your list file:///C:/Users/Karin/Downloads/Athletes_and_Eating_Disorders_Handout.p….
It’s such a sad story because you are not likely to get through to her. She is influenced by people who are very important to her. I hope she will be okay in the long run.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com