No Energy
 

Often times, after a short night followed by a long day at work my energy level is less than desirable when it comes time to step on the court. I've been boosting my energy level with a large Snickers and a 20oz Mountain Dew which seems to work well but is not very healthy. Do any of you have healthy ways that you boost your pre-game energy level?

For me, lots and lots of water all day helps. Keeps the blood pressure up a little. Also, keeping physically active through the early afternoon can help. Conversely, sometimes I find a 30-45 minute nape at lunch time helpful.

If you think the Snickers plus the caffeine is the only thing that is going to do the trick, it's slightly less unhealthy if you eat the Snickers in small bites over a couple of hours, and drink maybe a less caffeine and sugar in your guzzle.

On the other hand, a Snickers and a Big Gulp once a week isn't really much of a big deal health-wise. If it was every day, or twice a day, that would be different.

Fruits, real juices, energy bars might all help. I would also talk to a doctor to find out what other issues you might have to deal with that could be a result of your lack of energy. You could have issues of sleep, general health and diet which a doctor would know much more than any of us here that are sapping your energy level.

Peace

One of those energy drinks .... Red Bull e.g. sometimes knocks my cobwebs off.

Rock star, diet coke (becasue of the no sugar) and daily vitamin suppliments keep me wired. I take rhodiola on occasion before a game and it keeps me alert as a taxi cab passenger in Uganda.

I use greenies.

Works for me.

And that's a good thing?!? When I was in a matatu in Kisumu (Kenya), I didn't want to be alert! I just hoped the death would be quick and painless.

Oh, how my game last Saturday could have been quick and painless...

When I die, I want to go peacefully, in my sleep, like my grandfather did.

Not wide awake screaming like the passengers in his car.

I'm a proponent of a Red Bull just before game time. Add a pack of peanut butter crackers if ya haven't had dinner yet. This ritual seems to help me concentrate better, especially if it's a sloppy game. (don't want to sound sexist here, but private school 1A girls games come to mind)

Check out the energy drinks, and try to find one you like. They usually contain various health supplements, and there are some that are sugar free, which is probably a better alternative than mountain dew.

The drawback is that they are more expensive....

... feilding their first team after opening the school last year! They a couple of Advil might make sense.

I drink a can of Amp atleast 30 minutes before the game and that helps me out. Usually, when I start running, I am okay.

There is a drink called Spark made by a company called advocare. Go to www.advocare.com It is great and more healthy than the above mentioned.

Mountain Dew and Snickers is a glycemic nightmare. Try having fewer processed carbs in the afternoon. Sugar makes the insulin level go up; insulin makes you sleepy. Coffee and a low carb snack bar or a piece of fruit (fruit has a lower glycemic value than processed sugar) should do the trick for a quick pick me up, unless you are sensitive to caffeine.

Stick to whole grains, salads and protein for lunch. At any rate, cut down on the sugar, white rice and potatoes. Save those for when you're not trying to stay awake.

You also might want to get your blood sugar checked, if you haven't done that in a while.

It really depends on the person. Even in people who have this strong glycemic response, stretching out the sugar over a long period of time makes the "hit" much less. Furthermore, if he consumes the whole candy bar and the entire 20 oz drink within half-an-hour of the game, his activity levels will raise other body responses and the insulin response will be quite a bit less extreme. The glycemic index thing is an extremely limited evaluation overall, I think.

That's funny! Years ago in Korea my buddies and I referred to cabs as "red death", "yellow death" etc, depending on the color cab you got. No need for energy boosts in them...the ride always kicked your adrenaline into high gear :eek: :)

Five Krystal Burgers and a large Sweet Tea is a good pre-game meal !:D

He said he wanted some energy, not to get his colon cleaned! :p

I too have experienced same problem. Engery drinks or not good for me. Wires me up too fast, concentration completely breaks down, and I'm gritterly on the court. Gatorades has even thrown me off. I now stick to water only during my games, nothing that got any kind of ingredients to offset something deficient. I have tried eating a big lunch but sometimes this has had a negative effect too. It caused me to be tired depending on what I had for lunch. I think potatoes (from a post earlier here) and some red meats are bad and energy draining. For me, it is still a work in progress but I'm back to the salads, and possibly a chicken or fish sandwich from a fast food before the game if I feel the need. I always eat a big steak dinner before a long weekend tournament (summer).

There are some pretty slick books and articles from NBA officials that talk about their daily routines and how they manage their bodies during the day, getting ready for the next game. Starting today, I have 5 straight days of big games this week. This is a key week for me and possibly my biggest this season. I got to have my A-game so nutrition and hopefully not burning myself out at work during the day, is very important.

Try to stay away from the processed sugars & heavy carbs. Another down side of the sugar/caffiene approach is the crash when it wears off.

A light meal or snack 2-3 hours before the game helps, and as Jeff & Jim suggested sticking to things like fresh fruits, juices and energy bars are best. Mine typically consists of a banana, orange or apple & a couple of pieces of beef jerky, washed down with 16 oz of V8 juice. It's a good combination of natural fruit sugars, vitamins, minerals & protein that works well for me. Also the banana & V8 are rich in potassium, which is important for both the muscular and cardiovascular systems, and is depleted by exercise.

Proper hydration is essential before, during & after the game - as one of my SEER instructors told us many years ago, if you don't have to go you're not drinking enough water. Make sure you get adequate fluids and avoid those like coffee, tea & others (many sodas) that have a diuretic effect.

Getting enough rest is important too - when you're sleeping is when your body does most of it's repair work. Faced with a short night, power napping as Juulie suggested helps. Studies have shown that 20-30 minutes is about optimal - nap too long & it can actually make you feel more tired, not the result you're looking for.

Hope you find this useful........

Everyone has their own routine. Here's mine. I cannot do a lot of caffeine, so if I had one of those super caffeinated drinks I'd be on the verge of a a full blown panic attack --- not exactly what you want in the middle of the game. About 2 hours before a game I have a PB&J sandwich, and 30 minutes before a game I eat a Cliff bar. Tons of carbs... but the good ones that will keep you going for long time. They come in all kinds of flavors. If I don't have any Cliff bars I'll eat a Detour protien bar, preferably the low sugar version. Those things are Snickers on steroids. Taste great and nothing bad for you in them!You can get either at any larger Wal-Mart or health food store. I've also done a slim fast bewteen soccer games, but not BB, but I do almost always have one driving home afterwards. At the half I go with whatever they give us to drink... water or gatorade unless I feel like I'm really dragging and I'll ask for a diet coke at the half or between multiple games. I can handle that much caffeine. Like, Juulie, if I have a double header and think I need one I often grab a candy bar for a quick pick me up. I should have done that last night.
Also, are you sleeping well after games or replaying every call in your head all night long. The more you work the less you'll do the latter, unless you really blow something big ---then you'll replay it over and over if you are like me. Good luck, Tell us what works for you.

I've gotten to be a big fan of vitamin water. The revive or energy flavors work well. I drink a 32 ouncer of one or the other on the way to every game. It fills me up enough to get through the night and increases my energy. Availability is a problem though. I don't see it too many places. In fact I used to drink a ton of it in Kansas City and I was in Iowa for 2 years before I found it here.