Day 40 - Sports Nutrition Series: What Are Your Intentions?

True Athletes Have Deep & Profound Intentions

Before you can embark on a renewed athletic journey with your body you have to pin point what exactly you want and why. This is vital because it takes us away from merely using our body to actually awaking to the deeper aspects of athleticism; profound motivation for achieving something deep and significant with the union of body and mind.

Look over the following categories and see which one you fit into the most. Take note of the suggested rooted intentions at the end of each category to shift your intention from one that could lead you to heartache, to unparalleled success:

FUNCTIONAL

• You have a profession that requires endurance and strength like a policeman, firefighter or hard laborer.
• You want to be able to participate in an active lifestyle with friends and family.
• You have a desire to use exercise and movement as a way to be healthier, so you can do everyday tasks with ease and grace.

Caution:  If you are doing this for someone or something outside of yourself than you are on the wrong track. True functional athleticism is not about getting the job done. Rather, it is about doing the job because you enjoy every moment of it. You must recognize that true function comes from moving for yourself.

Suggested rooted intention: I intend to enjoy being capable, strong and useful in this body.

AESTHETICS

• You want to feel more confident in how you look.
• You have a specific type of body in mind that you desire to achieve.
• You want to lose weight.
• You want to gain muscle.
• You want to get 'bikini-body' ready.
• You would love to appear attractive to others and get more sexual attention.

Caution:  The most common pitfall here is to have a number (in terms of body fat percentage, or pounds) or specific body type in mind. Attractiveness and confidence is not derived from the size of your pants or the width of your biceps. Beauty comes from health and vibrancy so real and unadulterated that any one can see it seeping out of your pores. Sports nutrition and your exercise routine is just one minute part of that journey.

Suggested rooted intention: I intend to love and appreciate my body.

COMPETITION

• You are involved in a professional sport that requires tip-top athleticism.
• You want to look better or perform better than your peers or team mates. 
• You want to be better able to support and perform for your teammates. 

Caution: Playing the comparison game is the downfall of every athlete. Comparing is the process of degrading our own one-of-a-kind uniqueness for another's. Although in the sports arena we value the process of measurement and scoring this is really the ultimate illusion. Those that are the most successful athletes do not gauge themselves by trophies, awards or accolades but by how much they enjoy the process of playful interaction. It is not the opponent, score or opposite team that should drive you - it is the experience of expanding your skill that should.

Suggested rooted intention: I intend to invest in my unique skills and talents.

SPIRITUAL

• You are in need of purpose. 
• You feel lost.
• You want to achieve the highest potential possible with your body.
• You believe that one of the reasons why you exist is to progress and evolve.

Caution: Perfection can be instigated from a deep desire to have spiritual purpose in the body. We may subconsciously want to mimic the divine by attempting to achieve a flawless and ideal god-like body and performance. We may project our feelings of lack and little purpose onto the body. True spiritual athleticism comes when we view honor all experiences, feelings and movements from the body.

Suggested rooted intention: I intend to be present for all the sensations of my body.

HOBBY

• You have always wanted to compete or strive for some excitement.
• You are bored!
• You have always wanted to participate in sports or activities but have yet to figure out how. 
• You want to train for a recreational, temporary sports function like a marathon.

Caution: Athleticism can become your crutch for hiding growth and action in other areas of your life. What may be a pursuit for a hobby is really the desire for a distraction from the inhibition, fear and doubt that you may be experiencing in your life.

Suggested rooted intention: I intend on following through on my desires and dreams.

As you read through this Sports Nutrition series, always keep in mind your original intention. Bring it with you when you eat, sleep and train. This is a foundation for a penetrating success that will move into all areas of your life.

Nat