1st November means that there is only 154 days until the start of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Soon the New Zealand Olympic Committee will start naming athletes who are going to represent our country at the games and the new campaign “Earn The Fern” will be everywhere. Now I know for some sports the Commonwealth Games is not their pinnacle event, but for weightlifting it kind of is. With majority of the drug cheating nations not being part of the Commonwealth, this gives New Zealand weightlifters a chance to compete more fairly on the international stage. Recently in the sport of weightlifting we have had 9 countries banned due to their volume of positive tests over the last few Olympic Games.
It’s a shame that so many people feel the need to dope or are pressured in to the situation but some countries just place more emphasis on winning at any means necessary even risking the athlete’s health.
Im proud of New Zealand’s great reputation of being drug free while still achieving internationally. We have a great relationship with Drug Free Sport NZ and their resources are more than helpful. I would highly recommend that sport clubs, coaches and sport managers take the opportunity to expose especially young athletes to the organisation. The earlier athletes learn about their responsibility the better I say.
Back to the Commonwealth Games, my build-up is going well. I’m looking forward to the team being named and then having the opportunity to go to training camps. When it’s official it always makes training and focus that little bit easier. Currently I’m not too sure when my next competition will be but my goal is to continue keeping a lighter bodyweight-which we all know will be difficult with my love for food and the Christmas season approaching -difficult but not impossible! Which reminds me, going into November and December it is easy to lose track of food, especially as it starts to get busier at work, time becomes scarce and the stress levels increase…So here are a handful of tips to help you out:
- Don’t skip breakfast
- Watch your portions
- Eat Lots of fruit and Vegetables
- Be selective and limit your binging
- Stay Active
For those of you that know me, I think during the next two months I’m going to have to substitute my glorious naps for being slightly more active and out in the sunshine…..I’ll keep my naps for rainy days or days of pure exhaustion. Weightlifting is an indoor sport so I miss out on a lot of sunshine and Vitamin D.
Well that’s all from me this month! Have a great November and I look forward to updating you from Los Angeles where I will be training and supporting athletes competing at the World Championships. ( I won’t be competing for certain reasons).
