Learning Experience, don't forget to eat

Had a learning experience at a showcase this weekend. I had about 14 dances lined up. Most of them went pretty well but two of them were train wrecks. They were routines I had practiced many times but I had a sudden brain freeze. Here's why: I think I didn't enough before and during the showcase and my tank ran dry. During the wait for my last couple of dances I had a delicious banana muffin and some juice, and the last two were fine.

Don't forget to keep some fuel in the tank.

Anchovynist said:

Had a learning experience at a showcase this weekend. I had about 14 dances lined up. Most of them went pretty well but two of them were train wrecks. They were routines I had practiced many times but I had a sudden brain freeze. Here's why: I think I didn't enough before and during the showcase and my tank ran dry. During the wait for my last couple of dances I had a delicious banana muffin and some juice, and the last two were fine.

Don't forget to keep some fuel in the tank.

Click to expand...

Yeah, every comp I go to, the lesson I need to keep relearing: coffee is not a food group. You cannot dance on coffee alone.

or energy drinks... they also are not a food group... learned that one the hard way too.. dancing on an empty tank or no sleep is a recipe for disaster!!!

True!

What are some of the favorite "grab and go" snacks that people enjoy while at a comp to refuel? It can be hard to find something healthy and quick at the venue but are there some tried and true pack ahead items?

instant oatmeal
Snack size containers of peanut butter and apples

Slice of pizza for breakfast is also good!!

I always pack some fruit and vegie sticks - just carrot, apple and whatever else that doesn't make a mess, some raw nuts, a packet of lollies for a quick sugar fix and lately I have taken to buying protein bars - the ones that body builders use. They seem to give you a good burst of energy when you need it. mummsie

I am not a competitive dancer, just a social dancer. But since we drive about an hour to dance, I want to make sure I can dance the whole dance time. I always try to eat well before any exercise, dancing, biking, hiking etc.. and carry some Marathon/snickers energy bars, in case my system does process the food effectively and I run out of gas.

I always keep a granola bar in my purse for emergencies such as these and too many times it has saved me

My pre-comp meal is steak and potatoes or, if it's breakfast, steak and eggs and home fries.

Honestly, carb loading in itself doesn't do it for me on the day of a comp. I need protein or I run out of steam in the first minute of the stress of dancing. I also bring Power Bars and nuts with me just in case, as well as Gatorade and, for that final round, a half can of Red Bull.

snickers, granola bars, protein bars, protein powders, fruit (quick sugar), PBJ samdiwches, though only eat half or go light on PB, or quickly feels heavy.

And lies, coffee is too a food group!

How to put this delicately....
Let's face it. Dance costumes are often not bathroom-friendly, nor is the nearest restroom always right nearby. I find myself snacking carefully throughout the day, and feeling like I'm running on fumes for those final rounds. But which is worse -- being hungry/thirsty, or suddenly having to "go" at a really inopportune moment? :shock: I heard somewhere that lack of hydration leads to muscle cramps, and I have definitely noticed that happening at comps in my legs and feet; whereas it doesn't happen to me during lessons/practice where I drink liquids freely.

What to do?

I have never had to use the bathroom while i am on the floor... I think that my system must just temporarily shut down bc it knows that I will not get to use the bathroom. I usually drink fluids and eat throughout the day and then force myself to use the bathroom right before I put my costume on and then after that, I honestly think my bladder just turns off except in the case of *dire* emergencies...

as for foods, i usually carbo load for the week leading up to the comp. Day of comp, I try to have a full, healthy breakfast... like eggs, or a bagel with lots of toppings. Better yet, egg and cheese bagel During the comp, if I am too nervous to sit down and have a full meal for lunch, I will eat luna bars and cliff bars, bananas, apples, vitamin water, and chocolate!!! Then when the comp is over (as an open dancer, my session is in the evening) I am sooo hungry, I usually rush for the nearest chinese food, pizza, hamburger, or whatever I can find!!!

mad123 said:

What are some of the favorite "grab and go" snacks that people enjoy while at a comp to refuel?

Click to expand...

http:// www. thenibble.com/REVIEWS/main/chocolate/images/almond-37-270.jpg

has come with me to nearly every comp. seriously wonderful food.

when it comes to dance-day, whether comps or showcases, i'm not a big eater. day before... yes. after comping... YES.

no surprise i'm a big fan of live green smoothies to hydrate when it comes to comping & intense lessoning (vaguely remembering this, now). i add coconut oil for energy (it's a medium-chain fatty acid, used similarly to carbs as directly usable energy). of course... it makes you pee. but... meh... it sucks to be dehydrated so, i'll deal with the gown-in-bathroom-stall fiasco in order to be hydrated.