Kelsey Plum, a prominent figure in the WNBA, demonstrates unwavering commitment to her physical and mental well-being. Her journey, marked by accolades such as WNBA All-Star Game MVP and Olympic gold medals, reflects continuous evolution in her training and dietary habits. This article delves into the various facets of Kelsey Plum's diet and training regimen, highlighting the strategies she employs to maintain peak performance.
Evolving Training Methods
Plum's training is constantly evolving. After dealing with a torn Achilles tendon in 2020 swimming has now become an integral part of her work to improve both conditioning and recovery. "I'm just doing a lot more non-impact training," says the baller.
Embracing Low-Impact Cardio
To maintain her cardiovascular fitness while minimizing stress on her body, Kelsey incorporates low-impact exercises into her routine. “A legit swimming workout is as hard as any workout that you’ll do. Those moments definitely improve my cardiovascular system in the off-season and I’ve also just started boxing. I really enjoy that, and I think the cardio element is there in boxing as well. And then I’m really big into Pilates and yoga and that’s not just off-season."
The Importance of Mobility and Agility
"In basketball, there's a lot of different elements that you need," explains the professional point guard. "You need strength, you need speed, but you need mobility. You need to be able to change direction and so working on those things has helped me to become a better athlete.” To enhance her agility on the court, deceleration has become an essential piece of the puzzle, allowing her to swiftly change pace while on the court. Plum shares that she undertakes box jumps to this end, practicing jumping down from the box and onto the floor in order to developer her control.
Prioritizing Recovery
Recognizing the significance of recovery, Kelsey Plum has placed even more focus on recovery in recent years through tools such as meditation. All of these elements help to light a fire in her, for when she needs to perform at her best. “When I think about being motivated or passionate about things, I really just try to stay present,” says Plum.
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Nutritional Strategies for Peak Performance
Kelsey Plum acknowledges the importance of nutrition at the pro level, highlighting the need to fuel the body effectively for optimal performance and recovery. She revealed to 2adays that she limits her sugar intake. “I changed my diet significantly from when I entered college. I went from eating everything to being a pescatarian. I would advise young players to watch their sugar intake, especially refined sugars. It has a huge negative impact on your body. Also, I would suggest eating for recovery after hard practices.
Limiting Sugar Intake
Kelsey emphasizes the detrimental effects of refined sugars on the body, particularly for athletes. She advises young players to be mindful of their sugar consumption, highlighting its negative impact on performance and overall health.
Eating for Recovery
Recognizing the importance of post-workout nutrition, Kelsey prioritizes eating for recovery after hard practices. This involves consuming nutrient-rich foods that aid in muscle repair and glycogen replenishment.
Embracing Protein-Packed Snacks
Plum told Newsweek that she incorporates the dip in both her regular playing season and her off-season. “During the season, I need something quick and reliable between practices, travel, and games, and Buffy fits right in,” she said. “In the off-season, I’m focused on recovery and training, and it’s a great way to get extra protein since it’s so versatile-I’ll have it with veggies, crackers, or even just straight up with a spoon.”
Mental Fortitude and Motivation
Beyond the physical aspects of training and nutrition, Kelsey Plum underscores the importance of mental fortitude and maintaining a positive mindset.
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Staying Present and Mindful
To stay motivated and passionate, Kelsey focuses on staying present in the moment. This involves cultivating mindfulness and appreciating the journey, rather than solely fixating on the outcome.
Visualization Techniques
Before every game, Kelsey Plum spends 5 to 10 minutes visualizing how she wants to show up on the court. And usually, that’s with a huge grin-which is why you’ll often catch her cheesing during intense moments in the action. “Energy is infectious,” she tells Women's Health. “You can’t always control if you make shots, but you definitely can control your energy.”
Positive Self-Talk
A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Kelsey consistently uses positive self-talk, like “You’re doing great” and “You belong here”-and she extends that to her teammates too. “I try to make sure I’m encouraging others the way I would want to be encouraged,” she says.
The Broader Context: Nutrition and Training in Professional Sports
Kelsey Plum's dedication to her diet and training regimen reflects a broader trend in professional sports, where athletes are increasingly recognizing the importance of these factors in achieving peak performance and longevity.
The Role of Sports Nutritionists
Many professional sports teams and organizations employ sports nutritionists who work closely with athletes to develop personalized nutrition plans. These plans take into account the athlete's individual needs, training schedule, and performance goals. Mourier is a key cog in Impact's program. Mourier has his own trail of success stories. dozens of players, including Haliburton and Green.
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Overcoming Barriers to Optimal Nutrition
Despite the growing awareness of the importance of nutrition, some athletes still face barriers to accessing optimal nutrition resources. Mourier said that some teams see nutrition as a "check-box," meaning that if they have at least one nutritionist on the roster, they're not really receiving any support at all.
The Importance of Good Habits
Good habits, however, can be inconvenient and awkward. "Now, I'm just trying to get you to the NBA and keep you there. don't care whether you win or lose games right now.