Great post! I think it's very important to let people know about athletes who are healthy and the choices they make on rather extra muscle mass than skinny bones.
Many athletes find it very difficult to understand that other athletes who perform really well with eating disorder. And they think that the athlete is healthy.

Sunn Jenteidrett (healthy womens sport) in Norway is a project focusing on how to be a healthy athlete and the choices you can make. Both Olympic gold medalists Marit Bjørgen and Tora Berger are ambassadors for them.

Friday, February 19, 2010 at 2:59am EST

This is an excellent post. Arguably the biggest problem that female athletes must confront is an image of the ideal "feminine" physique which detracts from being a great athlete, and increases risk of injury.

We see the effects of this in not only clinical eating disorders but aversion to intense strength-training, brought on by fears of looking too bulky, too "manly"--a reaction that isn't at all uncommon, sometimes coming from even the most talented female athletes. What is more, still there are strength and conditioning coaches who cater to this nonsense.

Friday, February 19, 2010 at 9:46am EST

Thanks! I'll have to look into Sunn Jenteidrett - it sounds great. Oh yes, the strength training fears. I hear it all the time from athletes and non-athletes alike. The strong, graceful bodies of female athletes like Venus Williams were only built with hours of strength and conditioning!

Friday, February 19, 2010 at 9:30pm EST

Great post! It makes perfect sense. I think the problem is that so many automatically equate weight gain with fat when it's not true. Building lean muscle results in healthy weight gain that is beneficial for performance and overall well being.

Monday, February 22, 2010 at 4:32am EST