Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I'm a Sports Mom


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I got an email a couple weeks ago asking if I was a Sports Mom. A Sports Mom - me? And then I thought about it. I've been hauling kids to soccer for over almost ten years, we went to Tae Kwon Do regularly twice a week for several years, right now I've got a son playing (well - we'll use that term loosely here) baseball, and a ten year old daughter who wants to try out every sport there is and is currently playing soccer and training for a 5K. So yeah, I responded, I guess indeed I am a Sports Mom. How 'bout that!


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So by being a Sports Mom, I had the wonderful opportunity this past week to join in on a conference call with Gatorade along with Mia Hamm's mother, Stephanie Hamm.

One of the questions that I asked Stephanie during the call was a bit of what I mentioned above. I have this daughter of mine who wants to play everything - soccer, volleyball, basketball, running and has just recently mentioned softball as well. Because Stephanie mentioned that Mia was the same way as a young girl, I wanted to know what advice she had for reining it in. Do I eventually tell her to pick or does it all fall into place at some point??

Stephanie, a mother who raised six active children (and is herself the oldest of 11) said that she felt by trying more sports and participating in more things - these children become more well rounded and are able to make a better more informed decision on what they'd like to focus on later in life. She personally felt that this was better than one child playing one sport from a very young age and not having the opportunity to try any others.

I like that.

I also highlighted this quote in my scribbles on how she encouraged her children through the tougher spots:

"I know what you're doing, it's hard - but we're going to get through this together."

I love that.
It's not easy being a kid these days, and I think it's important to remind our kids that we know it's hard and we are here for them. Always.


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During this call, we also had the chance to learn more about Gatorade and ask questions. We asked a lot of questions and I'd like to share just a bit of what I learned. But first - did you know that Gatorade has a site for the Sports Mom? I know, right? Me either! But they do - and I love this article about the protein packed breakfast....it comes just in time for when Wendy and I have to run our 5K. Better fuel = better output!

I scribbled pages and pages of notes during the call, but what I was most anxious to relate to my family when they got home that afternoon from school and work was the importance of electrolytes, specifically sodium before, during and after exercise. While we are very heavy water drinkers in this house, I had completely overlooked the importance of electrolytes like sodium, potassium and carbs when it comes to exercise.

They're important!

Gatorade shared the results of extensive studies between those who had just drank water before racing/competing...and those who had the proper carbs and electrolytes by way of Gatorade. The results were conistant straight across the board. Better fuel = better output.

I still believe in the importance of water, but I now know that the competitor and athlete need more.

A few other items that were brought up and shared before I wrap this up....

Several people asked if Gatorade would consider making a line without artificial dyes, and they responded that they already do. Their G Series Natural line is available exclusively at Whole Foods in select markets.

Another question that came up (let me flip my notes to the right page.....) was would they consider making their drinks without high fructose corn syrup, to which they responded that they have been making them without since the beginning of 2010.

I learned a lot.

As part of sharing what I learned, I also have the honor of being able to share with you a chance to win a $100 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods!

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  5. The official sweepstakes dates: 6/1/11 - 6/30/11

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by email.

You'll have 72 hours to respond to that email, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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32 comments:

  1. Hydration is very important for kids.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. tweet:

    http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/75991474935832576

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just checked out Gatorade's site for moms. Cool! Hydration is a big issue, especially when games are outdoors when it's hot! We really push the kids to drink a lot of water and Gatorade.
    lesleymitchell52@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hydration is so important. I'll have to get some Gatorade for the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  5. we keep Gatorade stocked in the pantry.. not only for sports but for our scout campouts in summer. Great way to keep the hydrated along with water while out hiking on the trails.
    karenmed409 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/77582409478057984

    ReplyDelete
  7. as a hockey mom I know the importance of fuel via Gatorade...while some kids drink other energy drinks we find that gatorade is the single most important thing Hayden can drink during the game...

    great information and I love the site link. Thanks Sharyn!

    ReplyDelete
  8. My daughter's take volleyball and gatorade is always key in keeping them more hydrated compared to other sports drink
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/78229376235347968
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stay hydrated is the first priority for sports.

    ReplyDelete
  11. http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/78307731072757760

    ReplyDelete
  12. I make sure my childre stay hydrated when they are outside playing sports

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  13. http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/79573616194363394

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  14. To keep hydrated we take Gatorade wherever we go.
    MCantu1019 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I make sure they eat enough veggies, fruit and Keep them hydrated
    merleandtina@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. When my kids were little and involved in sports, we would always have plenty of Gatorade around. Thanks for the giveaway.
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tweet.
    http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/81762285776932864
    marcia.goss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Staying well hydrated is definitely key. We always have a lot of Gatorade around. It's not only good for sports but also for other outdoor activities, such as doing yard work in hot weather.

    rogsdock[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Water is the best Gatorade is next

    ReplyDelete
  20. We had a tragic incident at our high school in town a few years ago involving dehydration-- it is so important! Thanks gatorade for keeping our kids safe.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN HYDRATION- IT'S WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING LIKE THE ENERGIZER BATTERY LOL kytah00@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. 2ND ENTRY TWEET @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/84793238829010944 kytah00@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am glad to hear that they are not making their drinks with HFCS now! Thanks for the giveaway!!
    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/85375019223498752

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I did not see a prompt of any kind really..hmm...well let me just say that I am thrilled to learn that Gatorade is HFCS free! I did not know this and think its GREAT! I also love Gatorade myself. I don't have kids, but do drink Gatorade when I am sick and need to stay hydrated or if I get stupid thirsty!!!
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/85750886466457600
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. having two active kids, i've always been one to push water, water, water, but this post of yours has enlightened me.

    while we've only been known to buy gatorade during times when the kids have had the stomach flu or throat surgery, i'm now going to make it a staple in my grocery cart.

    YAY Gatorade for ditching the HFCS!

    thanks for the chance at an awesome giveaway! hope we win it! :)

    (blogger won't let me leave this comment with my bloggerID. grrrrrrrr.)

    tania willis
    taniawillis @ columbus dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. i like powdered g2 for hiking

    kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/kolpin4680/status/86284395182424065

    ReplyDelete
  30. Bananas and fig newtons give them fuel and potassium.

    hlee99 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Chocolate milk gives them fuel.

    eugeniewu at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete