7th  Annual  Conference  Preview        

Page  3  Student  Spotlight:  A  Look  Back  at  my  Conference  Experience  

Page  4  Conference  Tips  and  Student  Co-­‐Chair  Contact  Information    

Student Newsletter

Page  2  

Welcome!      

Issue  2,  Spring  2015  

Contents  CPSDA  Student  Members:  

With  the  7th  CPSDA  Annual  Conference  right  around  the  corner,  we  are  excited  to  present  you  with  the  spring  edition  of  the  student  newsletter.    In  an  effort  to  help  you  prepare  for  conference,  we  have  packed  this  edition  of  the  newsletter  with  material  certain  to  get  you  excited  about  this  year’s  meeting!  

This  edition  starts  off  with  a  quick  preview  of  one  of  the  presentations  being  given  at  the  conference  and  a  run-­‐down  of  the  week’s  events,  both  provided  by  two  of  sports  nutrition’s  best!  The  issue  wraps  up  with  insights  from  attending  last  year’s  conference  in  Scottsdale  and  some  last  minute  advice  to  guide  your  conference  experience!  

Fuel  On!  

Beth  Miller  and  Kelsey  Bencze,    Student  Committee  Co-­‐Chairs    

 

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CPSDA  Student  Newsletter   Spring  2015  

The  impact  of  good  nutrition  on  athletic  performance  is  well  recognized.    However,  the  differences  among  sports’  physical  nature,  energy  systems  being  used,  practice  schedule  and  style,  competition  schedule,  and  weight  training  makes  each  sport  unique  in  terms  of  the  fueling  practices  to  maximize  performance.    Gymnastics  is  very  different  from  other  sports  in  each  of  the  above  aspects.    

“Performance  Nutrition  for  Gymnasts,”  not  only  covers  the  basic  diet  principles  for  overall  health,  but  also  explains  exactly  how  gymnastics  is  unique  from  other  sports,  and  what  nutritional  considerations  and  fueling  practices  should  be  incorporated  to  maximize  energy,  speed  up  the  recovery  process,  reduce  inflammation,  and  optimize  hydration.    While  understanding  the  science  and  physiology  behind  gymnastics-­‐specific  nutrition  is  important,  “Performance  Nutrition  for  Gymnasts”  translates  the  scientific  information  into  food  terms,  making  recommendations  easy-­‐to-­‐follow  and  allowing  the  individual  to  create  a  personalized  plan  that  helps  to  maximize  performance.      

7th  Annual  Conference  Preview    

Jana  Heitmeyer,  M.Ed,  RD,  CSSD,  LD,  CSCS,  SCCC  gives  us  a  glimpse  into  her  presentation,  Nutrition  Strategies  to  Optimize  Gymnastics  Performance.  Just  one  of  many  great  presentations  set  for  this  year’s  conference!  

 

 

Scott  Sehnert,  MS,  RD,  CSCS,  CSSD,  CPSDA  Board  Member  and  Sports  Dietitian  at  Auburn  University  provides  a  quick  overview  of  the  upcoming  festivities  at  this  year’s  conference.  

The  7th  CPSDA  Annual  Conference  is  bound  to  be  an  experience  you  won’t  forget.  We  have  planned  multiple  opportunities  for  networking,  specifically  designed  for  the  student  and  early  career  dietitian  members.    To  kick  things  off,  we  have  our  EAS  Welcome  Party  on  the  Grand  Ballroom  Patio  the  night  before  the  first  day  of  sessions.    Our  luncheons,  provided  by  select  sponsors,  are  a  great  way  to  meet  the  country’s  top  sports  dietitians.    The  rest  of  the  week  presents  numerous  opportunities  to  communicate,  collaborate  and  connect.    

During  these  opportunities,  you  should  take  the  initiative  to  introduce  yourself  to  professional,  collegiate,  military,  private  practice  dietitians,  or  faculty  from  whom  you’d  like  to  learn.    Keep  these  tips  in  mind:    

• Ask  for  a  business  card  and  take  the  time  to  make  notes  of  your  conversation  -­‐-­‐  maybe  write  them  on  the  back  of  the  card.    That  way,  when  you  circle  back  with  them  in  the  near  future  you  have  something  to  remind  them  of  the  conversation.  

• Plan  to  take  some  notes!    Don’t  worry  about  your  Snapchat  or  Instagram  while  you  are  in  session.    Focus  in  on  the  presenter  and  what  they  have  to  say.    Jot  down  a  question  you  have  during  the  session  and  don’t  be  afraid  to  ask  it  afterwards.      

• Meet  with  our  sponsors  and  learn  about  their  products.  CPSDA  doesn’t  sponsor  with  just  anyone,  so  gaining  a  better  understanding  of  the  products  we  support  (and  who  support  us)  is  yet  one  more  great  learning  opportunity.  

• Take  the  time  to  fill  out  the  evaluations  on  each  presenter  and  the  conference  itself.    We  improve  each  year  because  people  take  the  time  to  fill  this  out  with  constructive  feedback.  

 

 

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CPSDA  Student  Newsletter   Spring  2015  

Student  Spotlight:  The  Conference  Experience    

CPSDA  Student  Member,  Morgan  Clift,  highlights  her  experience  as  a  first  time  attendee  at  last  year’s  CPSDA  Conference  in  Scottsdale,  Arizona.  Morgan  is  currently  in  her  2nd  year  as  a  Sports  Nutrition  Masters  Student  at  Florida  State  University.  

 As  a  first-­‐time  student  attendee  to  the  CPSDA  conference  last  May,  I  knew  attending  the  student  session  was  a  must.  It  was  titled  “Student  Session  –  Make  Common  Sense  Common  Practice.”    Mary  Ellen  Bingham  was  the  moderator  of  the  session  and  the  rest  of  the  panel  included  three  full  time  sports  dietitians.  They  each  took  the  time  to  tell  us  their  story  and  how  they  got  to  where  they  are  today.  The  rest  of  the  time  was  a  Q&A  session  so  students  could  voice  their  questions  and  concerns.  The  panel  was  full  of  great  advice  and  these  are  just  a  few  of  the  points  I  found  most  useful  and  took  away  from  the  session:      

1. The  first  lesson  was  that  getting  involved  in  sports  nutrition  in  any  way  possible  is  crucial  in  order  to  acquire  experience,  develop  practical  skills  and  network  with  other  professionals.  It  could  be  volunteering  for  a  professional  or  collegiate  program,  providing  nutrition  talks  for  high  school  athletes,  becoming  involved  in  student  organizations  on  campus  or  volunteering  at  sports  camps.  Spending  time  getting  to  know  athletes  and  what  their  sport  is  about  is  crucial  in  order  to  truly  understand  their  nutritional  needs.  Even  if  it  isn’t  directly  related  to  the  job  you  envision  pursuing,  these  experiences  may  provide  you  with  practical  skills  you  can  use  in  your  future  career.  

 2. The  second  notable  part  from  the  session  was  getting  to  hear  how  each  dietitian  on  the  panel  took  a  

different  path  to  get  where  they  are  today.  It  isn’t  an  easy  or  quick  process  to  land  a  job  as  a  program  director  or  assistant  in  this  field.  It  takes  years  of  experience,  dedication  and  handling  challenges  to  reach  that  point.  As  students,  it  may  seem  like  we  will  never  reach  the  destination  we  are  aiming  for  and  our  paths  may  take  us  to  places  we  never  expected.  Instead  of  focusing  so  much  energy  on  how  long  it  will  take  to  reach  the  goal,  focus  on  the  experiences  and  skills  you  are  gaining  to  better  yourself  on  the  way  there.      

 3. And  lastly,  my  favorite  piece  of  advice  from  the  session  was  “don’t  be  too  big  to  do  the  small  things.”  

Putting  together  travel  bags,  moving  protein  shakes,  making  PB&Js,  mixing  shakes  and  stocking  fridges  day  after  day  may  seem  like  pointless  tasks  to  some,  but  those  tasks  are  all  part  of  the  bigger  picture.  The  main  goal  of  this  profession  is  to  optimize  the  performance  and  health  of  athletes.  Success  isn’t  possible  without  the  day-­‐to-­‐day  operations  of  the  nutrition  department.  Have  a  great  attitude  and  take  pride  in  those  tasks.  

 Overall,  the  student  session  was  very  informative  and  I  highly  encourage  all  students  attending  the  conference,  especially  those  who  are  new  to  CPSDA,  to  sit  in  on  the  student  session.  Learning  from  current  sports  dietitians  in  the  field  is  one  of  the  best  ways  to  become  a  more  confident  and  competent  nutrition  professional.  Happy  fueling!    

 

 

 

• Network,  Network,  Network  ...  you’ll  get  out  of  the  conference  what  you  put  into  it.  Make  an  effort  to  chat  with  professional  members  and  connect  with  fellow  peers    

• Take  notes  and  ask  questions!  Bring  a  note  pad,  laptop,  or  tablet  to  all  presentations  and  sessions.  Make  note  of  topics  you’re  interested  in  and  things  you  don’t  understand.  This  can  serve  as  a  good  reference  for  circling  back  on  topics  you  want  to  further  research  or  study.  

• Appropriate  Attire  … pack  accordingly.  Business  casual  is  a  great  choice  for  the  day  sessions  while  Tuesday  night’s  award  banquet  is  dress  to  impress!  Remember,  you  will  be  among  potential  future  employers,  so  keep  it  professional.  

• HAVE  FUN!  The  conference  is  a  fun  learning  environment  packed  full  of  passionate,  knowledge  hungry  dietitians,  students  and  professionals.  Enjoy  it!  

 

Tips  for  the  7th  Annual  CPSDA  Conference  

CPSDA  Student  Co-­‐Chairs:  Beth  Miller:  millerbeth7@gmail.com  

Kelsey  Bencze:  kelsey.bencze@gmail.com  

CPSDA  Newsletter   Spring  2015  

It’s  shaping  up  to  be  a  beautiful  week  in  Point  Clear,  so  don’t  forget  to  take  advantage  of  the  hotels  outdoor  pool  and  nearby  beach  during  downtime!