Dawn was on the Andy Furman Supertalk 96.5FM radio show on Friday, June 8th. She discussed the 5 Dangerous Secrets About Anabolic Steroids along with other sports nutrition tips.

Click here to listen to Dawn's Podcast!

5 Dangerous Secrets About Anabolic Steroids
by Dawn Weatherwax RD, CSSD, LD, ATC, CSCS

The dangers of steroid use go far beyond the physical effects.  I’ve uncovered the following list of secrets through anecdotal research about anabolic steroids.  Please share them with your team.

Secret #1 – Steroids Mess With Your Mind
Steroids change the way you behave... the way your mind works.  The psychological impact of steroid use can be catastrophic.  Suicidal thoughts, depression, paranoia, road rage, mood swings, hallucinations, and panic attacks are just a few of the "joyful" things that you may add to your life with steroids. 

Secret #2 – Steroids Steal the Joy of Victory
Most athletes keep their steroid use a secret. Secrets have a way of eating away at you from the inside. Secrets tend to come back to you at the worst times. When your teammates are celebrating a hard won victory, your little secret will jump to the forefront of your mind. You will know that your performance really wasn't you. Your conscience will remind you that you cheated and that you are not worthy of being celebrated. 

Secret #3 - It’s a Chemical – NOT Nutrition
There is a big difference between what you eat for performance (sports nutrition) and taking steroids. It is a chemical. It is not natural. You don’t really know how your body will respond (either good or bad). It is a HUGE risk. Don't take it.

Secret #4 -  A Life of Dependence – Steroid Addiction?
Once you have used steroids to achieve a certain level of performance, why would you knowingly lower that level of performance? The answer is that you won't. Which means that you will keep taking the steroids even after the competition is over. Are steroids addictive? I don’t know the scientific answer to that, but I can tell you that it is very difficult to let go of the performance aspects that steroids deliver. Athletes can clearly become dependent on them.

Approximately 1.9% of young adults (ages 19–28) surveyed in 2005 reported lifetime use of steroids, while 4.0% of high school students, grades 9-12, also reported long-term use. However, this number is down from 6.1% of high school students in 2003.

Secret #5 – Everybody is Doing It - NOT TRUE!
Just because you hear a lot of press about athletes shooting up steroids, that doesn’t mean that everyone is doing it. Secrets have a way of exposing themselves and when that day comes, you don't want to find out that you were the one doing steroids when most were not. 

Results from the 2006 Monitoring the Future Study, which surveys students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, show that 1.6% of eighth graders, 1.8% of tenth graders, and 2.7% of twelfth graders reported using steroids at least once in their lifetimes.

Bonus Secret – Leaders Set the Example
Every member of a team sets an example for the rest of the team.  If you take steroids, then you will encourage members of your team to do the same. What if your teammate experiences suicidal thoughts after you introduced him/her to steroids? What if he or she acts on those thoughts? Who is responsible for the outcome?  Leaders set examples. Why not talk to your teammates about steroid use. Warn them. Protect them Show them a different path. Be the leader and lead by example.

For information, visit www.sn2g.com

Love Starts in the Kitchen!™
By: Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP, CMH
Macy's Regional Culinary Professional, Syndicated Columnist Community Press, and Certified Modern Herbalist
www.Abouteating.com

WHITEFISH WITH GREEK FLAVORS

I like to use the Feta cheese with basil and sun dried tomatoes from Krogers for this recipe. It's so well seasoned and elevates a plain fish dish into something really tasty. 

• 4 white fish filets (Grouper can be used as well)
• 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 Italian tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled basil and tomato flavored Feta cheese
• Sprinkle both sides of filets with seasoning

Film bottom of pan with olive oil. Place over medium heat and ad fish, cook about 3-4 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Turn fish over and top with spinach, tomato and cheese. Return to skillet to heat; cover and cook 3 minutes or so until spinach is hot and fish flakes easily. Serves 4.

**Note: I like to add more Feta, but if you’re watching your fat, use amount stated above.

Honey, Almond & Peach Sundaes
Great for the kids!

Put 1/2 cup vanilla low fat frozen yogurt into 4 dessert dishes. Put a couple slices of fresh, or frozen & thawed, peaches on top. Drizzle with a bit of honey and some sliced toasted almonds.

Testimonial

"Hello, my name is Scott Maze. I recently completed my fourth and final season as a member of the University of Cincinnati track and field team. During my career I competed in the 110 meter high hurdles."

"As I entered my senior year this past fall of 2006 I struggled because I had gained thirteen pounds over the summer. When practice started I knew I was not going to be able to reach my personal and team goals if I was not able to lose weight. By the time March came around I had lost 8 pounds, but I was still not performing at the level that I should have been. I was very fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet with Dawn Weatherwax and benefit from her knowledge."

"The help of Dawn and her staff enabled me to perform at my best.  My senior season was a great success. I actually ran a personal record time my very first meet of the season. This is something that I could not have done with out Dawn. I continued to improve and run well through out the rest of the season. During which I was even able to win the Oliver Nikoloff Invitational when I ran a time that tied my personal best. Without the help of Dawn I am certain that my track career would have ended in disappointment. However, because of Dawn's willingness to help me succeed I went out at the top of my game."

Scott M. Maze
Track and Field Athlete

Current News

Speaking Engagements
Dawn Weatherwax wrote an article for the Training and Conditioning Journal in May '07 on the "Importance of Understanding Sweat Rate." This was sponsored by Gatorade.

Dawn Weatherwax Spoke at Club Industry in Orlando, Florida on June 6th and 7th. She spoke on Making Nutrition a Profitable Revenue and Different Nutritional Plans for Different Clients.

Dawn Weatherwax spoke at Middletown Regional Hospital's Symposium in Mason, Ohio on June 16th. Her topic covered "Sodium, Protein and Caffeine on Performance." This was sponsored By Gatorade.

Dawn Weatherwax spoke at Elder High School on Fueling for the Competitive Edge. She also designed an on site sports nutrition group program currently being administered.

Dawn Weatherwax will be going to Elizabetown, KY on July 20th for a one day seminar. SN2G will analyze the athlete's intake, review the results and implement changes. We will also be conducting body composition measurements to make the athlete aware of what fuel mixture they need to perform their best. SN2g will also work with the Coaches and design actual pre and post menus for games to be implemented during the season.