Sunday, October 18, 2009

amazing experience

IMG_5112Hello!!  The SCAN conference at the Olympic Training Center was such a wonderful and eye-opening experience for me. 

It was so neat to get to meet all the wonderful dietitians and sport dietitians there and see what everyone is doing to advance the profession.  I actually felt pretty inadequate in the experience department to tell you the truth, but it was so wonderful talking with different people and also very motivating.  I can tell you that dietitians are very motivated, driven and amazing individuals that have a true passion for their specialties!!   

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The weather and scenery was just beautiful.  I wish I would have had time to go to Garden of the Gods while I was there.

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Every session was very interesting and didn’t really focus on the basics which was perfect.  A lot of times in my classes I wish for more advanced concepts and practical applications, but they fall short of my expectations.  I feel like that is what I really need right now to advance and get better.  I learn and retain information best with hands-on and practical experiences, not just sitting in a classroom.  I believe that is my next goal . . . finding some way to get more hands-on experience in the field.  This too will increase my confidence.

Here are some of the sessions that were presented:

  • Energy Systems and Energy Metabolism
  • Fluid Balance, Body Comp, RMR, Blood Glucose
  • Endurance, Weight class/combative/aesthetic, Winter Sports
  • Collegiate Athletes
  • Professional Team Sports
  • Marketing Yourself in Sports Dietetics
  • Environmental Challenges, Recovery Nutrition, Travel
  • Developmental (Youth)
  • Female Athlete Triad
  • Ergogenic Aids
  • Tips for the Workplace from Coaches, RDs, Athletes

I would have liked to see a session on athletes with special needs, like diabetes, crohn's, allergies, physical disabilities, etc.  Let me know if you have interest in any one of these in particular and I’ll go over some of the main points in the future.  I need to go over them all again myself to make sure I retain the information.

IMG_5101 Another great thing about this trip was staying in the USOC training center dorms and getting to eat in the dining hall there.  The food was definitely not your typical cafeteria food, it was really good! 

I hated our college DC food and lived off salads, frozen yogurt and whatever I could fit in my mini fridge.  I didn’t take pictures of all my food there because I didn’t know how others would take it, or think I was strange.  Each menu item also had detailed nutrition facts which I thought was awesome :)

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This was some kind of sun-dried tomato chicken with spinach and tomato pasta, and of course all the salad you could ever want! 

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Here are some other pictures of the OTC:

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There is a man in the picture jumping across the floor like a giselle!  He had giant quads :)

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This was the power-lifting training room 

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This is the Sports Medicine and recovery room where athletes go to unwind after a good training session.  Our tour guide said this isn’t open to the public. 

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Boy I sure wanted one of these!!!!! 

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I wish I was going to FNCE as well, it would have been so neat to meet many of the fellow RD bloggers.  My friend and I are planning on going next year if we can swing it. 

IMG_5150 Last night we went to a HS friend’s wedding reception and it was so beautiful!!!  It was actually like a little mini reunion because I saw so many people that I had known.  I was so happy for them and of course I had to have some of the cake!  It wasn’t spectacular, but still pretty good.  I wish I would have gotten the strawberry one, but grabbed the lemon thinking that was the only flavor.  Sure is pretty . . .

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At the moment I’m scrambling to get the guest room ready for my mom on Tuesday!  We’ve got it painted and put the bookshelf in there so I could get rid of the many boxes I’ve been avoiding for so long.  I just have too much crap I think, especially all my school work, which isn’t crap but I just can’t seem to get rid of it. 

I’m also getting behind on my school work since being out of town.  I have to get a lit review done for one project and also a research proposal for my research methods class.  Lots to do!  But, I’m looking forward to the winter break fast approaching.  I saw Christmas decorations already being put on display.  How is it the holiday season already?!   

There were inspirational quotes all over the OTC.  I’ll leave you with this one from Lance Armstrong . . . 

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Hope you all had a good weekend!  Get out there and show ‘em what you got!

 

22 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow, such awesome pictures! I can't believe how amazing that food looks. I normally can't stand cafeteria food!

chow and chatter said...

thanks for sharing what a great experience never feel inadequate on experience as we learn something new everyday lol

MelissaNibbles said...

Swanky cafeteria food!

It looks like you learned a lot and had a great time. I'd like to learn more about Crohn's. A friend of mine has it and seems to have trouble managing it.

Enjoy the rest of your night :)

Unknown said...

wow I am super jealous you got to go to this conference. You took great pics!

that pic of the sundried tomato chicken certainly did not look like cafeteria food!! i bet sleeping in those dorms brought you back to your college days!

thanks for the congrats on spin! It was a really great, informative workshop!

enjoy your day kristen :)
-Naomi

Anonymous said...

Wow, looks like a great trip! Suddenly my job seems very dull!! Ha ha ha.

MelindaRD said...

Looks like you really did have an amazing time. It is always great to go to events/conferences like that and learn new things and have affirmation that you are on the right track.

Gina; The Candid RD said...

What a WONDERFUL experience Kristen!! It looks like you had a fantastic time and learned a lot at the same time. Very cool. Thanks for sharing your amazing pictures. That pool is mind-blowing.

As for the sports nutrition information, it's ADA's position statement paper from a couple years ago. Are you a member of ADA? If you are, you can download it on their website, it's AWESOME!

Susan said...

How exciting! I looked at a masters program in sports nutrition that worked at one of the Olympic Training Centers...it looked amazing!

Nicole, RD said...

SCAN looked like a great time! I'm not at FNCE either, sadly! Hopefully next year!! Great post!

Nicole

Susan said...

I'd only heard about the one in Florida before (which sounds amazing!), but the University of Utah has a coordinated masters/internship program with a sports nutrition emphasis as well.

http://www.health.utah.edu/nutrition/degrees/graduate/cmp/sports/index.html

Emily said...

glad you had so much fun at the SCAN conference. It sounds really neat, and the training center looks amazing!

FNCE was good but, I'm sooo exhausted!

I got my business cards from Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5318478

Anonymous said...

sounds like an interesting event! I usually feel I don't get enough of deep info when it comes to nutrition/fitness too, which is disappointing. So glad it wasn't the case for you this time.
that man jumping pic is so funny!!! :)

Jessica said...

That conference sounds incredible!!

Astra Libris said...

Such amazing photos!! Thank you so much for taking us along on the tour! I can only imagine how inspiring it must have been to be there in person... WOW!!

Michal said...

It looks like you had such a fun time! I wish I could jump like that man in the picture :) Hope your having a nice week!

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

What a great conference-the topics are certainly very interesting!!
Loved the idea of the nutrition labeling in the cafeteria-that's so cool.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing experience. Sure wish I could eat in that cafeteria!

Kelly said...

I am shocked at how delicious that food looks. And the OTC is awesome!

Yay for the foam roller, let me know how you like it!

Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) said...

Glad you had such a great time and learned a lot! Those sessions sound very interesting!

That wedding cake is gorgeous!

Have a great weekend!

Sophia said...

And what a tremendous experience! You must be enjoying yourself so much, and learning tons!

Heather S-G said...

Wow, what an awesome experience!! That guy is flying!! And I could definitely go for a massage, too :D

bhealthier said...

I thought I already commented on here-- maybe I just emailed you. Anyhow- I love conferences and can't wait to go to more! Everyone that went to FNCE from my program said they had really great lectures , my prof got all the CD's so I can live vicariously through those and YOU! Wow the OTC looks like such an amazing experience. you are so fortunate to have had that opportunity!sending you good thesis vibes your way ~~~~~~