COMPREHENSIVE goal-setting program to help an athlete overcome either disorder

Comprehensive Goal Setting Program
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Goal setting is very integral to any goal-oriented activity. It is particularly an important skill to athletes and it is for this reason that they should attain it to achieve optimum performance. However, it is unfortunate how some athletes set out to achieve unrealistic goals within a very short stipulated period and this can be fatal. Pressures related to winning a competition or at least achieving any of the top three spots predisposes an athlete to eating disorders and particularly bulimia and anorexia nervosa. They tend to change their eating habits to even smaller portions to avoid adding any mass. The most important fact they miss, however, is that a lot of energy is required to see them through the unending practice sessions and if anything they should be eating even larger portions to regenerate the energy as well as supply the body with sufficient energy for the coming sessions (Wilson & Dobson, 2008).
Pressure is a good thing as it pushes one even closer to achieving set goals. There are three types of goals that an athlete can set. These are performance, process and outcome goals. Performance goals are related to gradually trying to outdo your previous performance for overall betterment. An instance is trying to do fifteen push-ups instead of the ten push-ups one got used to previously. Secondly, process goal is those that emphasize on the weak areas to better performance. These are related to performance goals.

Last but not least are outcome goals and these are related to either winning or losing a competition. A counselor should also be brought on board to advise accordingly (Wilson & Dobson, 2008). Setting such goals will keep a balance of both the physical and the nutrition aspects of practice. All goals set however should abide by the SMART measure of goal attainability. They should be specific, measurable, attainable (to avoid unnecessary pressure), realistic and based on a specified time frame (Bellomo, 2010). With such a program, the athlete will have very minimal chances of dealing with bulimia or anorexia.
 
References
Bellomo, D. (2010). Kettlebell training for athletes: Develop explosive power and strength for martial arts, football, basketball, and other sports. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Wilson, S. B., & Dobson, M. S. (2008). Goal setting: How to create an action plan and achieve your goals. New York: AMACOM.