Athletes have a lot in common with two year olds. Both are in a near-constant state of growth. Both challenge their body to respond to a variety of new activities. And for both, the demands get more difficult every day. Whether you're looking to put on 20 pounds of muscle, master a new skill, or add five pounds to your squat, you can learn a lot from a toddler.
Eat frequently: Babies eat up to eight times a day. Toddlers, five or six. Humans perform better when they get a steady supply of vitamins and amino acids. Strive to eat five nutritious meals a day, with your biggest servings coming pre and post-workout.
Sleep: Toddlers need 14 hours of sleep a day. That's when their bodies grow and their minds process all the new sights and sounds they see on a daily basis. Similarly, many successful atheletes, sleep as much as possible. You might not be able to give up half your day to sleeping, but getting a solid eight or nine hours of sleep per night is a must for serious athletes.
Stay flexible: Toddlers are limber. As we age, our muscles shorten and our joints deteriorate. Starting a comprehensive stretching program or making yoga part of your weekly schedule will make you injury-resistant and pain-free. You can get started on bodybuilding.com.
Model: How to kids learn to feed themselves? Or even learn to want to feed themselves? They see adults do it. Similarly, you can increase performance and change your perceptions of what's possible by watching professional athletes perform.
Squat: Toddlers squat so well its eerie. The hips go back, the feet stay flat, the head comes up. Adults have a hard time squatting because they are inflexible and have forgotten the basic motor pattern. But the movement is natural. It can and should be performed by most healthy people.
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