Tips Olympians Use to Stay Fit

As we are all bundled up in our winter coats and hats shivering as we walk to class, the athletes of the 2014 Winter Olympics are sweating in Sochi, Russia. They are sweating due to their intense training and workouts to prepare themselves for their winter events. The athletes of the winter Olympics are known for their hard work and dedication….how else are they able to have their amazing abs and butts? With the help of their eating habits and workout routines you could look fit and healthy for spring break this year too! I know that there are tons of you strong and dedicated women out there who will be able to focus and get the spring break bodies they deserve and want.

1. Food: When trying to become fit, it is not all about working out. It is 50% workout, 50% about what you eat. Getting lunch or dinner at school or work can really make or break your diet. Many restaurant foods are packed with sodium or “good fat” to make the food taste better to the consumer. Even “healthy” restaurant chains will trick you. For example, Subway has processed meat that is filled with sodium and flash freezes their vegetables.

The best way to avoid all of the extra oils, hidden sodium, and fat is to make all of your meals yourself. Make sure to incorporate lots of vegetables and protein into your diet. Still eat breads, but try to mix it up by using whole grains. Cut your bread intake in half, and double your vegetable intake.

Another trick is to eat your vegetables, then meat, and follow it with anything else. This allows your body to be filled up with healthy things first, before moving on to empty calories that tend to be found in many carbohydrates. By making your meals on your own, you will know exactly what is going into your dishes.

Food at the Games: Food fuels the body, and each athlete demands a particular kind of sustenance. For instance, a 250-pound bobsledder requires proteins like steak to compete, while an endurance athlete like a cross-country skier needs carbs to go the distance. To aid the more than 2,000 competitors in their quest for the gold, the culinary artists behind the 2010 Vancouver Olympics spent four years researching and planning the cuisine for The Games. They began by reviewing a 400-page International Olympic Committee (IOC) manual, which is very specific about the food for the 85 nations that are represented. Interestingly enough, McDonald’s is very popular with athletes due to the amount of energy they are burning every day. However I would not suggest eating McDonald’s if you are trying to lose weight.

2. Drinks: Cut out all sweet liquids. This not only can cut many calories out of your daily diet, but it will make certain that you are hydrated for your workouts. If you need to have some flavor in your water, mix fruit in your water. My favorite is putting lemon, mint leaves, and cucumber in my water. Besides the fact that it tastes amazing, the vitamins are extracted from the plants and are absorbed into your body. Another trick to feel fuller before and after you eat is to drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before and after you eat. This process helps you digest things better and is easier on your body. 

• 2014
• Olympians
• staying fit
• workouts