An Olympic Body

10 Tips to Know to Have an Olympic Body

I was reading an article written by Annabelle Robertson and I wanted to share a small portion of her ideas. Whether you want an Olympic body, or just a more healthy and robust body I think these ideas are worth thinking about as you create your exercise program.

1. Know your body type. Are you built for speed or endurance or power? Knowing this will help you choose the appropriate exercise.

2. Determine your goals. If you want to lose weight focus on nutrition and cardiovascular. If you want to increase cardiovascular endurance then focus on swimming or running or cycling. If you want speed just add sprints to your routine.

3. Eat healthfully. ‘Brooke Bennett, three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics believes that content, not calories, should be the focus.’ Some of the foods mentioned were fruits, vegetable, lean proteins and slow carbohydrates like rice and sweet potatoes.

4. Eat frequently, with a mixture of protein and carbohydrates at every meal. Athletes eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, approximately 21/2 to 3 hours apart, with a mixture of proteins and carbs at every meal. That allows them to burn body fat and create healthy lean muscle.

5. Watch the mirror, not the scale. Look at yourself in the mirror and if your clothes fit and you look good, don’t worry about what the scale says. She suggests that you check you measurements and forget the scales.

6. Drink plenty of water. The amount of water one requires depends on medical condition, physical health and the environment. The Institute of Medicine generally recommends about 91 ounces of total water for women and 125 ounces for men. Too much water can be harmful.

7. Ease into new exercises. Just take it easy so you don’t hurt yourself.

8. Vary your activity, but include the weight room. “Olympic athletes spend a lot of time on their primary activity (a cyclist will ride, a runner will run), but for most folks, varying the activity reduces boredom and uses a variety of muscles which may otherwise not get worked.”

9. Train regularly and consistently. Olympic athletes train constantly but as an individual you need to determine what is best for you then do it on a regular basis.

10. Consider hiring a personal trainer. Besides using their ‘know how’, people will usually train better because they have to report back to their trainer. Having to report will give people more incentive to stay diligent. If you can’t afford a personal trainer then find someone who will work out with you and help keep you going.

All of these suggestions are worth considering to be healthy and to help us enjoy life to its fullest. You can find more free fitness information by searching the internet.