Remember Michael Phelp’s Beijing Olympics Diet? He inhaled 12,000 calories a day, including breakfasts with pancakes stakes piled high, grits, French Toast, eggs, the whole works. Tour de France cyclists are encouraged to consume a like amount of calories per day. These guys burn and burn and burn away the calories. If Phelps ever decides to switch careers, we imagine he would win the gold in a competitive eating contest. Unfortunately, we’re not as blessed to eat uncontrollably without worry of blowing up like the Good Year Blimp. An average male at Phelps’s weight and height should only consume around a 1/6 of what Phelps takes in. The ancient Olympians, like Hercules, followed what in essence was the Atkins Diet – lots of protein and no carbs. This article highlights the nutritional programs for a variety of “Olympic” determined athletes. Workout with the same motivational Olympian prowess, eat like a champ, and you’ll see your gorgeous face slapped on a Wheaties box in no time!
Women skiing workouts do not burn as many calories as Michael Phelps’s 8,000 calorie-burning swim workouts, but they still manage to smolder 4,000 – 5,000 calories per training session. For comparison’s sake, 4,000-5,000 burned calories are more than 2x the amount of daily calories the average woman consumes in a day. So, what can we learn from the Olympic competitors? Your daily lifestyle and workout regime should influence your diet. If you run around all day for work and then you chase that with a 5-mile run when you get home, you will need to consume more calories than someone who moves from desk-to-couch each day.
Downhill skiers need protein to build their muscles and speed skaters need carb-heavy diets for recovery. Meals heavy in protein, such as meat, make up the majority of Bode Miller’s and Lindsay Vonn’s diets. Whereas, ice skaters lean toward meals like whole-wheat pasta dishes which offer a large amount of glucose, that is stored and released into energy for that day’s specific caloric needs. The same concept is applied to the powerhouse cyclists like Lance Armstrong. Big breakfasts are followed by nibbling on highly-enriched granola bars to sustain riders for a long distance treks. Skiers and snowboarders consume larger portion sizes for optimal performance. Shredding and slicing through the snow requires a powerhouse of energy that is contained within the foods they eat.
Winter Olympians who are dressed in heavy gear sometimes forget the importance of water. Dressed as they are and the cold conditions often hide the need for water, so they need to stay on top of the amount of water they consume. Just because it is cold doesn’t mean they don’t sweat. Now us “regular joes” may forget about the amount of perspiration we expire, but we assume super athletes are well aware of this important factor. Add high altitude to the mix and everyone’s heart works harder to pump more blood. So the lesson here: drink lots and lots of water. A good rule of thumb – drink beyond what you feel is enough. And don’t forget about replenishing electrolytes. Good sources include Gatorade’s G2 and Smart Water.
Bottom line ladies: be conscientious of what you consume. Also, try to work out 4-5 times a week, consult with a nutritionist, and/or subscribe to a magazine like Shape or Fitness. Both magazines are great to pick up workout tips, healthy recipes and give you encouragement. Start living healthy, and most of all, have fun!
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