Full Day Of Eating // Road To Semis // Episode 1

Thank you, foreign. Good morning, team! It's 7:30 here in Berlin, and we're back in Germany but only for two more weeks until we head back to South Africa. Why, you ask? Because we've qualified for the semi-finals in Johannesburg mid-May. With almost a month to go, we thought it'd be a great idea to take you on a journey through training, nutrition, recovery, and all the essentials leading up to the semi-finals.

If you're wondering how professional athletes fuel their bodies for peak performance, you're in for a treat. In this series, we're going to spill the beans on what it takes to compete at the highest level. Today, we kick things off with a glimpse into a day of eating.

The Peanut Butter Shake Powerhouse

To kickstart the day, we have an unconventional approach. We aren't the type to feast at breakfast. In fact, I'm usually not a big eater in the morning, and that's where the peanut butter shake comes to the rescue. This isn't just any shake; it's a powerhouse. Packed with oats, milk, banana, peanut butter, protein, and creatine, it's not only delicious but also easy to digest.

With roughly one and a half to two hours until our training session, we're looking at a thousand calories of pure energy in this concoction. It's my tried-and-true go-to, and it's remained unchanged since last year. The secret to consistency? Well, it doesn't get boring for me. It's simplicity at its finest.

The Post-Workout Refuel

After a grueling training session that stretched close to two hours, our bodies are craving a refuel. So, it's burrito time. Burritos are a personal favorite, and we have a go-to place in Berlin that serves them to perfection.

We know you're thinking, "How on earth do you track the calories in a burrito?" Well, we keep it simple. We look up similar burritos online, or even better, use MyFitnessPal as a benchmark. The result? A satisfying, energy-packed meal with around a thousand calories, brimming with protein and carbohydrates. It's exactly what we need to recover from an intense workout.

We follow an 80-20 rule for nutrition - 80% healthy choices and 20% indulgence. It's all about balance and enjoying the journey. Plus, there's a hidden bonus: Sophie never finishes her burrito, which means more for me!

Strategic Snacking

By 4 P.M, our hunger isn't at its peak, but we know we need to eat. To avoid a late-night calorie overload, we opt for toast with marmalade. It's a light choice that helps us prep for our second training session.

Here's a golden nugget for you: pre-plan your meals. I've already entered tonight's dinner into MyFitnessPal. This way, I can gauge if my calories for the day align with my goals, and if not, I can make adjustments.

The Evening Ritual: Prepping for Success

As the day winds down, we find ourselves back in the kitchen, prepping dinner and tomorrow's lunch. It's always a good idea to cook a bit extra, ensuring you have meals ready for the next day or two. One of our go-to meals is pasta with salmon and some red cheese, complemented by a generous portion of veggies to reduce inflammation.

What's the takeaway here? Experiment with your nutrition to see what works best for you. Whether it's more carbs, more fats, or something entirely unique, the key is consistency. It's a journey, and it takes time to figure out what suits you best. Remember, the scale isn't your only metric of success; monitor your sleep, recovery, energy levels, and mood to truly understand what's working for you.

And that's a wrap for episode one. Stay tuned for next week, where we'll dive into the changes we're making in our training regimen leading up to the semi-finals in four weeks. Get excited because we're just getting started on this thrilling journey!

Foreign, thank you for tuning in. We'll catch you on the next episode of our quest for athletic excellence.

*Foreign, foreign. *