Athletes: Getting The Plant-Based Edge
I love working out… there I said it!
I know some of you may be rolling your eyes right now, but that’s ok. I lift weights 3 times per week and run once a week. The running is only a recent thing, but the weightlifting has been going on for about 1 1/2 years now and I love it. It makes me feel strong, it makes me feel like I can keep up with my kids, and I love seeing the small improvements that come with consistency. Don’t get me wrong, I do not have a 6 pack or bulging muscles as that is not quite what I’m going for – I follow a program that is focused on building a feminine physique and overall tone.
I work out at home in my garage on some second-hand equipment I picked up on Gumtree for about $200, which works so well for me as I can exercise around my schedule and get the kids involved. The kids are my own personal DJs and have learned with time what constitutes workout music (I’m afraid Kidz Bop just doesn’t cut it). This is another thing that makes me feel good – showing my kids that fitness and good health is important.
I am often asked by other mums (and dads) who are into working out, about whether I struggle with gains or lifting on a plant-based diet, and my answer is a certain no. I struggle to push to additional weight levels if I have let my diet slip generally and am not focused on eating enough calories in the lead up to a workout, but that is no different to any other athlete.
The big difference I notice though is that I recover a lot quicker and feel lighter overall.
I love eating a plant-based diet and can only see benefits when it comes to building strength and fitness. What I eat is cleaner and is perfect for fueling my body to perform at an optimal level. I think this is the big distinction in my mind. I focus on food as a source of delicious fuel for my body and find this distinction has made for a much more enjoyable journey.
The athletes featured in this clip are the real deal and they all have something in common besides their indisputable success – they all thrive on a plant-based diet!
Let’s not stop there though!
There are countless athletes around the world including those you will likely recognise – Venus & Serena Williams, Kelly Slater, Patrik Baboumian, Carl Lewis, Meagan Duhamel, Tia Blanco… the list goes on and on.
There are also many whose names you won’t recognise, who are doing it for themselves, the animals and the world around them.
So for all of you who do focus on strength and fitness… take some motivation from these superstars to see just how far a plant-based diet can really take you!
