16 Health Secrets Olympians Know
You'll never need to land a triple toe loop or steer a rocketing bobsled (we hope), but how to eat for energy, unkink your back, and smile away nerves? Those kinds of tips could come in handy, so we got them from 10 spectacular Winter Olympians. Thanks, ladies, and good luck out there. By Caitlin Moscatello, REDBOOK.
1. Power up with a parfait
"Before a workout, I'll have Greek yogurt with almonds, blueberries, and pineapple. The yogurt has the perfect mix of protein and fat, the fruit provides carbs, and almonds add an energizing boost of omega-3 fats." -Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, 29, who won the women's downhill at the 2010 Olympics
2. Beat anxiety with RPMs
"A few minutes of meditation gives me more clarity and focus, and it's as rejuvenating as caffeine. But it's so easy to skip it if I don't do it first thing. So I live by the RPM rule: Rise, pee, meditate. In that order."-Snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, 32
3. Forgive yourself to turn around a mistake more quickly
"The ice is so slippery, and really, anything can happen, no matter how much I practice. All I can do is go out there with confidence, and if I fall on my butt, I try to take it in stride. I think you have to show up with the mind-set that you are going to do your best, and remember that anyone can make a mistake. When something unexpected happens, it helps if you can react quickly and get back on your feet." -Ice dancer Meryl Davis, 27, who with her skating partner, Charlie White, won the World Championships last year (They're the faces of Ralph Lauren's Winter Olympics campaign.)
Related: The Magic Food Formula That Makes You Lose
4. Web search your way to a flatter belly
"Abs are the quickest muscles to lose fitness, so it's important to work them in a new way every few months. Often, I'll go on YouTube and search for ab workouts, then scroll until I see something I haven't tried before. But don't beat yourself up if you don't get a lot of definition; even many elite athletes don't have a six-pack. Abs like that are like the cherry on top of the sundae. Sigh. The sundae we can't have." -Bobsledder Lolo Jones, 31
5. Give your body a boost with… pickles!
"Pickle juice has electrolytes in it, and after a workout, I crave the salt. Sometimes, and this is weird, I'll drink the juice, and then I have to eat the pickles that have been dried up and left for dead. My teammates got me pickles for my birthday last year." -Ski jumper Lindsey Van, 29 (This will be the first Games that includes women's ski jumping; officials once claimed the sport was bad for a woman's uterus!)
6. Fake it till you make it--with makeup
"I'm a show pony by nature: When I feel those eyes on me, I thrive. But on days when I'm just not feeling it, what helps is makeup. In figure skating, it's a part of the package. I wear a bright red lipstick from CoverGirl's Lip Perfection line in a shade called Rapture; it instantly makes me feel more confident. Lipstick is also a reminder to smile, which tells my brain it's 'go time.' " -Ice skater Ashley Wagner, 22
7. Team up to shape up
"I'm a big proponent of exercising with at least one other person. Together, you can say, 'No, we are not cutting corners, we're doing this.' Music can be a great group motivator. Right now, my team has Katy Perry's 'Roar' on repeat." -Ice hockey player Julie Chu, 31
Related: The One Week Tighten and Tone Jumpstart Plan
8. Energize with a "fatty coffee"
"I add coconut oil to coffee, and I drink two cups every morning. Coconut oil, butter, and cream have omega fatty acids, so they give you more energy and ward off that mid-morning or afternoon crash. If I'm at Starbucks, I'll get a triple shot latte dry with steamed heavy cream." -Bobsledder Jazmine Fenlator, 28
9. Relieve maxed-out muscles with a D.I.Y. massage
"I swear by something called 'the Stick.' It's basically just that, a stick, covered with plastic beads that you roll over sore muscles. You can use it anytime you're sitting around to work out tight spots, especially in your legs." -Lindsey Vonn
10. Prep breakfast so you can stick to your workout
"I'm a fan of exercising in the morning, but those early hours are busy, especially when you have little kids. So the night before, I'll pour cereal in a plastic container and put it on a lower shelf in the pantry where my daughter can reach it. Then I'll fill a sippy cup with juice and put that on a low shelf in the fridge. This way, she feeds herself breakfast while I squeeze in my workout." -Skeleton athlete Noelle Pikus-Pace, 31, a former world champion and 2010 Olympian
11. Use a "bond aid" to get through tough times
"My skating partner, Charlie, and I both had singles careers before we fully committed to ice dance, and I can say that having him there with me on the ice is a huge comfort. When one of us is having a good day and the other isn't, we help each other through that. If I'm dragging, Charlie reminds me what our goals are and keeps me going. We need people in our lives--not just in sports--who we can borrow energy or strength from when we can't find our own." -Meryl Davis'
12. Tone your whole body with a multitasking move
"Bridge pose gets you all over--just lie on your back and lift your pelvis up while keeping your shoulders on the ground. You work your arms to hold your balance, squeeze your butt to keep your pelvis lifted, lock your core, and firm up your legs." -Julie Chu
Related: 21 Ways to Burn Fat Faster
13. Add the perk-up spice to your tea
"I used to drink coffee, but I've switched to green tea with lemon juice and a dash of cayenne pepper. It gives me that extra kick without weighing down my stomach." -Meryl Davis
14. Prevent soreness with an old remedy
"My 'secret sauce' is Tiger Balm Extra Strength; it's like a pre-exercise stretch in a jar. Before a workout or game, I rub a dollop over my legs, which keeps my muscles from getting stiff." -Ice hockey player Hilary Knight, 24, who brought home a silver medal from the 2010 Olympics
15. Block those harsh winter rays
"On the mountain, you've got the sun and the sun's reflection off the snow. So skipping SPF is not an option. Mission Products makes one that's great for exercising outside because it's anti-sting; the last thing I want is sunscreen mixing with sweat and running into my eyes!" -Gretchen Bleiler
16. "Woosah" your nervousness away
"As soon as I get in my sled, I breathe and say, 'Woosah!' It's a mental trick I picked up from the movie Bad Boys II; when Martin Lawrence is talking to his psychologist about flying off the handle, he gets the advice to rub his ears and say, 'Woosah.' I can't explain why it works, but the second I say it, I remember I've done this before and can do it again. Acknowledging that it's not your first time in a situation can help you calm down and get through it." -Jazmine Fenlator
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