About Priscilla Lopes-Schliep
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep is a Canadian 100m hurdler who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. To learn more about Priscilla, be sure to check out her website.
Healthynomics would like to thank Priscilla for her time.
Q&A
Healthynomics: Optimal health, what does that mean to you?
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep: Optimal health means being aware of all aspects of your health – mind, body, and soul. From a nutrition standpoint, it involves tailoring one’s daily intake based on how your body is to perform. But nutrition is only one the start. Physical activity in any form is a must for one’s muscles, bones, and joints. Exercising your mind and soul completes one’s health.
HN: What are some of your healthy eating habits? Do you eat nutritional bars and take supplements?
PLS: Moderation is key. I attempt to eat healthy 95% of the time and reserve the other 5% for certain times of the year and other occasions. It is not healthy to cut out all sweets, cakes, and candies. Nor is it healthy to eat such a strict diet that one’s taste buds lose memory of a good piece of taffy. I do eat nutritional bars and drink protein shakes but I don’t go overboard on them. For the last two months before a major competition I’ll key in on protein shakes more often.
HN: We keep hearing more good information about Super Foods such as spirulina (blue-green algae), raw hemp protein, goji berries, and others. Do you eat any of these foods in shakes or smoothies?
PLS: No. I’m a big believer in eating healthy, balanced meals and not relying on any one “Super Food” to blanket my diet. However, there are some trends I adhere to: 1) dark green > light green, 2) colorful plate > bland plate.
HN: What advice would you give someone looking for ways to motivate themselves to start and maintain a good fitness program?
PLS: Diversify your fitness program to keep each workout and day fresh and exciting – running stairs, lifting, cycling, yoga, basketball, tennis, etc. Involve an accountability partner to keep both of you motivated to continue after the newness of a fitness program has worn off and excuses become easier to invent.
HN: How do you stay fit in your off-season?
PLS: Since my off-season is only 6 weeks long, I intend on becoming as un-fit as possible!
HN: Do you have any favorite training tools or pieces of equipment you use?
PLS: One of my favorite training tools for optimum core strength is the Swiss ball. It allows a variety of abdominal workouts.
HN: Many full-time athletes have at least one habit that drives their coach a bit crazy? Any you might like to share with us?
PLS: My coach says I’m perfect. You’ll have to ask him!
HN: Do you listen to music while you train or getting ready to compete? What does it do for you and who are some of your favorite music artists?
PLS: Since my pre-race warm up involves a 60-minute routine of strides, stretching, and drills, music is a must for me. I have certain play-lists for race days that help get me in the right mind frame. I particularly like to listen to R&B, soca, and reggae.
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