Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life, preparing for the Olympics.
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
The training and preparation for the Olympics is very structured and fairly demanding. First, we spend about 4 hours on the ice for physical training. Then, usually, we have a two hour “gym” training. Between all this and our rest periods, we have appointments in massotherapy, physiotherapy and consultations with our mental preparer. Finally, I also have to keep time for media requests and commitments with my partners. At the end of the day, there’s not much time left! I go to sleep very early since our first ice session is usually around 7am. In my day off (usually on Sunday), I like to take is easy, go at the restaurant for brunch with my friends and watch movies!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
- I train twice a day, 6 times a week on ice.
- I have two lifting sessions a week (Weights in the gym).
- At home, I will stretch and sometimes do abdominals.
- I also take ice baths after training.
- My routine is always the same in my training: strength and endurance movements.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
Yes, I do have a followed plan. I have a specific number of calories I need to have, depending on the activity/training intensity. Over the years, I have learnt to know my ingredients and know what I am eating.
So, I know, when I am cooking, what I need to make to fit into my plan. For example, I know the protein portion I need to make a 500-calorie chicken wrap. But I don’t carry my food scale around.
I am conscious of the intake, and respect my muscular mass and adipose mass. I must keep the adipose mass as low as possible, while maintaining a high muscular mass.
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