Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it!

I had a really tough workout today. I almost thought I wouldn't finish it, but I was helped along by my training pal Amanda, a crazy Oz with an abundance of stamina and determination!  We all have our off days and its great to have a training partner, or support group that can motivate you through the tough phases.

We have a fun weekend planned with the family, ice-skating and skiing if we can fit it all in. I am doing my best to embrace the Canadian culture with the kids, so they don't end up looking like their saddo Brit parents who can't do either of these activities! I just wish we had a little more snow here. What plans have you got for the weekend?

I was recently interviewed by Model Per4mance for their weekly blog feature.  I heard about them through the Fitness and Spice website.  Model Per4mance are an organisation who can meet your training and nutritional needs for all sporting events.  Check out their website and get hooked up with a trainer!

Anyway, enough about them, more about me (lol),  see after the jump for the full interview.

The MP4 Spotlight Is On: Amanda Thebe

January 29th, 2010

By Joanna Sutter

After way too much thought I’ve decided the next event I’m going to train for is a distance bike race instead of a triathlon. I was belly-aching the other day about going for a run and a friend asked me, “Why do you run if you don’t like to?”

Good question.

The truth is, I long for the runners-high that everyone talks about but sadly I’ve never even experienced a runners-buzz. I’m not giving up, I’m just not going to make running a core part of my training program. Instead, I’m going to ride like the wind! I’m going to channel my inner model and my inner Lance Armstrong. Who knows, with the training support of MP4, maybe I’ll be wearing a yellow shirt and then maybe I’ll start a foundation. I like the sound of Joanna Legstrong!

Enough about me, let’s meet…

The MP4 Athlete of the Week is: Amanda Thebe

If we asked your coach or training partner to list three words that describe you they would be: Well I did ask them, because I had no idea what they would say:energetic, determined, inspiring
(ohh and HOT!! – ha ha)

What are you training 4? I don’t have an event to train for currently, but this year I will be 40 and I really want to be in the best shape of my life. And that alone is very motivating.

What is the best nutrition or training tip you’ve ever been given? I struggled with low-blood sugar after my 1st pregnancy 6 years ago and was advised then to start eating lean proteins with every meal, eating 5 – 6 x per day. It not only stopped me feel faint and dizzy all the time, but gave me loads of energy.

Tell us about your most memorable athletic achievement. I have had a few: Climbing the 3 highest peaks in the UK in under 21 hours, my first 1/2 marathon,  the first time a won a fight in a karate competition.  I feel I have had quite a few ‘firsts’.

Describe your perfect workout. Resistance training with supersets (I love lifting heavy weights) combined with a metabolic workout ie tabata dumbbell swings, popping out a few chin-ups, finishing with a few runs up and down the stairs at my gym.

How do you achieve workout/life balance? I don’t wake up a nice person, so exercising for me is part of my mental health plan too   I try to do my workouts while the kids are at school/daycare, my husband and I have a date night every Thursday where we go to the gym together, and on a Saturday we all head over to the YMCA where the kids play and we workout again. So I try to integrate it into all our schedules – but the kids love the fact I am really fit and I think are inspired by it. I also try to do fun activities that involved all the family; this year we are all trying skiing.

What motivates you on days you don’t feel like working out? I never regret working out, but I do regret NOT working out.

If you could workout with anyone in the world who would it be and why? I would love to do a workout with Alwyn or Rachel Cosgrove – I find them very inspiring.

What is your favorite workout accessory? My workout schedule; I spend lots of time creating something interesting and challenging, so I love seeing how I have progressed throughout the training program. Or maybe its the Gymboss? I can’t decide!

What kitchen gadget can you not live without? Bodum 

What was the last thing you’ve had to eat today? Omelette made with 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, turkey bacon, arugala and red onions.

What book or magazine is on your bed side table? My Kindle!! Got it for Christmas and I love it. I am currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

What beauty product is always in your purse or gym bag? I don’t have anything in my bag – I must be a low-maintenance chick!

What is the most played song on your iPod? Ever Fallen in Love by The Buzzcocks

The first place you go when you log on to your computer is….My inbox.

When you’re not working out where can we find you? I work from home doing graphic design, other than that I am normally running the kids from one activity to another, they do more sports than me.

What’s your motto? It’s not my motto, I found it in a Womens Health Journal and I really like it; ‘Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it!’ It fits my personality.