WWhen hen thinks of women to celebrate Women’s History Month it’s no surprise that Winter Vinecki is the first to come to mind. Because she has accomplished remarkable feats, which she began doing before she even started elementary school, and because she is a professional athlete who has broken numerous records.
At five years old, Vinecki, an Olympic competitor and Juice Plus+ ambassador from Michigan, began participating in athletic sports. Vinecki started running at five years old. She ran her first 5K by eight and her first 10K by eight. By ten, she had run a 10-miler. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she went on to break two world records before she turned 15: She was the youngest person to run a marathon on seven continents–including the coldest place on Earth, Antarctica–and was the first daughter-mother duo to do so as her mom joined her on her in completing this remarkable achievement. Vinecki’s impressive and successful career as a professional skier is most notable. Vinecki is in her sixth year with the United States Ski Team. She joined the team in 2016 and has been a gold medalist at 2021 Moscow World Cup.
It’s clear that Vinecki is an expert on how to fuel her body to achieve peak performance. Well+Good had the chance to catch up with her to learn more about her workout regime and how she keeps her body going–both mentally and physically–especially when it’s freezing cold outside. They don’t call her Winter for nothing. Here’s more on how the Olympic athlete feeds her body.
Here are some tips to fuel your body for winter workouts
Vinecki says it is no accident that exercising in cold weather can be more difficult. Vinecki states that winter workouts present unique challenges to the body. “You are not only working to complete the task at hand but also using energy to keep warm,” Vinecki said.
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Depending on what sport you choose, your ability to beat the cold while exercising can vary. “In certain sports like running, it is possible to quickly warm up and keep warm. She says that it isn’t as consistent in other sports. She points out that aerial skiing, the sport she is competing in, has short jumps followed by quick breaks. This makes it difficult to stay warm.
Vinecki’s solution to weathering these cold-weather workouts is to fuel her body properly. Vinecki stated that she has had to adjust her meals in order to eat before going out, or bring food and snacks with her. This usually involves a warm, filling meal that keeps her fueled up for the day. Hot oatmeal with dried fruit, nuts butter and flax seeds is my favorite meal before starting training in the winter.
Vinecki emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet and how it can help athletes achieve their best performance. You get what you put into your body. Good nutrition not only helps me perform at my best, but also allows my body to recover quickly and prepare for many years of performance.” she said.
You get what you put into your body. Good nutrition not only helps me perform at my best, but also allows my body to recover quickly and prepare for many years of performance. “–Winter Vinecki
Vinecki is a firm believer in the importance of staying hydrated, regardless of season. Water is my most important drink before any workout, regardless of the weather. It is easy to drink too much water when it’s very cold. Vinecki says that she enjoys teas, even hot water with honey and lemon on cold days. For an extra refreshing boost, she might add mint or citrus to iced water on hot days.
This Olympian demonstrates how she keeps her body moving, not just physically, but also mentally.
Vinecki stresses the importance of fueling her body properly with nutritious foods. She also notes that mental health is crucial for her ability to overcome tough challenges on the slopes. Vinecki states, “I have been an athlete competitively most of my life.” With nearly 20 years experience in professional sports, Vinecki, now 24, has experienced many hardships. She lost her father when she was nine years old due to rare and aggressive forms of prostate cancer. “This experience taught me that I should not wait until tomorrow to do what I can do today. She says she is grateful to be alive today and that she has the opportunity to try again.
Vinecki allowed her gratitude and passion for her work to guide her through these difficult times. Because I love what I do, I have found strength to overcome all these difficulties. She says that she is eager to do the best in my sport, and knows this will require doing things not everybody can do. This, and a healthy bowl of oatmeal.
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