Best health tips from Canada's female Olympic athletes

The Olympics is a spectacular gathering of the world's top athletes and, this year, all eyes are on Vancouver to see who will take top honours at such winter games as skiing, skating, bobsled and curling.

It's safe to assume that every athlete who qualifies for the Olympics is in tip-top form as they prepare to compete on the world stage; and Canada's ladies are no different.

Want to know their secrets to achieving their personal -- and healthy -- best? From fitness and nutrition to rest and rejuvenation, here are some healthy words of wisdom from Canada's top female athletes:

Exercise tips

A long ski or hike with friends has to be the best way to enjoy a weekend morning. You get great company, enjoy the outdoors, and you get a workout without even noticing. Finish it off with a tasty lunch or brunch, and that's pretty much my #1 workout. -Perianne Jones, cross-country skiing

I think a really great workout is one that is a full-body workout. I like being challenged with new exercises I haven't tried before. I like circuit training when you can keep moving with less rest between sets. I also like to keep my workouts to a reasonable amount of time, I don't believe you get as much out of workouts that last too long. After a great workout, I feel like I have taken a positive step towards my long term goal. It's very satisfying, and provides me with energy for the rest of my day. -Jayna Hefford, hockey

For me, a really great workout needs to be challenging. I always feel my best after a workout that is intense and has challenged or pushed me in some way. Whether the challenge is small (getting to the gym) or big (a 50 km bike ride), or the workout is short or long, there is a sense of accomplishment that I get from pushing myself. I also get the most out of workouts when I have music to listen to. I find it gives me that extra bit of energy to push myself that much harder. -Meaghan Mikkelson, hockey

Click to continue... 

Nutrition tips

My favourite healthy breakfast: -Toast with organic peanut butter -Skim milk -Yogurt with fresh berries -Two hardboiled eggs -Coffee. -Gillian Apps, hockey

I think my body is my vehicle... I'm kind of scared of all the things that could be in my food, so all my meat is organic, I drink loads of green tea and I don't drink coffee. My sweet tooth craving is 100 per cent dark chocolate. -Anabelle Langlois, pairs figure skating (pictured with partner Cody Hay)

I like to make a fruit shake for an afternoon snack. I usually include blueberries, cranberries, cottage cheese, yogurt and some greens. I add some water just to thin out the consistency a bit and maybe a touch of honey or maple syrup if it needs it. This snack is a great cure for the afternoon munchies (quantities vary depending on how hungry I am.) -Madeleine Williams, cross-country skiing

Rest and rejuvenation tips

For an energy booster, a 20- to 30-minute nap in the afternoon leaves me re-energized; but sleeping for much longer can leave you feeling worse.
-Perianne Jones, cross-country skiing

Rest is very important to me because I'm skating so much. I keep a regular schedule and I like to relax by stretching, listening to music or watching TV; these things help me to clear my thoughts and not think about anything else. -Vanessa Crone, ice dance (pictured with partner Paul Poirier)

I like to make a fruit shake for an afternoon snack. I usually include blueberries, cranberries, cottage cheese, yogurt and some greens. I add some water just to thin out the consistency a bit and maybe a touch of honey or maple syrup if it needs it. This snack is a great cure for the afternoon munchies (quantities vary depending on how hungry I am.)
-Madeleine Williams, cross-country skiing

Stress-relief tips

To shake off a bad day or competition, I write in my journal, go for a walk or a spin on the bike and stretch. Sometimes, I just spend some time by myself and take some time to get re-centered. Usually a bad day for me is caused by a lack of sleep or poor nutrition -- nothing a good meal and a good sleep can’t fix! -Alexa Loo, snowboard

To de-stress, I really like to go for a hard run to "hammer out" my frustrations and clear my head so I can think about whatever the problem might be.
-Madeleine Williams, cross-country skiing

Find more inspiration for active living in the Exercise and Fitness section of Health and Nutrition.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
-How to train like an Olympic athlete
-5 ideas for winter exercise
-10 exercise motivation boosters