the fitness file: abby wambach

Editor’s Note: RHL recently caught up with Abby Wambach, US soccer’s female player of the year for 2003 and Mercy HS graduate. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. We thank her for her time and hope you find this as inspiring as we did.

Why do you work out? I work out because being a healthy human being is my first priority. Along with being a professional athlete, it is of the utmost importance that I am healthy to keep an active lifestyle for as long as I choose. It also doesn’t hurt to look good, either!!

How long have you worked out? I started really getting into working out when I went to college. In order to be a top level Division I athlete, you are required to stay as fit as you can. It has always been my philosophy to have your fitness be something you don’t need to worry about. So when I am practicing, I can completely concentrate on my craft. I have been involved with organized athletics since I was seven. But realistically, I started to become more aware of working out when I entered college in 1998. That would make it six and a half years.

In a typical week how often do you work out? Right now, I am training very hard. I work out with Athletes’ Performance, which is a training company. I work out 4 days a week. 2 days are what Athletes’ Performance calls regeneration days. So I am focusing on my body for 6 days a week.

Where do you work out? Athletes’ Performance. It is a training facility/company founded by Mark Verstegen. He, along with many other amazing trainers, formed a workout program specific to each athlete’s needs. What is so important for me is that I not do things that football players are doing. Rather, Athletes’ Performance caters to every athlete’s individual needs.

Do you like a specific time of day to work out? I have always enjoyed working out in the mornings. Since it is my job, I treat it like that. I wake up, eat breakfast, and then head to the gym. We do a lot of warm-up moment drills, and then into the weight room for strength work. Of course, I have to do conditioning drills as well. Unless I have a practice that day, then I will get my cardio in during my training.

Do you do: Aerobics - I like spinning, but have never been too much into going to any sort of classes. Strength training - Yes. It is very important for me to maintain my strength and the only way to do that is to strength train. Mind/body exercise such as yoga - I have done yoga in the past. I will say this - it’s a killer workout.

Do you follow any special diet? I am very diligent about what I put into my body. I see my body as a machine that needs the best fuel to get the best results. The thing about nutrition is that it is a lifestyle change. If you want to become a healthier eater, you have to be patient. It doesn’t happen in a month, or even 6 months. It’s a lifestyle change which will benefit you in the long run. Just don’t go to the store hungry, and don’t buy bad foods when there.

What is the biggest challenge about working out? It’s not really challenging. In fact, it is a passion of mine. I don’t feel right at the end of a day if I haven’t sweated and felt like I was active. But in order to get into shape, the biggest challenge for me is realizing that it’s a process. Nothing happens overnight. And knowing that everything in moderation is the key to keeping your mind, body, and spirit aligned. One thing I always ask myself if working out is ever in question is: Do I want to be able to play ball with my children? That makes me work hard every single day. Not to mention wanting to win another gold medal.

Being healthy is not easy. Having a good life isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would be. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to stay fit. But in the long run, it will pay off. You’ll feel happier, and be healthier.