Namita Nayyar:
Your diet comprises of.. Foods you like to eat and/or those you tend to avoid? Your 5 favourite restaurants?
Christina Noelle Jones:
When it comes to nutrition, my best advice is to eat what makes you feel and perform best. Intuitive eating is the way to go! I refuse to count calories or cut anything out of my diet as restricting simply doesn’t work for me. Instead, I eat when I’m hungry and like to focus on adding superfoods to my meals.
I have a superfood smoothie recipe which I swear by. When I drink it, I have an immense amount of sustained energy and focus which lasts through the day. This smoothie consists of: coconut water, spinach, organic frozen berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, spirulina, chlorella, açai berry powder, goji berry powder, maca powder, cacao nibs, collagen peptides and bee pollen. It can be pricey, but investing in my health is a priority of mine. I prepare portion controlled batches in containers and keep them in my fridge so when I’m on the go, I dump the ingredients in the blender and run out the door!
With that being said, I also love munching on cheese, prosciutto and sipping on a glass of wine after work. Additionally, my guilty pleasure is Taco Bell! Life is all about balance.
Five of my favorite Las Vegas restaurants that come to mind are Ferraro’s, Settebello, North Italia, Naked Fish and Taco Bell (sorry, I had to!).
Namita Nayyar:
You are 2015 World Champion and a 2008 Olympic synchronized swimmer. What all goes into the preparation for a competition? Share what all goes behind the making of an Olympian? Tips on how one can balance career & sports?
Christina Noelle Jones:
Synchronized swimming requires some of the most involved and difficult training there is. Achieving simultaneous perfection for eight athletes is not an easy task! Our team trained 8-10 hours a day in the water, an hour or two on land – six days a week.
In order to be a successful synchronized swimmer, you have to be incredibly tough – both mentally and physically. Most importantly, you have to be a team player. Even on the most difficult days, I always had my team to lean on. We are still very close to this day!
Behind every Olympian are dozens of family members, friends, coaches, trainers, sports psychologists and everyone else in between. Without a strong support system, we are nothing.
Developing a balanced athlete is key. It’s imperative that children in sports still have time to be kids. Above all, a child needs to follow their own dreams – not the dreams of their parents! Every year, my parents would ask me if I was having fun and if I wanted to continue to participate in synchro. I never felt pressure from them to continue doing something I didn’t want to do.
Namita Nayyar:
Your present day fitness routine? 5 must do exercises for anytime fitness.
Christina Noelle Jones:
Performing 10 shows a week keeps me in shape, but I’m always sure to do additional exercises to make sure my body is ready to handle the performances. Stretching is incredibly important! I’m also big on strengthening my core, shoulders and hips as synchro swimmers use these body parts the most.
Cirque du Soleil provides some of the very best Physiotherapists and Trainers who give us a variety of exercises on a daily basis. It’s hard to choose five exercises as switching things up is what keeps me fresh!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
