Namita Nayyar:
You won the 2021 Tour de Ski, a first for an American. You are placed atop the overall World Cup 2020–2021 season standings, claiming the biggest annual prize in cross-country skiing. How do you manage such a remarkable achievement and how it shall be a catalyst to your more exceptional sporting achievements in cross-country skiing to come?
Jessie Diggins:
I give all the credit for that to my amazing team and support team! These were so hard to achieve, and it would not have been possible to win them alone. I feel so lucky to have amazing coaches, wax techs, teammates, a supportive family and fiancé, and partners that help me get through so many challenging races! I think the past season was a great test for me in terms of handling pressure and a lot of racing, so I’m looking forward to this winter and seeing what I can do!
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Jessie Diggins:
In the summer, I’m training six days a week, twice a day. Every day is a little bit different, but what I love is that I get to train in so many different ways! I roller ski, run, bike, swim outside and lift weights, so it’s never boring. We also do intensity training a few times a week, speed training once a week, and lift in the gym twice each week, so our bodies are always challenged with something new.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your fitness routine in such pandemic times?
Jessie Diggins:
I’m really lucky in that most of our training is outside, and easy to do while keeping social distance. So running, biking, roller skiing and skiing are all ways that I train that I was able to do through the pandemic!
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Jessie Diggins:
We train in the gym twice a week, and do a wide variety of exercises that work our entire bodies. Having a strong core is really important for cross country skiing, as it’s how we connect the power from our arms to our legs. So I spend about 20 minutes twice a week focused on core training. But I think the real secret is simply that skiing works your core every time you plant your poles, so every time I’m out skiing it’s a core workout in and of itself!
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Jessie Diggins:
I try to be sure I eat a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruits so that I’m getting enough nutrients through my food. But I don’t have a special diet, and I enjoy dessert every day. I do, however, listen to my body and honor what it’s telling me, so when I’m hungry, I eat, and when I’m full, I stop. I try not to eat out of boredom or emotion, but I also don’t try and ignore or suppress hunger cues either.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Jessie Diggins:
I love salmon, raspberries, dark chocolate, banana bread and really crispy roasted brussels sprouts. And I really, truly believe that all foods fit into a healthy diet! But, I don’t consume very much of these foods: fried chicken, olives, raw beef, picked fish, beer.
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