January 29th, 2010
By Joanna Sutter
After way too much thought I’ve decided the next event I’m going to train for is a distance bike race instead of a triathlon. I was belly-aching the other day about going for a run and a friend asked me, “Why do you run if you don’t like to?”
Good question.
The truth is, I long for the runners-high that everyone talks about but sadly I’ve never even experienced a runners-buzz. I’m not giving up, I’m just not going to make running a core part of my training program. Instead, I’m going to ride like the wind! I’m going to channel my inner model and my inner Lance Armstrong. Who knows, with the training support of MP4, maybe I’ll be wearing a yellow shirt and then maybe I’ll start a foundation. I like the sound of Joanna Legstrong!
Enough about me, let’s meet…
The MP4 Athlete of the Week is: Amanda Thebe
If we asked your coach or training partner to list three words that describe you they would be: Well I did ask them, because I had no idea what they would say:energetic, determined, inspiring
(ohh and HOT!! – ha ha)
What are you training 4? I don’t have an event to train for currently, but this year I will be 40 and I really want to be in the best shape of my life. And that alone is very motivating.
What is the best nutrition or training tip you’ve ever been given? I struggled with low-blood sugar after my 1st pregnancy 6 years ago and was advised then to start eating lean proteins with every meal, eating 5 – 6 x per day. It not only stopped me feel faint and dizzy all the time, but gave me loads of energy.
Tell us about your most memorable athletic achievement. I have had a few: Climbing the 3 highest peaks in the UK in under 21 hours, my first 1/2 marathon, the first time a won a fight in a karate competition. I feel I have had quite a few ‘firsts’.
Describe your perfect workout. Resistance training with supersets (I love lifting heavy weights) combined with a metabolic workout ie tabata dumbbell swings, popping out a few chin-ups, finishing with a few runs up and down the stairs at my gym.
How do you achieve workout/life balance? I don’t wake up a nice person, so exercising for me is part of my mental health plan too 
I try to do my workouts while the kids are at school/daycare, my husband and I have a date night every Thursday where we go to the gym together, and on a Saturday we all head over to the YMCA where the kids play and we workout again. So I try to integrate it into all our schedules – but the kids love the fact I am really fit and I think are inspired by it. I also try to do fun activities that involved all the family; this year we are all trying skiing.
What motivates you on days you don’t feel like working out? I never regret working out, but I do regret NOT working out.
If you could workout with anyone in the world who would it be and why? I would love to do a workout with Alwyn or Rachel Cosgrove – I find them very inspiring.
What is your favorite workout accessory? My workout schedule; I spend lots of time creating something interesting and challenging, so I love seeing how I have progressed throughout the training program. Or maybe its the Gymboss? I can’t decide!
What kitchen gadget can you not live without? Bodum
What was the last thing you’ve had to eat today? Omelette made with 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, turkey bacon, arugala and red onions.
What book or magazine is on your bed side table? My Kindle!! Got it for Christmas and I love it. I am currently reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
What beauty product is always in your purse or gym bag? I don’t have anything in my bag – I must be a low-maintenance chick!
What is the most played song on your iPod? Ever Fallen in Love by The Buzzcocks
The first place you go when you log on to your computer is….My inbox.
When you’re not working out where can we find you? I work from home doing graphic design, other than that I am normally running the kids from one activity to another, they do more sports than me.
What’s your motto? It’s not my motto, I found it in a Womens Health Journal and I really like it; ‘Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it!’ It fits my personality.
Tags: athlete spotlight
I share your appreciation for protein. Once I started eating 20-30 grams of protein per meal, my body and my energy transformed! I’m so glad we’ve connected, Amanda, I just love your style and your spirit!
I really love these Friday spotlight posts. : )
Jumping back a bit… hope you girls don’t mind!!
Heather – On your last post you were discussing milk/milk products. Unfortunately I have yet to remove milk and milk products from my diet completely. I love organic Greek yogurt and the occasional ½ cup of fat free milk in my oatmeal. (no more than 1x/week) I live in Hingham and have my milk delivered to my house from Hornstra Farms. I am hoping that because it is a local company I may be better off than consuming a mass produced one from the grocery store? Any thoughts?
Seanna – I was up in Andover yesterday morning for a work event and on my way back to the office I stopped in at Sephora at the Burlington Mall. Guilty as charged : ) Sephora had the ‘Hope in a Jar’ product on display right in front … it made me a little skeptical about some of the other products Sephora was selling after reading your comments & research. I found myself looking more closely at the product labels. I did invest in the makeup for ever SPF primer… hopefully I will have great results!
I LOVE IT AMANDA!
You are FIERCE, girl!
Would you expound on the UK climbing? Love to hear about that! What’s the next adventure? I hear you on the 40 thing, it’s my year, too, but is there anything you feel you haven’t accomplished?:o)
Hey Kristina! Thanks for checking in, sister. Um… If you’re having Greek yogurt and milk here and there from a local farm, I’ll meet you for tennis when we’re 90, cool? Seriously, as I finished that post with (or actually it might have been in the comments), you don’t have to break up with dairy, per se, just make the best choices ala source, portion, and form. I’ll have you know I JUST now polished off some Greek yogurt from my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture–local/regional organic and pasture raised products). I decided to try it this week, and… yummo! I love that you are supporting local farmers–good for them, and definitely better for your bod. You can contact them to verify that they are organic (or check their website if they have one), but the likelihood is greater that they are. And, if nothing else, I’m sure their cows are treated better.
Last point: Keep rocking it appropriately for variety in your diet, but don’t be doing it for the calcium. While calcium is abundant in milk/dairy, it is not well assimilated by humans. Make like cows and chew lots and lots of greens for that, along with plenty of Vit C and enzyme rich fruits/vegs, and get some good fresh air and (appropriate) sunshine for Vit D, and your bones will serve you well during our tennis game. 
Hi Kristina!
Great to hear from you! I’m glad that you’re starting to think about product marketing. To help sort it out, at least w/ skin care and make up products, I rely a lot on beautypedia.com. For $12/year (or half the price of a Dior mascara) you get the straight scoop on thousands of beauty products. They break it down in the lab and test it in real life. I believe they’re going to start reviewing hair care product lines too. I don’t know what I did before I found this website.
As far as the Burlington Mall, you’ll get no judgment from me! I love make up and products. I’m entering into “trying new stuff phase”. In fact, I just dropped $90 at MAC. Nordstroms tomorrow because I want to go by Nars and the fragrance dept. Hopefully I can get out of there before I end up in shoes … !!!
LMK what you think of MAFU primer. I love mine right now when my skin is dryer due to indoor heating/outside frigidity.
Thanks for the help Heather! Seanna, I will def keep you posted. This morning was my first try with the MAFU primer. I used it over my Neutrogena moisturizer (I am using the combination type one now – haven’t had the chance to pick up an SPF one.. YET) I have to admit – I have great luck in the Nordstroms’ shoe department – just picked up my first pair of FRYE boots this fall… but hey think of it this way.. @ least it’s not SAKS… ;0) And Jodi – even as a newbie, I love your blogs and talent more each day!
The 3 Peaks challenge is awesome. You have to climb the 3 highest mountains in the British Isles in succession.
The first is in Scotland – Ben Nevis, then we drive down to the Lake District on the West coast of England to climb the highest peak there called Scarfell Pike – then drive down to Wales and climb Mount Snowdown. ITS AWESOME but just so so exhausting. I wish I knew then, what I know now about nutrition. The whole event left me spent for the rest of the week.
btw girls, I used to live in Boston for a few years, big thumbs up for making MA fitter. Do you only specialise in that part of the country or are you looking to make it global?
And please chk out my blog, I have posted this article on there:
foxyburd.blogspot.com.
thanks xxx
Amanda, You have inspired me to go to the gym. You rock Foxy.
Hey girl!
We are global!! And we are all over the place ourselves. Not all of us are in MA. We have GA, NE and IL in the house, too!
You are the bomb and you are right on about the nutrition aspect. We are always programming with recovery being a central factor. Woop woop!:o)
Wow Amanda! You are SUPER inspiring! Happy hear you love your Gymboss! I received one for Christmas and haven’t used it yet but can’t wait to break it out.
Love reading the spotlights of such amazing women!