English footballer and Lioness Alex Greenwood shares her suggestions for living a healthy lifestyle ahead of tournaments just like the FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Women’s World Cup consisted of 32 qualifying teams for the primary time in history this 12 months, consisting of players at the highest of their league, reminiscent of English footballer Alex Greenwood.

The Manchester City defender participated within the Women’s World Cup as a part of the English national football team the Lionesses this summer. Although the team lost to Spain 1-0, the sport broke a brand new UK record for a women’s soccer game, because it was watched by an estimated 14.8 million.

So naturally, we desired to know the way exactly how the Lioness prepared for the tournament that inspired women and girls everywhere in the world.

Here’s what Alex needed to say…

‘Train smarter and take heed to your body’

Attempting to break into the male-dominated sport of football still proves to be a difficult task for ladies, yet there was a major increase in the quantity of ladies and girls playing football worldwide, at an estimated 29 million based on FIFA.

Although difficult, it’s definitely not unattainable as proven by Alex Greenwood, 30, whose stellar football profession has saw her play on the World Cup stage alongside her fellow teammates on England’s Lionesses national team.

In accordance with an article published by England Football, Greenwood says that she initially found her way in the game through gaining the respect of her male counterparts on the sector – or as Greenwood states, on the streets of Liverpool.

The sport has evolved, so I needed to evolve

‘I began playing football from the moment I could walk. I played more often with the boys at any time when and wherever we could, from the moment I woke up until I used to be called in’, she told Healthista.

Since then, Greenwood says that her fitness routine has significantly evolved, as she has had to coach smarter and take heed to her body over time.

‘The sport has evolved, so I needed to evolve. That’s the reason now with my experience, my weight-reduction plan and training has change into essentially the most crucial a part of my preparations.’

‘Preparation and planning ahead is essential’

The football defender says her routine varies throughout the football season, from high-intensity running to power sessions. Normally, Greenwood says that planning ahead and implementing small changes in her each day habits are key to staying healthy and lively ahead of game days.

being apart of a special group of players is what made the whole World Cup that rather more rewarding

‘There are moments of the season when you will have to push your body to the limit to be available for each game, from international fixtures and training in between’, says the now 30 12 months old.

The Lioness made it clear that when it got here to preparing for the World Cup, her training and eating habits remained relatively the identical, as she diligently prepares through the week until game day.

‘Crucial thing for me is feeling prepared. I deal with my nutrition and my training sessions in order that when the match day comes, I’m completely relaxed knowing I’ve done every part to have the option to play to perform at my best and win.’

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‘Be comfortable in your personal skin’

Although the lack of the World Cup final continues to be a hurdle the Lioness football players try to beat, Greenwood says that being apart of a special group of players is what made the whole World Cup that rather more rewarding.

Greenwood shares that so far as her weight-reduction plan goes, she has struggled prior to now with each over-eating and under-eating, leading to feelings of self consciousness when striving to feel comfortable in her body on and off the pitch.

I even have had times when I even have felt body conscious

‘As a lady, our bodies develop in another way. I even have had times when I even have felt body conscious and didn’t feel like myself on the pitch.’

With increasingly more fans watching women’s football, the Lioness’s have change into apart of the highlight, which Greenwood says can sometimes affect the best way she views herself.

‘Being pictured more, sometimes you possibly can take a look at those pictures and never like them, or people have a comment or opinion on an image that you simply don’t like.’

One other Lioness, Lucy Bronze, also expressed her views on the scrutiny women in football have received, commenting on the criticism that has increased for the reason that World Cup tournament this last summer.

Despite outside attention, Greenwood told Healthista that she has learned to know what works best for her body and what’s going to fuel her performance in order that she feels comfortable in her skin.

‘Nutrition is just as essential as training’

Greenwood says that specializing in nutrition is just as essential as training or going to the gym. However the non-negotiable is ensuring she tracks her macros – so carbs, fats and most significantly protein is what the football star puts emphasis on.

‘After all I switch off sometimes and permit myself to eat what I would like, and I feel that’s essential sparsely, but in between I deal with my nutrition intake by incorporating loads of protein and carbs into my weight-reduction plan.’

I imagine that everybody, no matter gender, deserves access to top-quality nutrition

Greenwood has recently founded her own supplements brand, Boast Elite, which she says she incorporates into her each day routine along with a balanced weight-reduction plan.

‘We created Boast Elite to support [everyone] with the correct dietary requirements to enable you to meet your personal health and fitness goals. Our range of supplements comprises nutrients that may nourish and hydrate your body to assist achieve peak performance in consequence’, says Greenwood.

‘I imagine that everybody, no matter gender, deserves access to top-quality nutrition and products to fuel their performance. Boast Elite is aimed toward empowering [everyone] i their fitness journeys, whether that be athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or simply health-conscious people on the whole.’

Boast Elite is about to change into available later this 12 months. Take a look at their Instagram for more updates and release date at @boast_elite