I’m Beth Skorecki, Editor of Lifehacker Health, and This Is How I Train
Hello friends! Lifehacker hosts the “How We Work” week. I’ve been here long enough that I’ve covered the usual issues several times over . So instead of the usual phone / computer / to-do list tips, I’ll tell you about my health and fitness habits and routines.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Current job: Health Editor at Lifehacker.
What’s in your gym bag?
Many things. I bring this bag to my Olympic weightlifting gym and my regular people gym where I do powerlifting, so it has items for both types of workouts. There is no shower either, so there is no need to carry clothes and towels.
- Pioneer lifting strap 10mm, 3in. Single lug with half-inch holes.
- Nike Romaleo Climbing Shoes
- Straps to keep your grip on high volume sets of Romanian deadlifts, etc.
- Wrist Bandage for Bench and Overhead Press
- A pair of 1.25lb micro plates because my regular gym has no
- Fat gripz because I ‘m preparing for an event with a thick bar, but none of my gyms have one.
- A tripod for my phone so I can film my climbs from a decent angle
- My workout log
What fitness apps can’t you live without?
Technically, I could be fine without them, since my training diary is a hardcover notebook. But I love Strong to track my weight lifting workouts, the Nike Run Club when I run, the Cronometer to track my nutrition (which I don’t do all the time, but I’m doing it now), and SleepWatch if I want to check if I’m getting enough sleep.
What are your fitness goals right now?
They keep changing, but over the past year or so, my focus has been on powerlifting (squats, bench press, and deadlifts). This spring I ran a half marathon and thought that I would continue to run, but then something happened.
In particular, I learned about the little-known sport of all-around. I have learned a few unusual exercises, set records in them , and now I am heading to the world championship, where I have to perform in seven different exercises. Most of them I have never tried or even heard until this year. For example, a one-handed push . And the floor press, where you can lift the weight with your hips into the air. And the deadlift is perfectly fine, except that you have to lift the bar without thumbs. That sort of thing.
In preparation for this, I started training in the Olympic weightlifting gym. I love it so much that I can focus more on the “O” exercises in the future – but this is a question that I will consider after the World Cup. Yes, and in November I finally have a powerlifting competition. This will be my first.
What is your training program?
I try to train every weekday and reserve at least one of the weekends for rest. I like to do the workout first thing in the morning, but I also hate getting up early, so the exact workout time depends on which side wins.
What is your approach to nutrition? Are you taking any supplements?
I eat high protein (100-130 grams per day, which I think is overly sensible) and as many fruits and vegetables as I can. I don’t have any specific diet.
I sometimes use whey powder as a protein source, but I prefer to achieve my goals using real food, simply because the food tastes better and more satisfying than drinking a smoothie. I’ve also experimented with creatine , but I’m not sure if it really helps me. Otherwise, no additives.
What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?
I remember participating in the 5K race many years ago, where I knew, from my past performance and from the then new GPS watch on my wrist, exactly what my pace and my finish time should be. I was very, very wrong, pushing myself too hard and hating every minute. My finish time was actually normal, but I was still disappointed in myself.
From this I learned never to trust what I “should” be able to do. There is only one way to find out what you are capable of on competition day, and that is often influenced by factors beyond your control.
Favorite / least favorite exercise?
Favorite: everything that I recently promoted. Also bench press.
Least favorites: a plank or something with weights.
What’s your favorite shortcut or hack?
I wash my hands right after training. I’m not hermaphobic, but I’m not going to eat breakfast with my hands in the gym.
Who are the people who help you achieve results, and how do you rely on them?
I have many coaches and mentors, without whom I would not be able to do half of what I am doing now. Tom and Maggie Duer of PFP Barbell teach me Olympic exercises. John McKean convinced me to try my hand at weightlifting. James Heathers gave me a lot of invaluable advice on all-around and training in general. And I owe a lot of my strength training success to online barbell coaching.
How to recharge or relax?
If I’m feeling really worn out, I’ll take an extra day off. If things are going well, I just sleep well and eat well. I also love taking baths, both for relaxation and for my calluses .
What are you reading now or what do you recommend?
I have two fitness books that I really want to open: Mind Gym , the classics of mental training; and Physical Education and a Beautiful Body about women’s exercise in the 1800s.
Can you share your music playlist?
I have a high energy workout playlist that is especially good for running. It’s full of silly songs about guilty pleasures.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stop worrying so much about short-term goals and think about what you set for yourself in a year or ten years from now. I have received this advice in various forms over the years, and I am finally beginning to believe it.
What problem are you still trying to solve?
We approach the competition with confidence. I am currently preparing for the second weightlifting competition, but in the past I have already participated in several races and roller derby fights. It is always difficult to show yourself ideally prepared, physically and mentally, but able to cope with any setbacks or surprises.