It’s a New Year, Gator Nation, and the Grind is back! The past fall was another successful semester for many of my fellow student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. Our mission at the Gator Grind is to bring the fans closer to Florida Athletics and give a different perspective on the lives of student-athletes. Look out for some new content that will dive deeper into the lives of the Gators. We appreciate all that our fans give up and we hope to share a little with them.
This spring is especially significant for me, as it will be my final season swimming for the Orange and Blue. I am also taking my last course and will graduate in May. I am looking forward to finishing my career with great success in the pool and to my new life to come after graduation. Hopefully you will get to know me and my fellow student-athletes as you follow the Gator Grind.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to eat and swimmers are notorious for their diets. I chronicled all that I ate in a typical day as a fun way to get to know me as well as a way to share a little more about the sport of swimming. Food is fuel for all athletes. We pay very close attention to what we eat. We need to eat well to refuel our bodies and ensure we are recovered from workouts and ready to compete. Here is a little taste, pun intended, of my diet. Enjoy, I know I did!
Breakfast, pre-workout
Greek Yogurt and cereal with banana
Post-workout recovery
Love the protein and carbs!
Breakfast #2, prepared at home.
Second breakfast: Havarti cheese on an ‘Everything’ bagel and apple slices.
Lunch for a busy Day on Campus.
Baked chicken fingers, sweet potato casserole, a clementine, and a calzone with chicken sausage.
Snack, before practice.
Snack before practice: cream cheese, raspberry preserve and peanut butter on wheat bread. YUM.
Practice #2, recovery.
Post practice recovery drink, round 2!
Snack after practice, before dinner.
Snack after practice: stuffed sweet red pepper, filled with rice, lean ground beef, onions and cheese.
Finally, the main show! Dinner. Black bean and quinoa soup and an Angus burger with sweet potato fries—all from one of Gainesville’s finest and most delicious restaurants!
