Canadian biathlete Christian Gow shares tips to get active this winter
The California Prunes athlete ambassador says the snack provides ‘a nice little burst of energy.’
Christian Gow was just nine years old when he started competing in biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting into one discipline. His dedication to training and commitment to a healthy lifestyle helped
him earn a well-deserved place on Team Canada.
He was part of Canadian biathlon history in 2016, winning bronze in the country’s first-ever men’s relay medal at the worlds. That’s no easy feat: on top of the endurance training needed to cover the ski portion with skill and speed, biathletes need to shoot accurately and confidently while their heart rate is elevated.
Gow happily shares tips that are part of his everyday life, which
may inspire others to live healthier this winter. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated, he points out.
“Find something you enjoy doing. Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be something you look forward to. Find something that’s fun – even better if you can do it with friends to make it a social event too,” says Gow.
As an athlete ambassador for California Prunes, Gow also speaks to the benefits of a healthy,
well-balanced diet.
“I like to keep some California Prunes in my training bag for a quick snack when I’m training,” says the Calgary, Alta. native. “They
are a nice little burst of energy and taste great too. I also like to put them chopped into my salads. I eat salad almost every dinner, so it’s a nice way to change up the flavour.”
Gow’s go-to snack is one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods.
Prunes are high in vitamins and minerals like potassium, copper and boron.
Eating five to six prunes a day can contribute to your bone, heart and digestive health, and they contain antioxidants that can help protect the heart, eyes, memory and immune system. California Prunes are also low-glycemic, so they won’t spike your blood sugar, instead providing a slow, steady energy release to get you through the day.
Like most athletes, Gow thinks of food as fuel, and relies on California Prunes to fuel up both before and after a workout. Of course, it can be challenging to be active in a season when it’s so easy to hibernate.
“I stay motivated to exercise because I really enjoy the way working out makes me feel,” he says. “I notice after a couple of days off that I feel more lethargic and tired. Staying active keeps my energy levels up.”
A healthy lifestyle also includes paying attention to your mental health, which is especially important in the cold winter months.
“I think it is super important to reach out to people for support,” Gow says. “Sometimes it can be really difficult to do that but reaching out is a big part of the battle when you’re feeling down. I might be biased but getting out and enjoying the winter weather can help a lot too!”
Visit californiaprunes.ca for creative ways to enjoy this nutritional powerhouse and to learn more about their health benefits.