Living the simpElle life: Laura

Here we are! Middle of August 2014! …I never realised I knew so many amazing and inspiring people but I have had a story to share with you every two weeks since the end of 2013! What makes these people so inspiring?! 

No better way to find out the answers than to ask the questions in the form of this mini series – Living the simpElle life – where I talk to someone who has inspired me with their story.

I heard a great phrase last year –

“The Universe is made up of stories, not of atoms”

 – so that is what I want to share with you, stories, to open up the Universe to us all!

Each individual we meet embodies what this blog is about. They have dug deep to find motivation, they have sought inspiration and in doing so become inspirational to others. They have been empowered with knowledge to change and that is what their story will do for the rest of us…

Meet: Laura Pirovano 

I met Laura at least a couple of years ago now via teaching Nike Training Club (NTC) at Clapham Common. She always stood out with her amazing energy, enthusiasm and drive to succeed! 

…here’s Laura’s story…

– {THEN} – 

Elle: What made you decide to start training / running? …What were your plans / goals?

Laura: I didn’t really have a plan; I used to go to a gym near my office that closed when they started to build the Shard. I am the type of person that likes her routine and if I stop my routine I get lost. I was looking into a few gyms near my office and my house but could not find something that I really liked until one day a friend told me about Nike Training Club on Clapham Common. I still remember being scared about my first session, training outdoors was something that never entered into my mind (it was January and very cold) but I really enjoyed the session and came back week after week. I then decided to have a goal and signed for a couple of 10K runs and a half marathon.

– {HOW} – 

Elle: What’s your favourite way to workout?

Laura: I love to combine my workouts, I love to get endorphins from different types of training and push my body to the limits. Training with my friends it is always a plus.  

Elle: What’s your typical weekly schedule?

Laura: I cycle to work on a daily basis and try to train between 3 – 4 times per week made up of 2/3 HIT sessions in the gym, a NTC session on Clapham Common and yoga.

Elle: What / who has been your inspiration?

Laura: I have met quite a few inspiring trainers since I started my fitness journey, they inspire and push me to get better.

Elle: What was the first big difference in you, that made you feel proud and excited?

Laura: I have been training more outdoors than indoors, both in summer and winter with rain and even snow. I would have never imagined in my whole life to do something like that and I am really proud of myself. I am not getting sick any more and I used to have bad sinusitis in winter which is magically gone. 

Elle: Did you make any changes to your diet once you started training?

Laura: I don’t have a very easy relationship with food as I am an emotional eater. I go through a lot of phases where I can be really good or really bad, there is no in between for me. But let’s talk about the really good ones 🙂

When I am training I try to eat more protein, drink protein shakes, amino acids and fish oil for my joints.

I find that when I am training I am eating healthy which means that I can train better, my skin and hair is nicer and my mood is great.

 – {NOW} – 

Elle: How do you track your progress?

Laura: I don’t usually track my progress, as long as I always improve my fitness level I am happy.

Elle: Have your goals changed since you started your journey?

Laura: I didn’t really have any goals when I started; I just wanted to keep exercising until I found out my competitive side.

I did a few 10 km and half marathons and a tough mudder competition.

Elle: How do you keep yourself motivated?

Laura: I try to have a few events to take part in during the year so I keep my training on track. I haven’t planned any event yet in 2014 as I am recovering from an injury so I want to make sure I am 100% recovered before signing up for the next tough mudder or half marathon.

Elle: If you could go back and give advice to the “before” you…or any other person contemplating changing their lifestyle…what would you say?!

Laura: If you are thinking about doing something, then do it. Do not waste time and energy in thinking, follow your gut feelings and enjoy what you are doing.

My other advice would be to buy the right shoes, get a gait analysis and invest some money in a good pair of running or training shoes.

And smile; exercising with a smile on your face makes everything better. 

..so what d’ya think?! 

If you’d like to leave Laura a comment below please do!

If you would like to share your own story please get in touch with me: {Contact Elle}

Until then, keep living that simpElle life 😉 

Elle 🙂