1) Who is Sólveig Sigurðardóttir? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I’m a 22 year old Icelander, crossfitter and a coach at one of the biggest boxes in the world, Crossfit Reykjavík. I have been doing some serious Crossfit for about a year and a half but I first stepped into a box late 2013. I needed to loose some weight after my exchange year in Spain and decided to try this new sport out and I never looked back! Other than Crossfit, I like travelling and exploring new places(especially ones with beautiful nature) and getting my swim on!
2) How many years have you been training?
4 years now, coming into my fifth.
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
Well there have been a few…the first three things that are on top of my mind now are:
First: Not qualifying for the Europe North region this year. I was 10 points out of a qualifying spot after having trained for it all year. The Open exposed some of my biggest weaknesses and it was real eye opening but hard at the same time. I qualified last year so I thought it would be easier now given that I’m in a better shape and maybe I just took it for granted. That wont happen again.
Second: Back injury in 2016, which I’m still dealing with. I got a herniated disc before Regionals 2016 and any bending, squatting and flexing was out of the question for a few months. It resulted in a weak lower back which I need to get stronger now that it’s mostly healed. Many light reps of squatting and deadlifts still irritate it and it gets really stiff from day to day.
Third: Doing so well with my team at the 2017 Games until one of my teammates got hurt so we had to withdraw. It sucked.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like?
I coach almost all mornings and afternoons at Crossfit Reykjavík so I begin my day with session number one and then go straight to coaching two classes. After those ones I put my gear back on and do session number two before coaching until 8pm.
My diet routine is almost always the same from day to day. I’m working with the greatest nutrition coach, Mike Molloy, and we talk every day. He gives me macros and I use My Fitness Pal to track them. My breakfast is always oatmeal with eggwhites and fruit and my lunch is always potatoes, chicken and peanut butter. The evenings vary a bit, depending on my mood.
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition?
Oh so much. I have learned that eating more doesn’t necessarily mean gaining weight. If you keep track on your food you will soon see that you are eating more but still either loosing a little bit of weight or just maintaining your weight. More food is not bad!
I have also seen and felt that getting out of your regular gym and staying someplace different for a while can just do wonders for your mental health. This thing we do can be pretty exhausting sometimes and doing it in a different environment can be just the thing you need.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
Pizza and icecream with candy for dessert
7) one supplement that you could not live without?
I really do not take any supplements but I do take magnesium before bed and it helps me get a good nights sleep.
8) If you had to start out from scratch with your physique what would you do differently and why?
I would focus more on just basic strength, like strict pull ups, dips, push ups, one legged exercises and core strength. I kind of just jumped up a few levels and skipped all that work for butterfly pull ups and back squats. I think my body would have benefitted more from doing strict basic work in the early days.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
I have watched Annie for a year and a half now and she’s just amazing. I train with her all the time and it looks like she’s just effortlessly good but she really works her butt off every day.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Be patient! Develop basic strength first, then you can add the kipping movements and the tricky stuff. So many people have hurt them selves doing movements that trick the mind, like the butterfly kip. Eat more greens and schedule your recovery days. Don’t skip them.
11) What new goals are on the horizon?
I’m going to be in the top 10 at Regionals next year.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Solsigurdardottir on IG!
