Quick version
Simon has just completed his annual follow-up with Health Check Man Plus, a comprehensive analysis that provides insight into, among other things, blood lipids, hormones, vitamins, minerals, and liver and kidney function. Here he talks about how the past year of continuous testing has given him deeper insight into his body, recovery and how small adjustments in training and diet can actually be measured.
"I was surprised by how high my vitamin D was – in the middle of the winter darkness"
You just did your annual follow-up – how did it feel to compare this year's results with last year's?
– It felt good, and actually fun to can compare with previous tests. In the app, you can see both the values as numbers and in graphs, so it becomes very clear which trends are positive or negative. I was a little surprised that my vitamin D was so high after the winter. It was confirmation that my diet and supplementation worked well – so now I can reduce the supplements as the spring sun peeks out.
"I want to see that my body can handle the high load"
You already live a very healthy life – why is it still important for you to regularly test your values?
– My lifestyle is definitely healthy. In order to perform well in training and in competitions, you need a strong and healthy body. At the same time, it means a lot of strain to constantly be on the verge of maximum performance. That's why I want to ensure that my body can handle it, that the balance between training and recovery is there.
"Tests have given me the confidence to dare to vary the intensity"
How have the insights from your previous tests influenced your training, diet or recovery?
- The most important thing for me has been the confirmation that everything is working as it should. It means I don't have to think and guess and can instead trust the process. When it comes to training, I've dared to take the plunge more in the periodization - that is, vary the intensity more clearly. After a very tough period, I now dare to include longer recovery periods. It's very easy to push the envelope, but the body often needs more than a day or two to feel tip-top. I have also realized that I need to increase my energy intake to cope with the training volume, especially during more intense periods.
"I look at the big picture – not just one value"
Is there any particular value that you follow especially closely?
– No, I rather try to see the big picture. The body is a complex system where a lot is interconnected. In my case, most things are at good levels, so I focus more on trends and tendencies. I compare it to how I feel in my body and connect it to the training I've done.
"It's easy to get used to feeling okay - even though you could feel better"
What would you say to other elite athletes - or everyday exercisers - who think they know how their body feels?
- I think many people end up with a feeling of acceptance, that "it feels okay", but perhaps have forgotten what it feels like to actually feel really good. Changes don't happen so quickly that you feel it from one day to the next. Instead, it can take a long time and then it's difficult to feel the difference from when it was best to the new normal. Your current low energy levels have become so normalized that your best day may actually just be a perfectly okay day in relation to what you have the capacity for.
"This is something I will continue to do – even after my career"
Now that you have tested yourself continuously for a whole year – what has been the biggest lesson?
– Not taking my health for granted but that it is something that you must cherish in order to maintain. Keeping track of my values and my health is something I will continue to do even when my elite career is over.
Do you also want to see how your lifestyle is reflected on the inside?
Through a health check you can, just like Simon, gain a deeper understanding of how your body feels on the inside. Health Check Man Plus or Health Check Woman Plus provides a comprehensive picture of your blood values and is specially designed for those who want to optimize health, performance and long-term balance.
