SoulCycle instructor, LAURIE COLE, shares what she eats and why she eats it! 

So many SOUL riders have been asking me what I have been eating lately that has been making me so lean. I eat to fuel my body, not to ‘diet.’  This past November , I ran my first marathon in NYC. I  eliminated bread and pasta from my food consumption and only allowed it on a reward type of basis.

There is no magic recipe to weight loss. I live a very active life as a full time fitness instructor and I have been a vegetarian since the age of nine years old. I eat a clean diet and... here it is.. I eat OFTEN; EVERY 3-4 HOURS.  Like any athlete, it’s important to eat within a 75-minute window after any cardiovascular workout. This is the time that the metabolism can process the most efficient calories. In addition, you have to find balance in your workouts and add resistance or weight training to your regimen. This is not only good for the tone of the muscles but the density of your bones. Balance in life is essential.

I think the real key to eating conscientiously is maintaining the following into your daily food choices: whole grains, dark leafy greens, fruit and less processed/fried foods, which offer no nutritional value. When you start to eat this way and add organic choices into your list of foods, it becomes a lifestyle and your tastebuds evolve; but most importantly, your body starts to crave the healthy stuff!  Eating healthy should never be a drag, it should be an experience to savor.


These are some of my favorite energy foods for before and after SOUL:


HARD BOILED EGSS (I EAT ONE A DAY WITH THE YOLK)
OATMEAL WITH FRESH BERRIES
EGGWHITE OMLETTES WITH VEGGIES
PARTIALLY SKIM MILK STRING CHEESE
DRIED MANGO
ZICO COCONUT WATER (ONE SMALL BOTTLE PER DAY)
WASABI RICE CRACKERS (Whole Foods Brand)
TAMARI/SESAME RICE CAKES
WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLAS WITH MOZZARELLA CHEESE
FRESH WHOLE AVOCADO
LOTS OF FRESH ARUGULA LETTUCE WITH LEMON AND OLIVE OIL