If you’d told me six months ago I’d be training for Hyrox, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because I didn’t think I was capable — but because I had no idea what it actually involved, how intense it is, or how much it would challenge every part of my lifestyle. These days, my weekends aren’t for brunch and lazy mornings. They’re for weighted sled pushes, sandbag lunges, and agonising burpees
In case you’re new to Hyrox — let me explain!
It’s a competitive fitness race designed to test both strength and endurance. Think of it as a mix between CrossFit and a half marathon — except the event is the same worldwide, with standardised stations, making it a real international sport. You run 1km, then complete a functional workout station — and repeat that eight times. It’s no joke.
Hyrox Exercise List: Women
- 1km run
- 1000m SkiErg
- 50m sled push (102kg)
- 50m sled pull (78kg)
- 80m burpee broad jumps
- 1000m row
- 200m farmer’s carry (2 x 16kg)
- 100m sandbag lunges (10kg)
- 75 or 100 wall balls (4kg)
Men’s weights are heavier:
- Sled push: 152kg
- Sled pull: 103kg
- Farmer’s carry: 2 x 24kg
- Sandbag lunge: 20kg
- Wall balls: 6kg
And yes, it’s coming to Excel London in December. That’s the one I’ve got my eye on. I was originally hoping to be ready for the May event, (next week lol) but let’s be honest and just leave that there shall we.
Learning to Train… and Recover
It’s all fun and games imagining yourself doing 50metre sled pushes with a 100 kilo weight, it’s less fun squeaking along the gym floor trying to push the thing with my twig like arms. With all of these intense exercises, comes the need to look after your body — not just by working hard, but by recovering even harder!
This has been one of the biggest shifts for me. I used to push through soreness and underfuel my workouts. But now Fortuna knows better!
I’ve learned that recovery is part of training — and it’s not just about rest days. It’s about getting enough protein, replenishing your muscles, staying hydrated, and doing the small things that add up: magnesium salt baths, mobility work, quality sleep, and proper stretching after every session.
I’ve become so much more in tune with my body. I know when I need to push, and when I need to pause. And I’ve learned to be more thoughtful about the food I eat — especially when it comes to protein.
High Protein Foods For Hyrox
Let’s talk protein — because it’s been a complete game-changer for me.
When you work your muscles hard, especially with explosive movements like sled work and wall balls, you create tiny tears in the muscle fibres. That’s normal. But to repair and rebuild stronger, your body needs amino acids — which it gets from protein. Without enough, you’ll stay sore longer, risk injury (I had terrible joint pain in my right hip back in November, which quite honestly was excruciating – and that’s actually how I really learnt about the value of protein!)
Overall, not enough protein means your progress is stuck on pause.
💪 High-Protein Faves I Reach For Every Week
- Powdered Peanut Butter – like Halenaturals PPB, low in fat and easy to mix into oats, smoothies or yoghurt bowls (more on that below)
- Greek Yoghurt – thick, creamy, and packed with protein (especially the 0% fat versions)
- Cottage Cheese – yes I know, not everyone’s fave texture-wise, but amazing post-workout with some fruit or honey
- Eggs – scrambled, boiled, poached… (Something I’ve started doing is boiling for or 6 eggs in the morning, I have a couple of breakfast and then pop the rest in the fridge and when I’m especially starving I always have a high protein snack to reach for!)
- Tofu or Tempeh – brilliant in stir-fries and air-fried for that yummy crispy edge
- Tinned Tuna or Salmon – affordable, versatile, and easy to throw in a salad.
- Protein Oats – add a scoop of protein powder or PPB for a high-protein brekkie
- Lentils + Chickpeas – plant-based powerhouses (try them roasted for a crunchy snack!)
- Protein Powder – a game-changer for smoothies, baking, or even stirred into coffee
- Edamame – steamed and salted, they’re my go-to sofa snack
- Rotisserie Chicken – a quick, lazy girl hack for throwing on top of literally anything! yummy!
Since upping my protein, I’ve noticed:
- Less post-workout soreness!
- Better energy between sessions
- Faster recovery after heavy days
- Improvements in my skin and hair – my hair is growing so much faster, hoping for shoulder blade length by the summer woo!
I now prioritise it at every meal. But honestly, it’s hard to hit your daily target (about 50g of protein) without some help — especially if you’re on the go or don’t want to be eating chicken / turkey every three hours. Which brings me to something I’ve fallen completely in love with…!!
The Peanut Butter Glow-Up: Why Powdered PB is Everything
I’ve always loved peanut butter — but traditional peanut butter isn’t always the best choice when you’re trying to fuel smart. It can be high in added oils, salt, sugar, and often feels heavy. Even natural versions are calorie-dense, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to support your skin and digestion as well.
And here’s the tea — one of my lovely aunties always brings me back a giant vat of honey roasted peanuts from the US when she visits. I adore them. But whenever I’ve had a bowl of them in the evening… without fail, I wake up the next day with a new spot. There’s definitely something going on with my skin when I’ve had too much oil or sugar, even from something as “harmless” as peanuts.
So I started looking for an alternative. That’s when I found Halenaturals Powdered Peanut Butter — and it’s honestly one of my favourite nutrition swaps of all time.
Why I’m Obsessed with Halenaturals PPB
Let me say this first: Halenaturals.com are the original and the best when it comes to powdered peanut butter in the UK. You can also grab their products from Holland & Barrett, which is super convenient if you’re popping in for vitamins or skincare bits.
Here’s why their PPB is a standout:
- It’s made from roasted peanuts with 85% of the fat removed
- Still gives you 5–6g of protein per serving
- Low calorie, low fat, and zero added sugar or oil
- Super easy to mix into oats, smoothies, yoghurt, baking — even sauces
- Kinder on your digestion and skin-friendly, from my own experience!
It gives me that rich, nutty, slightly toasted flavour I love — but without the heaviness. And it actually keeps me full. It’s been such a comforting, protein-rich addition to my day, especially after those high-intensity sessions when I just need something satisfying but clean.
Final Thoughts: It’s All a Journey
Hyrox has pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s taught me how strong I am — but also how much care and intention my body really needs. It’s not just about going harder. It’s about training smarter, recovering fully, and fuelling with foods that support your goals.
Halenaturals Powdered Peanut Butter has been a quiet little star in my routine. It tastes like comfort, delivers that protein hit, and genuinely feels better in my body than traditional nut butters or snacks. I’ll definitely be sticking with it through the rest of my Hyrox prep.
You can find it at HaleNaturals.com or grab a tub from Holland & Barrett if you’re restocking your supplements.
See you in December at Excel London!
Fortuna
xx
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