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A necessary evil.

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Then, after watching her dad compete in a triathlon, she signed up for one.

At the time, she couldn’t do five push-ups in a row.

Once she started to train like an athlete rather than a model, her body changed.

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So did her state of mind.

Now fitter, stronger and happier, Wiedemann (she’s done five triathlons so far!)

shares the best lessons she’s learned along the way.

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Hoodie, Elisabetta Rogiani, $85;Rogiani.com.

Tank, $15;HM.com

Go bigger.

I woke up earlier, cut back on social events and joined a tri team.

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But I never wanted to.

In fact, I set a loftier goal of training and competing in a Half Ironman triathlon."

(Thats a 24-inch box jump.

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Clearly, shes onto something.)

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Pants, $65;Onzie.com.

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Sneakers, $85;Adidas.com

Be the early bird.

“When you train first thing, nothing can get in the way.

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Twice a week, I set a 5 a.m. alarm for swim practice.

(I have a strict ‘no snooze’ policy.)

I drink coffee and read the paper to rev up, and I’m in the pool by 6:30.

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By 8, I’m done with a 2.5-mile swim.

Lots of people are still just getting going.

But my energy and mood are sky-high.

I’m like, This day is my bitch!”

Always make your workout win out.

“As a model, I work long, irregular hours, and I travel.

Thinking about my long-term goals (versus short-term gains) keeps me focused.

So when I’m busy or tired, my workouts aren’t the first thing to go.

That’s because I exercise for two reasons: my physical well-being and my mental well-being.

Without those two things, nothing else can happen in my life.

So even when I’m crunched, exercise is the priority.”

Tank, Alala, $65;AlalaStyle.com.

If the answer is ‘very,’ then I don’t skip.

Know that a couple of days off here or there won’t kill your dreams.

If you take care of yourself, your body will get leaner and fitter in no time.

My goal isn’t just to have one great workout or even a great week of workouts.

It’s to have many, many years of feelingthisstrong."

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Accept your greatness.

“Before I became an athlete, I saw my body as something I had to mold and control.

Yes, I still wish my abs were tighter, though I don’t obsess about them.

Instead, I focus on how capable my body is.

I’ve placed in three triathlons.

I’ve ridden my bike 108 miles in one day.

I’ve gone farther and faster, and I’m stronger than I ever thought possible.

Tank, Nux, $49;NuxUSA.com.

Pants, C9 by Champion, $28;Target.com

Mix it up.

So you’re free to get excitednot boredby your training schedule.

“I think of my weekly workouts as seven playing cards: Three cards are cardio.

Two cards are CrossFit.

One card is yoga.

One card is a rest day.I get to play one card each day of the week.

My only rule: I can’t do the same activity on back-to-back days.”

Tank, Elisabetta Rogiani, $62;Rogiani.com.

Pants, Alala, $95;AlalaStyle.com.

Watch, Rip Curl, $90;Shop.RipCurl.com