Although she's now retired from gymnastics, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson hasn't given up her focus on staying fit and fabulous. She hosts the Nike Women 10K in Chicago on March 10, and will run the 6.2-mile race with her trainer, Jeanette Jenkins. Author of a book about her Olympic journey and quest for a healthy, happy life entitled "Winning Balance: What I've Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams" (click here to learn more), Shawn recently dished to the Chicago Tribune about her workouts and weight.
Shawn typically works out every day. "On Sundays, I do yoga or something relaxing like going for a hike. I do cardio four or five days a week; the other days are sculpting and things like cardio kick boxing," she said. Her trainer Jeanette Jenkins is famed for her emphasis on cardio, which makes her a perfect fit for Shawn. Jeanette has even created a series of exercise DVDs, such as Crunch: Super-Charged Kickbox Party (click here to learn more). And Shawn's enthusiastic about the March 10 run, saying, "It’s exciting. If anyone wants to run past me, they are more than welcome."
When it comes to her weight, Shawn admits that it remains a struggle. "Like nearly every woman in the world I’ve struggled mentally and physically with weight," she confesses. "Unfortunately, I was in a sport where it was ingrained that we had to be perfect. Perfectionism is like a drug; it’s addictive and hard to get rid of." After retiring from gymnastics and experimenting with eating "whatever I wanted," she realized that she needs to continue to watch what she eats. "Mentally and physically, I’m trying to find a healthy, happy place," Shawn reflects. "It’s difficult, especially because the elite mentality is embedded in you."
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