Sports Health Exercise

Last summer after Nastia Luikin won 5 Medals in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing our AHN fitness expert Fitz had the opportunity to speak to Nastia when she was promoting the Secret Sport Challenge. In this short interview Nastia shares her favorite music to work out to, her thoughts on fitness and how important healthy eating habits are to everyone.

Last night on the ESPN ESPY awards, Gymnast Nastia Liukin was named the Best Female Athlete.

She had this to say about her award on Twitter: OMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!! THANK YOU EVERYONE SOOO MUCH!!!!! I won BEST FEMALE ATHLETE!!!!!!!!!!!! All because of you guys!!!!!!!!” http://www.twitter.com/NLiukin - follow Nastia on Twitter for more info from her or visit her website http://www.nastialiukin.com.

Fitz’s Interview with Nastia Liukin

Fitz: How many hours a week do you train before a competition?

Nastia: Before the Olympics I trained for about seven hours a day. It included about two hours of warming up and conditioning, and the rest of the time was spent practicing routines and skills on the events.

Fitz: If you weren’t a professional athlete/gymnast how do you think you’d pursue fitness?

Nastia: Staying very fit, active and maintaining a healthy diet are very important to maintaining my lifestyle. I think everybody should do some type of exercise whether it’s going to a fitness center or going for a run around your neighborhood. I run two miles, three times a week to keep my endurance up.

Fitz: Tell me about your eating habits.

Nastia: I have always chosen to eat healthy and Organic foods. I was raised to enjoy the value of nutritious foods and the healthy habits have stuck with me. I owe a lot to my parents for teaching me the right eating habits.

Fitz: What’s your favorite healthy food?

Nastia: My favorite food is sushi! I love it and it’s very healthy, so that is a plus!

Fitz: Favorite junk food?

Nastia: Of course everyone has their one favorite thing that you treat yourself with occasionally and mine is ice cream!

Fitz: What’s on your mp3 player?

Nastia: Saving Jane, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Jesse McCartney, Jordan Pruitt.

Fitz: Any secrets to staying fit or eating well consistently?

Nastia: Set goals for yourself. I always set daily, weekly, monthly, and long term goals. Strive to achieve them! Whether it be running a mile everyday for a month, or winning a gold medal at the Olympics, setting goals has played a huge roll in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in my life and my sport.

Fitz: What was the best part of your Olympic success?

Nastia: Winning the All Around gold medal, hands down was the best part of the 2008 Olympic Games. I achieved my biggest dream and goal in my gymnastics career. After winning that Gold, I was able to add a few more medals to my collection. Leaving Beijing with five Olympic medals was more then I would have ever dreamed about. It was also very special to be there with my dad, Valeri, who is also my coach. He competed at the 1988 Olympic Games and won two Gold and two Silver medals.

Fitz: Any advice you can share for average Joe and Jane simply trying to become more fit?

Nastia: Make exercising part of your daily routine. It can be right when you wake up or after your done with a long day. I suggest right when you wake up, because it gets your body going and gets you off to a great start to the day. At the end of a day, you might feel more tired and get lazy. Also, make it fun! Go running with a friend, or just listen to some of your favorite inspiring songs on iPod!

Fitz: Thank you so much for both the interview and for all of the excitement in Bejing; it was a thrill to watch you perform and win. You have certainly done your job setting the standard for elite athleticism and inspiring others to excel as well.

More Celebrity Interviews: Fitzness.com

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