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Shawn Johnson Talks Weight Loss and Learning to Love Her Body

espnW — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:26 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Follow hers other Olympic hopefuls' journeys on espnW.com.

Four years ago, I was standing on an Olympic podium, wearing a gold medal, and still thinking to myself how I could have been better. It had nothing to do with my performance - it was all how I looked. Back then, I always felt like I could have been a few pounds lighter. But the irony is, when I look back at the pictures, I look unhealthy and too thin. It's easy to get into a trap as an elite athlete, because you're made to feel that you're never perfect, that you can always be better. That's how you improve in your sport, but it's also tough because you aren't satisfied with yourself ever - it's second nature not to be. I'd always think, "Just get a little stronger, a little lighter," until it was completely ingrained in my mind.

Shawn Johnson takes us inside training camp

It's easy for people to blame gymnastics for this mentality, but I feel like the sport has improved a lot. The horror stories we heard from generations ago (think Joan Ryan's infamous book Little Girls in Pretty Boxes), you don't hear at all anymore. But I do believe it can improve further and that good nutrition could be a key to all of this, if it were only taught at a young age. Many gymnasts go into the elite level at 13 or so, and a 13-year-old isn't going to go to the library to read some book on nutrition! She needs to be given the right information on how to eat well. Otherwise, it's not until she's out of the sport that she realizes the damage she's done to her body by not eating enough over the past 20 years.

Shawn Johnson in the driver's seat

I see all the success we have as a country where the gymnasts aren't 100 percent healthy, and I imagine how amazing we could be if we were doing it in the healthiest way possible. I don't think it's a failure on anybody's part; the education just isn't there right now, and it's just not thought about in our sport. My parents have told me since I was little, "You're given your body for a reason. It's OK to be different. Being unique is a good thing." But I always struggled to believe it. I'm stocky, muscular and short, and I wanted to be thin and flexible so bad! My mom would say, "You're not made that way, and you're not going to become that, so you have to learn to accept and love the body you're in." Well, some people are born with that appreciation, and some people have to work really hard to get there. Put me in that second camp.

Read on for more on what Shawn Johnson has to say about body confidence and how she feels in her gymnastics leotard.

Olympic Pros Shawn Johnson, Natalie Coughlin, and Mia Hamm Share Their Healthy Snack Ideas

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:25:59 PDT

Being an Olympic veteran means three things: you're a world-class athlete, you're used to hectic schedules, and you know how to travel smart. So who better to ask about how to stay healthy while being on the go than a few famous Olympic athletes? Whether you're snacking at home or need something to grab and go, here are recommendations from veteran Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Mia Hamm, and Shawn Johnson.

When traveling: It's all about "making sure you plan ahead and bring stuff with you, whether it's trail mix or an [energy] bar," soccer star Mia tells us. Gymnast Shawn recommends KIND bars because they are all natural and come in "fun flavors such as almond and coconut and apple cinnamon and pecan. They're surprisingly good," she tells ESPNw. Swimmer Natalie loves making her own energy bars - get her dried plum energy bar recipe here.

At home or work: Natalie is more than just a decorated Olympic swimmer; she's also an avid home cook and gardener. Natalie shared with YumSugar one of her favorite healthy snacks for Spring: "I love just having a really good baguette with good, high-quality butter (just a tiny bit of butter) and fresh sliced radishes with salt on top," she recommends. Shawn is all about snacking on veggies as well: she pairs peppers with hummus for a crunchy, filling snack.

Read on for more snack ideas from these famous Olympians!

Shawn Johnson Takes Us Inside Training Camp

espnW — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:04:59 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Follow her journey and other Olympic hopefuls on espnW.com.

Say "camp" to an ordinary kid and she'll probably tell you about bonfires and sing-alongs and arts and crafts. Say it to an elite gymnast, and she'll tell you camp is every four weeks outside New Waverly, Texas, at "the ranch" - the national team training center.

Shawn Johnson in the Driver's Seat

The ranch is a lot different than it sounds. Yes, there are animals (camels, peacocks and lots of deer!), but it's also fully equipped with multiple gyms, a row of cabins for gymnasts, a separate row for their coaches and dining facilities. It's an honor to be asked to attend the national team camps, but spending a few days there is also really hard work, especially for a slightly older body like mine. I'm used to it, though - after all, I've been going to camp since I was 12 years old, and I'm now 20.

When we're there, we wake up around 6:45 a.m. and head straight for breakfast. Most of the girls grab eggs and coffee before we go back to our cabins and get ready to hit the gym. National team coordinator Martha Karolyi has an unwritten rule: If you're not 30 minutes early to practice, you're late. So although practice starts at 8:30, we all get there at 8. We get heat packs, get taped and do whatever we need to get ready, then sit in a loose circle on the floor and wait. At 8:30 on the dot, Martha walks out of the office. It's a signal - we stand up, line up and address her. She gives our assignments for the day, and we start practice.

My last camp, three weeks ago, was just a check-in for me. I'm not competition-ready yet, but it was good to be in the gym, working alongside all of the other girls. I'm impressed by them all, but I try not to watch too much because it makes me nervous. I don't want to compare myself to them yet; because of my knee injury and rehab, I'm not where they are right now.

Shawn Johnson Rehabbing, Eyeing London

Read on for more of a day in the life of Shawn Johnson at training camp.

5 Motivational Secrets From Olympian Shawn Johnson

espnW — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:06:33 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson will blog for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Read her full entry here and follow her journey on Shawn Johnson rehabbing, eyeing London

Going into this year, I have been trying not to have too many big expectations. One thing you hear a lot from gymnasts is that they just want to do what they're capable of. To me, that means getting completely healthy and in top Olympic shape. Thinking about the Olympics can get a little too overwhelming at times, so I try to make the smaller goals more important: having good practices each day, getting my knee back to normal, keeping myself healthy and happy and doing what I love. That's what it was all about in the beginning, and hopefully that's what will get me back to the Games.

Keep reading to see how Shawn stays motivated.

Gymnast Shawn Johnson Dreams of Making the Team

Susi May — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:35:22 PST

Shawn Johnson never officially retired from gymnastics. Although she toyed with the idea after the 2008 games, she's once again set her sights on the Olympics. But the decision to step back into competition wasn't simple. It took a a self-described "garage sale" wipeout on the ski slopes to end her indecision. Ironically, skiing, the only activity Shawn's long-time coach Liang Chow (they've worked together since she was 6) considered completely off-limits, brought her back into the game.

At a recent event at Nike headquarters, in Beaverton, OR, Shawn told me that after learning the results of her postaccident MRI, she drove straight to the gym and told Chow she wanted to come back even though she had torn two ligaments in her knee, torn her meniscus (the cushion of cartilage that sits between the thigh and the tibia, or shin bone), and ripped her hamstrings. "Instead of thinking, 'I'll never be able to come back now,' the first thing that came to me was, 'I have to go back.' It was kind of a motivation to me to get healthy again and to rehab myself . . . I really like to make things hard, and I don't like things that are easy."

Keep reading to learn more about Shawn's comeback.

Michael Phelps Cleans Up at the Star-Studded ESPY Awards

PopSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:01 PDT

Many celebs hit the red carpet last night at the ESPY awards in LA to honor the stars of the sports industry. Samuel L. Jackson was the evening's host, and he kept the audience laughing with his jokes about Twitter. Zachary Quinto took the stage looking dapper in his suit, while Miranda Kerr smiled for photos before the scary robbery at Orlando Bloom's house. Demi Moore was also on hand to present Michael Phelps with one of his five awards. It might not have been as snazzy as last year's Justin Timberlake's ESPY hosting gig, but the athletes and stars looked fantastic for the sports-filled night.

Michael wasn't the only one getting trophies - Hollywood's beloved Lakers won Best Team. Other presenters included Rashida Jones and Jeremy Piven, while funny men Andy Samberg and Seth Meyers watched alongside Billy Crudup. The festivities are set to air Sunday evening on ESPN.

To see lots more photos including Kendra Wilkinson, Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven and others just

View 80 Photos ›

Images include: Andy Samberg, Jaime Pressly, Kendra Wilkenson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, Rashida Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Seth Meyers, Wyclef Jean, Shawn Johnson, Miranda Kerr, Billy Crudup, Condoleezza Rice, Zachary Levi, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Jeremy Piven, Marisa Miller, Olivia Wilde, Rob Lowe, Stevie Wonder, Will.i.am

Ed, Bar, and Kellan Are Young and Award-Worthy in Hollywood

PopSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:30:55 PDT

The next generation of entertainers hit the red carpet in LA last night at the Young Hollywood Awards. There were plenty of statues to go around at the star-studded ceremony, with Ed Westwick, Emile Hirsch, AnnaLynne McCord, and Adam Lambert taking home honors. Adam found time to show off his vampire moves with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, while Bar Refaeli and Kellan Lutz made the rounds together. The celebs hit a gifting suite and posed for photos backstage then celebrated their wins at an afterparty with DJ AM.

To see more from the event, including Evan Rachel Wood, Simon Rex, and Shawn Johnson, just

View 50 Photos ›

Images include: Adam Lambert, AnnaLynne McCord, Bar Refaeli, Catherine Hardwicke, Ed Westwick, Emile Hirsch, Evan Rachel Wood, DJ AM, Joely Richardson, Katharine McPhee, Kara DioGuardi, Kellan Lutz, Madeline Zima, Micah Alberti, Patricia Clarkson, Rumer Willis, Shawn Johnson, Simon Rex

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Hills Girls and Celebrity Parents Make Time to Be Heroes

Molly — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:00:00 PDT

Big-hearted stars of all ages got together for a sunny afternoon in LA yesterday at the 20th annual A Time For Heroes Celebrity Carnival to support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz brought Bronx to his first charity event, where he stayed close to mom and dad at the t-shirt making booth - check out an adorable video of Bronx below. Heidi Klum was there with her three kids who could not get enough of the giant slide. Most of The Hills girls made appearances though Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth showed up after Kristin Cavallari had already done her red carpet walk. Stephanie Pratt was preoccupied thinking about Heidi and Spencer down in Costa Rica while Lo joked that the carnival was more her speed than bug eating when it comes to charity. The Disney stars were also out in full force including Selena Gomez and a performance by Miley Cyrus to round out the day of philanthropy, delicious food and wholesome fun for so many families.

To see cute video of Ashlee and Bronx as well as lots of photos including Vanessa Minnillo, Nick Lachey, Melissa Joan Hart and others just

View 55 Photos ›

Images include: Ali Landry, Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz, Bronx Wentz, Donald Faison, Dwyane Wade, Shenae Grimes, Kristin Cavallari, Lauren Conrad, Lauren Bosworth, Vanessa Minnillo, Nick Lachey, Melissa Joan Hart, Shawn Johnson, Miley Cyrus, Brendan Joseph Wahlberg, Mark Wahlberg, Heidi Klum

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Are You Happy With the Dancing With the Stars Winner?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:00:54 PDT

This season's Dancing With the Stars winner is Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson! At the age of 17, Johnson is the show's youngest competitor and she just barely beat actor Gilles Marini and his partner Cheryl Burke for the mirror ball trophy.

The competition was fierce indeed - right down to the last minute. Johnson and her partner Mark Ballas edged out Marini, "the front-runner and judges' favorite, by less than one percent of the viewers' votes."

Less than one percent! Wow. So who were you rooting for? Are you glad the mirror trophy is now in Johnson's hot little hands? Or did you want Gilles (or Melissa!) to win?

Diet Tips From Dancing With the Stars

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:00:00 PDT

If you're following this season of Dancing With the Stars, you've probably noticed the dancers' amazingly toned and strong bodies in their sexy and revealing costumes. If you're wondering how they stay fit and lean, here are some of the dieting secrets they shared in a recent issue of Us Weekly.
Melissa Rycroft says, "I eat what I like in moderation and try to have a few small meals throughout the day."

Julianne Hough says, "I eat only until I'm full." She eats five small meals throughout the day, and during the show she tries to cut out carbs and sweets. She doesn't restrict herself entirely, though, and says, "If I want to have dessert, I'll have it. I know I'll work it off."

Shawn Johnson loads up on fruit and protein, but if she has an urge for chocolate she says, "I'll satisfy my craving and move on." She stays slim and muscular by dancing eight hours a day.

Denise Richards trained with her partner Makism Chmerkovsky and got her abs back after having two kids. She went from a size 26 waist to a 24 from all that training, and was still eating pizza and ice cream.

To see how the other dancers stay trim,

Kym Johnson spends a lot of time doing core work to get her rock-hard abs. She also limits her carbs because she says, "I love fries and bread, but I see a real difference in my body when I don't eat them after 5 p.m." She'll still enjoy dessert when out to dinner with her boyfriend, but just a small portion.

Lil' Kim gets her meals and snacks from Freshology, a food delivery service. She eats a total of 1,200 to 1,400 calories a day, avoids heavy foods, and drinks a lot of water.

Lacey Schwimmer shed 10 pounds by ditching fatty foods and soda, and instead enjoys grilled chicken, steamed veggies, yogurt, and fruit. She recommends eating within an hour after working out.

Cheryl Burke dropped 10 pounds as well, by rehearsing eight hours a day, five days a week. She eats egg whites, whole grains, veggies, and lots of water. She also tries to avoid salt, and keeps snacks with her to avoid temptation.

Karina Smirnoff avoids meat but eats egg whites, fish, and salad. She has a tablespoon of olive oil on an empty stomach to help with digestion.

Holly Madison avoids liquid calories and drinks water instead.

Edyta Sliwinska sticks to 1,500 calories a day, eating foods such as cottage cheese, ground oats, berries, chicken salad, and cereal. She avoids pasta, bread, rice, and candy. She gets her toned legs from dancing in heels.

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