That's Fit

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

I just got done chatting with myself....I think. No, it probably wasn't me. The person on the other end of my conversation is world famous and has a couple of of Olympic medals. Nope...it couldn't have been me. But! The other person sounded like me. I asked her questions about health and fitness, and she spat out the same stuff I've spent my professional life teaching. This person raved about the benefits of produce, lean meats and frequent challenging exercise. Yes. It could've been a brilliant fitness expert I was conversing with, but it wasn't. It was champion ice skater and Olympic Sliver Medalist, Sasha Cohen.

I chose Sasha to interview, because of her elite success in athletics. She's also touring with Smucker's Stars on Ice and puts on one heck of a show. She's one of the strongest, most flexible and entertaining athletes on earth. Beyond that...she turned out to be one of the best people I've ever talked fitness with. The girl gets it. I mean, she really gets it! She's a chic who seeks out highly nutritious, low fat, high fiber foods whenever she picks up a fork. She also pursues a well-rounded workout routine outside of skating. I loved what she had to say. I want you to pay close attention as well. She's physically small, but not just because of good genes. She works at it, and I believe she'll always be fit. It's a lifestyle for her, and that's what it should be for you.

Fitz: You're a brilliant skater and make a tremendously difficult sport look effortless. Do you remember when skating was hard?

Sasha: Oh Gosh! Skating is always hard. Sometimes it's a challenge to simply put one foot in front of the other. Every day requires effort just to get through it.

Fitz: My sport is kickboxing, and it takes great strength to get my bare foot up on someone's head. Ice skates are heavy! How do you do it?

Sasha: You know, the are very heavy. I think they're about two pounds each. But I train very hard and by the time a show or competition arrives, they just feel like a natural continuation of my leg.

Fitz: You've successfully skated at the biggest, best and most important ice skating events in the world. Do you still get nervous?

Sasha: I definitely get nervous. I do because I care. It's just part of the sport though. We put our whole lives into just a few minutes. Each routine means so much.

Fitz: Lack of fitness is certainly not an issue for you. Do you ever still have to think about 'being fit' though?

Sasha: In the off-season I do. After a long break, I have to make a concerted effort to get my cardiovascular endurance and strength back.

Fitz: You are teeny tiny, but do you ever feel like you are having a fat day?

Sasha: Yeah. My weight fluctuates, and I usually gain a few pounds in the off-season. It doesn't stress me out though. It's truly just nice to relax a bit.

Fitz: You're in the midst of the Smucker's Stars on Ice tour right now. What's your training like?

Sasha: Crazy. I do the two and a half hour show, 45 minutes of practice, and stretching for an hour. I feel like I'm in great shape. The routines I'm doing right now require lots of stamina, so my cardio is really strong.

Fitz: What are your eating habits like?

Sasha: I love lots of veggies and fruits, plain yogurt and lean meats. I also drink a bunch of coffee and tea. I love coffee.

Fitz: What's your favorite healthy food?

Sasha: I would have to say either an egg-white omelet or a Caesar salad without croutons and dressing on the side.

Fitz: What's your favorite not-so-healthy food?

Sasha: Ice cream and cookies.

Fitz: What kind of exercise do you do in the off season?

Sasha: I run, do yoga, swim, cycle and do a lot of plyometrics.

Fitz: What works as a kick in the butt to get you going when you don't feel like exercising?

Sasha: Working out with a friend or training outside.

Fitz: What's on your mp3 player?

Sasha: Everything! I have the Beatles, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, ACDC, Madonna and more.

Fitz: How many push-ups can you do?

Sasha: I'm working on improving my upper body strength right now. I think I can do about 10 in a row.

Fitz: Where is your favorite vacation spot, and do you exercise while there?

Sasha: I love to travel and would say my favorite place is anywhere I haven't been before. But...if I had to choose one place I'd say Tahiti. And no, I don't exercise there; I relax.

Fitz: Do you have any advice for raising fit kids?

Sasha: Don't keep junk food in the house. Avoid processed foods, sugar, juices and sodas. Provide lots of fruits, veggies and whole grain products. Nutritious eating counts so much!

Fitz: What advice do you have for the regular Joe or Jane just trying to become more fit?

Sasha: Start slow! You can't go from one extreme to another over night. Make small changes one at a time. You'll learn to live with them and like them that way. If you try to do too much all at once, you'll be miserable and just give up. Also, be careful not to drink your calories. You'd be surprised how many calories you can drink each day!

Fitz: If you weren't a professional ice skater, what would you do?

Sasha: I'd be interested in fashion design, investing, and/or acting.

Fitz: Random thought, but do you think Sacha Baron Cohen uses his middle name, Baron, because of you?

Sasha: Ummm. I never thought of that before, but maybe! Either way I can't wait to see his next movie.

Fitz: Thanks so much Sasha. You're an incredible athlete and role model for anyone with aspirations of becoming more fit. I really enjoyed talking to you. And if the glamorous life of professional skating ever becomes dull, you can come work with me. You'd make a spectacular fitness trainer!

To find out when Sasha will be preforming near you visit StarsOnIce.Com

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