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Posted on May 1st 2009 12:00PM by Fitz K.
Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Our fitness expert Fitz sits down with the stars and digs out their great and not-so-great methods for staying healthy.
Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is more fit at 40 than she was at 20, and if you think you can't be über fit too, you should definitely read on. Dara is the perfect example of what exercise can do for you. Here is what the new face of the Got Milk? campaign and author of "Age is Just a Number" has to say about the new book, her body and motherhood.
Fitz: What's your favorite part about being so fit?
Dara: I love the way it makes me feel and how I look.
Fitz: Are you ever critical of your physique?
Dara: Yes, I have my weak parts on my body, but we all have our problem parts. I would like a better rear end!
Fitz: You recently flashed a group of reporters while promoting the Got Milk? campaign. Why?
Dara Torres
Dara Torres promotes her book "Age is Just a Number" at Bookends Bookstore on April 8, 2009 in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Dara Torres Signs Copies Of Her Book "Age Is Just A Number" - April 8, 2009 Bookends Bookstore Ridgewood, NJ United States April 8, 2009 Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage.com To license this image (57159505), contact WireImage.com
Bobby Bank/WireImage.com
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 05: Dara Torres after winning the Women's 50 LC Meter Freestyle during day one of the 2009 USA Swimming Austin Grand Prix on March 5, 2009 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres
Getty Images
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 05: Dara Torres swims in the Women's 50 yard Freestyle preliminaries during day one of the 2009 USA Swimming Austin Grand Prix on March 5, 2009 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres
Getty Images
US swimmers Katie Hoff (L) and Dara Torres (R) arrive for a promotional event to celebrate the end of the Olympic swimming programme in Beijing on August 17, 2008. Hoff's ambitious six-event programme at the Beijing Olympics ended without yielding a gold medal as she failed to qualify for the final of the 800m freestyle. She was pipped for gold by Adlington in the 400m freestyle and settled for bronze in the 400m medley as Australian Stephanie Rice reclaimed the world record from the American, and nabbed a bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay. Torres won silver in the 50-meter women's freestyle event. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US swimmers Katie Hoff (L) and Dara Torres (R) arrive for a promotional event to celebrate the end of the Olympic swimming programme in Beijing on August 17, 2008. Hoff's ambitious six-event programme at the Beijing Olympics ended without yielding a gold medal as she failed to qualify for the final of the 800m freestyle. She was pipped for gold by Adlington in the 400m freestyle and settled for bronze in the 400m medley as Australian Stephanie Rice reclaimed the world record from the American, and nabbed a bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay. Torres won silver in the 50-meter women's freestyle event. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
BEIJING - AUGUST 17: Dara Torres of the United States arrives for the Speedo Athletes party at Wish on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Getty Images for Speedo) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres
Getty Images for Speedo
BEIJING - AUGUST 17: Dara Torres of the United States arrives for the Speedo Athletes party at Wish on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Getty Images for Speedo) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres
Getty Images for Speedo
BEIJING - AUGUST 17: Dara Torres of the United States arrives for the Speedo Athletes party at Wish on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Getty Images for Speedo) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres
Getty Images for Speedo
BEIJING - AUGUST 17: Bronze medalist Cate Campbell of Australia competes against silver medalist Dara Torres of the United States in the Women's 50m Freestyle final held at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 9 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres;Cate Campbell
Getty Images
BEIJING - AUGUST 17: (L-R) Dara Torres, Rebecca Soni, Natalie Coughlin and Christine Magnuson of the United States show off their silver medals in the Women's 50m Freestyle final held at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 9 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dara Torres;Christine Magnuson;Natalie Coughlin;Rebecca Soni
Getty Images
Dara: I was a little upset that someone asked if my photo was airbrushed, which is why I lifted up my shirt. I worked hard to look the way I do, and I wanted to show her there was no airbrushing in the Milk Mustache ad.
Fitz: How has motherhood affected your training, eating, sleep and overall health habits?
Dara: It's affected my sleep some, but also worked to advantage, because when I am flying and have jet lag, I get adjusted quicker. As for eating, I should eat more than I do every once in a while, but I try to be very cognizant of that.
Fitz: How has motherhood taken it's toll on you in the pool?
Dara: At my first swim meet, three weeks post-delivery, I had to make sure I breastfed so I was light in the water.
Fitz: Have any advice for new moms who want to get back in shape quickly?
Dara: Don't push too hard too quick; listen to your body.
Fitz: You have great hair and skin despite spending so much time in harsh elements. Summer is coming -- do you recommend any particular products?
Dara: I use Blue Lizard sunscreen when I am training or in the sun. After I am done training, I use Sisley products for my face and anything that smells like vanilla for my body (like Bath and Body Works).
Fitz: Your book is titled "Age is Just a Number." Do you like your body better now or 20 years ago and why?
Dara: I Like my body now. Twenty years ago, I was still dealing with an eating disorder. I appreciate what goes in my body now and feel like my metabolism is faster. and I look better than I did back then.
Fitz: If a person's goal is to be ripped like you, yet they only have 70 minutes a day to exercise, how do you recommend they spend their time?
Dara: People have to remember that I do this for a living, so looking like this is my life. For those who have less time, incorporate some exercise, whatever you like doing, for that time and you are doing a great job.
