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Nastia Liukin in Bathing Suit "Daydreams About Hawaii"

Here's how she stays fit.

Gymnast Nastia Liukin is like all of us…in the fact that she wants to be in Hawaii right now, and desires warmer weather to arrive soon. Liukin posted a stunning new photo on Instagram of a previous beach trip she took. She posed by the water in a tiger stripe one piece, showing off her body. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Nastia Liukin stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1

She's Not Afraid To Push Herself

Being an Olympian is a great accomplishment, however, it also comes with a lot of difficulties. Many Olympic athletes are open about the pressure they face to show up and represent their country, especially after previous success. Liukin says that she didn't let this pressure get to her, even when she came into the 2012 trials injured. Liukin tells Coveteur that she didn't want to live life with any regrets, and still pushed herself to try. "I won gold at the 2008 Olympics. So when people started talking 2012, I didn't want to be on the sidelines thinking, 'What if? What if I'd tried out?' Ignoring that I had an injured labrum and torn rotator cuff—with no time for surgery—I powered through and trained…and fell flat on my face during trials. I knew my dreams of a second Olympics were over, but I pulled myself up and finished the routine anyway, and, amazingly, it was the first standing ovation of my career—20,000 people on their feet, applauding because I'd finished. That's wellness to me: realizing that life isn't about winning. That it's about finishing what you started and enjoying the journey along the way."

2

She Takes Care Of Her Mental Health

Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Liukin tells Coveteur that she makes sure to take care of her mental health, especially after retiring from gymnastics. She says that she does a lot of things each day that helps take care of her mental health. "It's funny because, as a gymnast, I was always physically exhausted—now that I'm retired, I'm more mentally exhausted. So, I like to write my thoughts in a journal; if I don't have my journal, I write in my phone. But, really, my mental health revolves around two things: meditating, which to me is just closing my eyes and taking deep breaths and stepping away from my phone."

3

She Alternates Her Workouts

Sarah Morris/Getty Images

Liukin says to Coveteur that she likes to alternate the type of exercises she does. She says that she does this to target different areas of her body, and keep herself interested in working out. "I never like to do the same routine two days in a row, and I like to alternate between boxing, yoga and pilates—especially boxing because it's toning and cardio at the same time."

4

She Makes Time To Exercise On Vacation

Allen Berezovsky/WireImage

While Liukin might not be an athlete anymore, she still makes working out a priority. Liukin says to Coveteur that she still works out when she's on vacation, even if it's just a quick session. "When I'm on the road, I still make sure to get the blood pumping every day—even if it's just a few squats and push-ups in my hotel room."

5

She Doesn't Sleep In Anymore

Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

Liukin revealed on her website that she loves to sleep. However, she says that she's trying to break her past habits of sleeping in, and hitting the snooze button. "I'd become a classic 'snoozer', continuing to want just five more minutes of extra zzz's," she writes. Liukin says that she has found some products and rituals that have helped her avoid sleeping in. "I've found the Hatch Restore is essential for my sleep- allowing me not to hit snooze and gradually wake up feeling more rested and ready to take on the day. Setting my phone on a table away from my bed was also a huge help for me, too

Anna Bechtel
Anna Bechtel is a freelance writer currently based in Hamden, CT. Read more
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