Shawn Johnson's Fitness Challenge with Husband Sparks Conversation

Shawn Johnson is doing a "couples challenge" with her husband Andrew East. In a new social media post the gymnast shows off her super fit figure while dancing with her man as part of a challenge, sparking conversation amongst her followers. "If my husband and I could even do half of that, I'm certain the other half would result in me breaking my neck," one joked. "Crushed it," added another. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

"My go-to breakfast would be an egg white omelet, toast with Smucker's strawberry jam, and green tea," she told The New Potato. Shawn fuels her body up with protein before and after her workouts. "Before my workouts I usually drink a protein smoothie with a piece of fruit," she said. "After my workouts I eat anything from a PB&J to grilled chicken." According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.

Shawn mixes up her workout. One in particular she is a fan of? Cycling. "I love SoulCycle," she told The New Potato. The Cleveland Clinic explains that biking, a low-impact aerobic exercise, is excellent for building muscle, improving strength and flexibility, and improving balance. It can also boost mental health and help other health conditions, including arthritis.

Shawn understands the importance of stretching. "I stretch every part of my body before tumbling in the gym, beginning with a simple cat stretch. Before running I always stretch my hamstrings so that I won't cramp up while running long distances," she says. "Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints," says Harvard Health. "Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage."

In her recent post, Shawn shows off her dance moves. Dancing is an excellent workout for many reasons. It builds strength and promotes flexibility, helps you lose weight, and even promotes cardiovascular function. A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine determined that people who engaged in moderate-intensity dancing were 46 percent less likely to develop or die from heart disease than non-dancers. In comparison, moderate-intensity walkers were just 25 percent less likely to suffer heart health issues.

Shawn has spent the majority of her life as a gymnast. "Gymnastics literally uses every muscle you have," she told the publication. According to Pinnacle Gymnastics, there are physical and mental benefits of gymnastics. Physical benefits include flexibility, balance, and muscular strength. "These skills improve bone health and delay the development of high blood pressure," they say.