Staying In Shape With Olympic Medalist Shannon Miller & the Ab Coaster

Shannon Miller… the name is synonymous with all things gymnastics. As the only female gymnast ever to be inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame twice, she is The Most Decorated American Gymnast (male or female). She’s won 7 Olympic medals, including 2 Gold medals, and is a 9 time World Medalist. Kind of brings that song to mind… “Anything you can do I can do better.” Now retired and a new mother, Shannon Miller is focusing on keeping in shape with her Ab Coaster and healthy choices, as well as bringing awareness to childhood obesity and fitness in our society. Once simply known as one of the greatest gymnasts in American history, she is now taking on bigger and brand new roles. Introducing… the many sides of Shannon Miller.

Getting back in shape as a new mother...

“His name is John ‘Rocco’ Falconetti, after his father and great grandfather. He was born on October 28 so he’s approaching 7 months. One of the best things I did early on was go for long walks. You don’t want to do too much until after your 6-week check up and clearance by your doctor. Gentle walking while napping in his stroller helped me physically and mentally. As soon as I had clearance, I started working on my abs. It’s always the last piece of the puzzle and the thing most of us women want to work on first. It’s a great feeling when you can finally zip up your pants again! I used the Ab Coaster prior to my pregnancy and then again after the baby. It’s a great work out and one that doesn’t take a lot of time.”

Keeping fit as a retired gymnast...

“I gained A LOT of weight after I retired. In fact I gained over 4 dress sizes. It was depressing and really took a toll on my self-esteem and confidence. Unfortunately I didn’t know about the Ab Coaster at the time. I tried all the quick fixes that never worked. There is no substitution for hard work. However, the Ab Coaster cuts down your workout time and helps you target those tough areas like the ‘mommy pooch.’”

An Ab Coaster user...

“I really like the Ab Coaster. It’s extremely easy to use whether you are a fitness buff or just starting out. Most people aren’t terribly enthusiastic about getting down on the floor for the typical sit-ups and crunches. This is a great way to make fitness fun. What I like best is that it uses a bottom up approach to targeting your abs. This is the approach we use in gymnastics doing leg lifts and other moves. Most abdominal exercises only target the upper abs. However, you need to target your entire core to reap the most benefit.”

Fighting childhood obesity...

“The Shannon Miller Foundation is dedicated to fighting childhood obesity by raising awareness of the issue and providing opportunities for kids to be active. Kids don’t need to be stuck in a gym or running on a treadmill to be fit. Walking the dog before dinner, playing tag, learning a new sport or jumping rope are all great activities that are fun for kids. Limiting screen time is also important in the fight against childhood obesity. If you’re stuck indoors the Ab Coaster can be a fun way for older kids to stay fit. In addition, we are role models for our children. We can show them that fitness is fun and help them make good decisions for their health from an early age.”

Being a healthy & fitness guru...

“It is critical for us to think about our health and fitness. Not only is heart disease the number one cause of death for women in the US but also we face so many other health issues when we don’t live a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to be physically active 30 minutes most days. The Ab Coaster makes it easy to fit a great work out into your hectic lifestyle.”

On being a leader...

“I am so passionate about this topic that I am launching my company Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women on July 1. Not to leave the men out, but women especially need to take time to stay fit and healthy. For the most part, women take care of everyone else but themselves. But if we don’t focus on our own health we can’t be there for those that need us. We have to find things that make us feel like working out and the Ab Coaster makes you do that. It isn’t intimidating and doesn’t take a lot of your time. You can do it in the comfort of your own home on your own schedule. Making fitness easy is the way to make it part of your lifestyle.”