May 20, 2013 Last Updated: 02:19 PM EDT

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2012 Beach Volleyball Olympics: Misty May -Treanor and Kerri Walsh Bikini Body Secrets

By Kadia Blagrove , FashionnStyle Reporter   |   Aug 07, 2012 12:21 AM EDT

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Photo : Reuters)

American volleyball champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are "crushing" their opponents in London. The two powerhouses are advancing to the Olympic semifinals aiming for their third gold medal. May-Treanor and Walsh beat Italy 21-13, 21-3. On Tuesday, the pair will play against Beijing bronze medalists Xue Chen and Zhang Xi.

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May-Treanor and Walsh continue to bring that American girl power and look great doing it. Ripped abs, tone thighs and legs, and a fit and perky bum - the gold medalists are clearly unfazed by the bikini uniform controversy. As they prepared for the Games last month, the women shared some of their health and workout secrets.

The athletes do a lot of lower body work-outs using a Swiss Ball.  Lunge backs, leg ballet stretches, and hamstring curls are just some of the moves May-Treanor and Walsh do to keep in tip-top shape.  Another effective method for the pair is training in the sand. The volleyball players naturally work out on the beach. The sand provides some resistance making a full-body workout even tougher.

The ladies get their fuel with the right meal.  May-Treanor's,35, favorite power food is Greek yogurt and honey; it gives her the energy needed for an Olympic champ. The American athlete is also a fan of colorful foods. "The more colorful the food, the better. I try to add color to my diet, which means vegetables and fruits," May-Treanor told Eating Well. Despite how disciplined she is, she still satisfies her appetite even if it's not craving for fruit and veggies. "If I need the sugar or something my body is craving, I'm not one to steer away from eating it." She also added "It's important to listen to your body. [...] It's OK to have things in moderation." Walsh,33, shared her diet tips that reduce bulge and increase metabolism. The athletic mom swears by a good breakfast, a meal that should never be missed. Walsh also eats five to six small meals a day and drinks plenty of water. To achieve a body like the volleyball stars, your diet must include fiber rich foods like oatmeal and whole grains, foods rich in vitamin B like lean meats and yogurt, and foods rich in vitamin C like berries and dark leafy veggies. 

Unless you've been training as an athlete your whole life, an Olympian lifestyle can be hard to follow. Use the tips as a guideline and work at your own pace. Even May-Treanor can get a little tired from the constant workout. "Rest and recovery is equally as important as the extra exercise. So for me, I've learned to actually kick my feet up and get more bodywork done, take breaks when I need to, rest."

The ladies are pure inspiration for fitness goals.  "Playing volleyball is great for your tushy - I wish everyone could play!" the toned Walsh said "We all want cute buns to fit in our jeans and look cute - it sounds so lame but it makes me feel really good."  Quite a tempting result to keep anyone motivated.

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