Phelps: I'm Not a Sex Symbol

For the first time since winning his eighth gold medal, because of an intense press tour and everything that goes along with being Michael Phelps, the star swimmer finally went back into the environment where he feels the most comfortable. The pool.

"It was painful," Phelps said afterwards.

In his hometown of Baltimore, the 23-year-old revealed his new series of Kellogg's cereal boxes.

He went on to admit, "I'm a little out of shape. But I will be able to get back. I am going to start working out more."

By appearing alongside Tony the Tiger and the rest of the Kelloggs gang, Phelps received, among other things, a $250,000 check for the newly minted Michael Phelps Foundation (whose goal is to promote youth swimming).

Phelps's foundation, according to the swimmer, will be his focus until his training for the 2012 Olympics begins in February.

"I think the little guys, the kids in the world, are going to be me in 10 years or so," he says. "So I'm just trying to promote a happy, healthy lifestyle."