Friday Edition - July Babies Excercise Challenge

Many people find that, even when they lose body fat, some areas never seem to slim down (i.e., the belly, hips and thighs). If you've been doing a zillion crunches on your quest for six-pack abs, remember: Spot training doesn't work. You can't do crunches to reduce your belly fat or leg lifts to reduce cellulite around the thighs. To slim down, you have to lose body fat. Cardio, weight training and diet are three crucial components to losing fat. Even losing body fat doesn't guarantee perfection. Your body decides where and when it loses fat, not you. Let your body do it's thing...you can't control your genetics. Focus on what you can control: Your diet and exercise program. Appreciate the results you DO get and learn to love your body, even the parts the jiggle sometimes. So what have you done today? Mary 415/168/147 21 lbs to Personal Goal 12 lbs below Doctors Goal In the words of Bill Phillips': "Exercise is the spark. Nutrition is the fuel. Without both, there can be no flame -- no results."

These are great tidbits... Thanks for sharing... This one hits home for me. I am pear shaped. Most of my results are apparent above the waist. My chest is almost nonexistent, but my hip line is definitely present and accounted for!

Denise, We must be sisters...I am built the same way and that is how I have been loosing. My surgeon told me it would be that way, he said the bottom heavy people loose their top half first and vica-versa. My daughter grabs my collar bone from time to time and does the "I can snap you like a chicken" routine from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". A chest what is that?????? I am as flat as a crepe (not a pancake)...okay..I can put the women in National Geographics to shame...I think they would cry if they saw me. Mary

Mary, Wanted to let you know my daughter and I are wearing red today. Plus we are giving an extra 5% discount on purchases by women wearing red today in our shop. I went to the gym this morning and did 15 minutes on the treadmill with no incline at a 2.8 mph speed. Then I did 16 minutes on the weight loss program with 3% incline for half of that time--all at 2.5 mph speed. I was so proud of myself. Then I did 30 circuit training. I cannot do the leg press machine even without any weight because it hurts my left knee so much I can hardly walk. My instructor taught me how to exercise the same muscles with a very slight knee bends. Tonight I will do 60 miinutes on the Gazelle. Monna

Monna, Thank you for remembering and supporting! Your workouts are so awesome I am in awe of your progress! Whe you have professional assistance it make the world of difference. You are already becoming a gym rat just like me. Mary

I did the 2 mile WATP High Calorie Burn this morning - I'm going to hold off on the weights for awhile - I think I pulled some muscles in my upper back and shoulders. I'll do the walking part but not the weights. I'll do the WalkBlaster this evening. I ordered a few more tapes so that I can vary my workout - can't wait until they come!! Hugs, Nancy

Nancy, Take care of those sore muscle try icing them for the next few days then try heating them. Sounds weird but it does work. Keep up with the great workouts. I bet your just waiting with baited breath for thise tapes. I remember when I first decide to try pilates I did so from home prior to going to a formal class and I could not wait for the next set of DVD's. Mary

Today's workout included 20 minutes on the eliptical 139 avg HR and upper and lower body weight training. Mary