Simple Toning Techniques

Sometimes the simple solution makes the most sense. When you were in Middle School you may have learned some simple exercises. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, and running the lines in the gym helped keep your young body toned and slim.

Walking, jogging, riding your bike - all help kick in those healthy fat burners. Want to be slim and trim? You have to move your body more. Every day!

If you want to enjoy life more in a toned, and healthy body shape - you might want to try some of the simple exercises we all learned in school.

Burn More Fat - Faster

It happens to us all. Our new - or renewed - healthy habits start to yield some noticeable improvements. Maybe your clothes are fitting better - or even way more loose than just a few short months ago. Your self confidence is returning. You're starting to look better in the mirror!

Then it happens - you hit that inevitable wall or rough stretch where your stomach doesn't seem to be as fit and trim as you'd hoped for. Maybe your stamina hasn't reached the level you'd like. Or you still are unable to fit into those skinny clothes you wore just a few years ago.

You're not alone. Many trim and toned healthy folks have felt these very same challenges. And worked through them!

Here's one simple way to burn more fat - faster.

Simply pick up the pace during your workouts. Varying your pace can help your body burn more calories.

Pick any cardio exercise you enjoy ( like running, swimming, rowing, or even your treadmill). Warm up for 2 minutes at a moderate pace, then pick up the pace and put her into really high gear for 30 seconds to a minute. Shoot for the highest intensity you can. Work your body!

Then - Slow down and go for a few minutes at a slower, more normal pace so you can begin to catch-your-breath. As you regain a more normal breathing pattern - it's time to kick it into higher gear again!

Gradually pick up the pace again for a minute or two, then back off again for a few minutes. Slowly return to a more comfortable pace. ( This might take a few minutes - depending on the length of your workout and how much time you need to recover. )

Repeat these steps eight or ten times. ( Less if you start feeling really drained. Don't worry though - you'll get better at this in a matter of weeks!) With these high-speed bursts of energy you'll maximize your weight loss and muscle growth! And - you burn more calories in less time! You burn more fat in less time than you might otherwise!

Add some simple weight-bearing exercise to your routine. Do a couple sets of 10 push ups before you head out for your run. Get an exercise mat and a few pieces of inexpensive home fitness equipment.

Grab your jump rope and sneak in a few minutes whenever you can!

Rafa's Awesome Abs

The U.S. Open is in full swing this week. Each night the fans in New York City are treated to another few hours of incredible athletic performances. Tonight it's Rafa - tomorrow yet another awesome talent will grace the courts at the National Tennis Center.

Those of us watching at home miss some of that incomparable New York excitement - but we still get to see the same great tennis! Those young tennis pros are in the most incredible physical condition. Many of the top money makers have a staff of people they work with - their own coach and a trainer and maybe a strength coach. Awesome abs for these young athletes is the result of hours of sweating in the gym and on the court. They work hard and it shows.

The good news is we - us common tennis lovers - don't have to work quite as long or with the same intensity to enjoy playing our favorite sport! We can have a bunch of good clean fun playing at the local park or at a fancy-pants tennis club. Just give us a new can of balls and a friend to hit with!

And tennis helps you burn some major calories. Playing singles for an hour will leave you ready to enjoy a few cool ones in the shade or at your favorite pub. Have you ever seen a fat tennis player? They run around the court so much they can't possible keep any fat on their slim bodies!

You and I can have abs like Rafa - or slim, toned bodies like Maria or this new little teenager from Atlanta. All we have to do is get out every day ( or most days of the week ) and run off those calories. Whether you choose to run them off chasing a fuzzy little yellow ball or simply running around your neighborhood - you can stay slim and trim just like those young pros!

You and I don't have to spend six figures to hire a bunch of fitness trainers and hitting partners. We can just call up a friend or hit the pavement by ourselves! Tennis is great fun - for a lifetime - and you'll never have to worry about getting fat if you keep playing! Check out a local park or call the nearest tennis club and see if you like it.

Maybe you could take a lesson or get a tennis video to help you get started. Once you play a few times you just might find you've found a great way to have fun and stay fit. You might enjoy mixing it into your weekly fitness schedule for a nice, fun bit of variety!