{Healthy You} #2 .build your body.

Many of us

[especially women]

are already thinking about summer and how to get that summer body. But that's the question--how? My mom has been asking me for a lot of advice on what kind of exercises will help her to tone her: stomach, legs. She is currently active on the tredmill and exercise bike 5 days a week and does sit-ups to help stabilize her core muscles. My dad has entered a contest to win a trip to Florida at his work for in June and

[naturally]

like every woman she has begun to think about bringing out the swimsuit and those warm-weather clothes. So I have been helping her and thought I would share some of the advice I am giving her with you! Here is my mom:

[lovin' the baggy sweats!]

So the first thing my mom is wanting to do

[and for you too!]

is working on her legs. A good workout for your legs will include some type of movement like walking, running or being on an elliptical. This will help strengthen and tone your quads (thighs), gluts (butt), and calves.

Biking is also good for strengthening your quads and for toning your inner legs

[which is one of my mom's goals].

Next, lunges are a great way to get great legs and a "bikini butt." Make sure when you do a lunge that you keep your knee behind your toe in order to avoid damaging anything in your knee. You can either do a standing lunge where you just stand there and bring your leg forward and go down then bring the leg back and switch to the other leg, or you can do walking lunges where you continue to do them while moving forward like you are walking.

Other leg workouts that are not pictured include squats, side squats, wall sits, calve raises. Also, by increasing your intensity it will work those legs harder.

If you are looking to work on your abs

[another goal of my mother's]

then try doing crunches. Avoid doing full on sit-ups because they can damage your back and you are only actually working your abs for the first 1/3 of the time you are coming up. Only come up until your shoulder blades are off the ground then go back down to the floor. You can either keep your hands behind your ears

[do not interlace your fingers]

or you can leave your arms straight out.

Next is the bicycle crunch. Bring alternating elbows and knees together to work those abs baby!

Another ab workout and arm workout is a push-up. People usually hate push-ups

[I know what you're thinking]

but they are really useful for building strength in your arms and for stabilizing your core. Make sure to keep your back straight the whole time in order to get the best results.

Other ab workouts that are not pictured include the plank, leg lifts, using a ball and doing sit-ups on it.

So I know this is not some full body extraordinary workout but you won't believe what a difference that some of these make. Make sure to increase your intensity every month or so, that way your body doesn't plateau. Staying physically fit can be a challenge for most people, but a lot of these exercises don't even require equipment. If you don't have access to a tredmill, then go on a walk outside.

[If it's cold then bundle up! You might even walk faster and burn more calories!]

You have lots of time, don't stress out! You are well on your way to getting that summer body!

ps. I will keep you posted on my mom's progress!