Don't need to lose weight, just tone up - how?

[crazy88]

Pilates? Something similar? Have 3 young children, youngest only 1 so don't have much time and can't get to any classes so if anyone can recommend a good DVD or that would be great. I have 4 months until my summer holiday and currently resemble Winnie the witch - skinny legs and arms and pot belly!

I am a fan of Jillian Michaels, and her No More Trouble Zones DVD is a great strength and toning workout.

It's about 55 minutes long in total, including warm up and stretch, and consists of seven 6-minute-long circuits which work your whole body from top to toe.

If you're short on time, as you may well be with three young ones, you can choose to do the workout circuit-by-circuit if you can't do the whole thing in one go.

A word or warning - it is hard! If you're not used to strength training, this one will work you hard. But it's great when you finish it!

You will need a set of medium-weight dumb bells and a mat. Obviously I don't know what sort of weight you personally would be comfortable with, but I use 4.5kg weights to do this workout.

Good luck in your endeavours, crazy88!

I do 30 minutes yoga every morning as soon as I wake up. I have a 2 year old so I just make sure he has some breakfast and cbeebies and then ignore any whining :) I found that within 3 weeks I had a noticably flatter stomach, smaller waist and thinner legs and it gets better all the time. It does require making the commitment but its pretty gentle and its also got me started doing an intensive programme which I couldnt have contemplated pre yoga. I use a DVD from a yoga practitioner from Aus - a friend gave me it. I think people normally recommend Barbara somebody.

30 day shred by JM is also very good if you want a shorter workout, it's 30 mins total and meant to be done 6 days per week. I would also definitely recommend strength training, even just body weight exercises - push ups, squats, lunges, planks, tricep dips etc.

All the Davina McCall DVDs are great. I use them when I can't get to the gym. I particularly like Superbody Workout and Body Buff. Both have a choice of two basic workouts about 45 mins, with optional add-ons. If you want something shorter, Davina Fit has a choice of four 30 min workouts.

Have a look at P90X or Insanity workout videos. You can find some online. I do them at home. Super intense and great for toning, especially abs. They are quite hard, but that's why I love them. I feel great after a session.
On youtube you have some fitness channels. One I like is www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight. I used to follow her years on Bodyrock. You may find some inspiration there as well www.bodyrock.tv/. I don't like it now, the style and models have changed and I never go there anymore, but there are tons of videos.
You can start today, or better now!

I'd recommend bodyrock too, you can find them via youtube, and also search for fitness blender on youtube, they have some good workouts.

The main thing you need to do, to get toned, is regular workouts, 5 or 6 times a week, for at least 30 minutes (but you could break it into two 15 minute slots).