Upper-Body Workout

• If you are a little bottom heavy, a toned upper body will draw attention away from the problem area and create a more proportional look.

• Start with three to five pounds for beginners, eight to 10 pounds for intermediate, and 10 to 15 pounds for advanced. Increase weights as the exercise becomes easier.

On a padded mat, stretch out, face down, resting on your forearms and toes (figure A). Start with a 15-second hold, extending up to 60 to 90 seconds. You can also stretch your calf muscles by rocking forward and back. To intensify the move, try raising one leg and balancing on just one leg.

Rig up an incline bench. If you don’t have a bench, try rolling up three towels to create an incline. Start with two dumbbells and lay on your back, dumbbells lowered near the chest on the side of the body. Press the dumbbells straight up (figure B). Hold abdominal muscles tight during repetitions. Do two sets of 15.

Sit in a chair and lean forward so that your chest touches your knees. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended down by the legs. Pull the arms up in a rowing motion (figure C), until the elbows are even with the back. Release back to the starting position. Don’t raise your head so that your spine remains aligned. Do two sets of 15.