Exercise for Your Summer Beauty Part 2

Hot Air

Whew! It's hot out! But you need to keep that figure in check right? Here's some more tips to stay fit and looking slim this summer. Again, we aren't experts on this, but some things just make sense:

• If you're not going to sweat at the gym, then don't go! "What?!" you say, "Don't go to the gym? How's that going to help?" It turns out when you go to the gym and don't work hard, you give yourself a false sense of accomplishment. This will make you feel entitled to eat that Ben & Jerry's Half baked pint while sitting on the couch watching Pretty Women... which can in turn lead to weight gain and discouragement. Really mean business when you exercise. While walking the treadmill, you really only burned 20 calories (give or take a few). Studies show that people who go to the gym eat more, so think twice before you walk out the door just to walk on that treadmill!

• So you made it to the treadmill, and said to yourself, "Self, I'm going to work hard at the gym today!" Prove it: Let go of the sides! We aren't kidding: When you hold onto the sides of the treadmill you are decreasing the resistance and that will cause you to think you are working hard when you really aren't. You might as well eliminate the incline and walk because you get the same workout walking without an incline as you will when holding on for dear life at a ridiculous incline.

• Take the stairs! Many people today don't think about taking the stairs. Why should you? The stairwell is hidden in the corner of the lobby way over there, and the elevator is right here at the front door right? Little (or well) did you know that the stairs are a good way to get the heart pumping and tone those legs! Start small and increase the number of steps and the amount of time the stairs are taken.

• Sometimes the exercise routine just isn't enough. Genetics can make it hard to loose weight in certain areas you'd like to look a little slimmer on. Often makeup can help you reach the margin you're looking for. Check out this tip from 101 Lazy Girl Makeover Tips.