Denise Austin: Quick Help for 5 'Fat Zones'

Monday, 10 Jun 2013 08:50 AM

By Lynn Allison

With bathing suit season fast approaching, many people agonize over specific problem areas of their body.  Leading fitness guru Denise Austin tells Newsmax Health there are simple exercises you can do to target and tighten any of what she calls the “five fat zones,” which include the belly, butt, thighs, back, and arms.

“These exercises really do work,” she says. “For example, my problem area is my outer thighs. When I do specific exercises to target those muscles, I can see the difference. When you exercise a certain area, you tighten the muscles which makes them contract and you lose inches.”

Austin recommends brisk walking or other cardiovascular activity daily for 30 minutes to shed fat all over. Here are other exercises to shrink the top five fat zones.

Back: Nothing ruins a strapless dress like a flabby back. Hold a 5-pound weight in each hand, clutching them to your chest. Bend your knees slightly and lean over at the waist slightly. Then lift your arms outward until the weights are even with your shoulders, keeping your elbows bent. Return the weights to your chest and repeat, doing reps for a full minute.

Arms: Batwing arms are the bane of most women who love sleeveless tops. Tricep pull backs help tone and shape the upper arms. Standing with a 5-pound weight in each hand, bend your knees and lean slightly forward. Let your arms dangle downward, then extend them straight back behind you as far as you can. Elbows should remain close to your sides as you extend. Repeat for 1 minute.

Belly: The best overall exercise to chisel and tone the entire core area is the plank position, says Austin. She prefers the front plank, which is executed while lying face down. Prop yourself up on your forearms and your knees. Then pull your knees off the floor, supporting yourself on your toes and forearms. Your back should be straight with your butt down. Hold the position for a full minute, dropping to your knees momentarily if needed to rest.

Thighs: To get rid of saddlebag thighs this simple exercise does the trick, says Austin. Lie on your side, legs straight, resting your head comfortably on your outstretched arm. Raise your top leg slightly and make small circles about the circumference of a cantaloupe. Move in one direction for 30 seconds and then reverse the circle for another 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

Butt: You can lift and tone your butt as well as strengthen your back by doing an exercise called the bridge. Lie on your back, knees bent and together. Place feet firmly on the floor about 6 inches from your butt. Lift your butt and lower back off the floor slowly and with control. Slowly lower yourself back to the floor and repeat for one minute.

Austin produced a workout video – called Shrink Your 5 Fat Zones – that includes these exercises and more.

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Headline/Denise-Austin-fat-zones-exercise/2013/06/09/id/508868