Making it all happen: Five new ways to get the body - and the life - you want - Editor's Letter

Shape, May, 2002

Visible fitness results faster. More energy. An appreciation of your body and what it can do. A satisfying lifestyle - and life.

The key to getting these things is to both challenge and care for your body, mind and spirit in brand-new ways. Here are five strategies to get you started:

1. Add advanced and targeted moves. Many times, you've probably heard the axiom, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome" -- right? So, if you're not regularly introducing new, more challenging moves and techniques to your workout, how can you expect different body results? Consider trading in your old workout for a smarter, more focused, total body shape-over. With this month's "Make Over Your Workout" (in our Shape Your Best Life program on page 143), you'll change your shape faster doing fewer moves (only six) with three fun, new training gadgets - a stability ball, cables and a medicine ball. To polish off your most beautiful body, choose the bikini zone you want to work on (upper body; abs; or butt and thighs) and add the two moves to your workout. (See "Get a Beach Body" in our "Essential Guide to Summer" beginning on page 174.)

2. Blast more cardio calories and get fitter at the same time. This month's "Rev Up Your Cardio" workout (on page 132) divulges the best cardio secret of all time: Adding moderate-length, higher-intensity segments - such as running/walking for 10 minutes with one minute of recovery in between segments -- soon will enable you to keep a faster pace (burning more calories) and will make your workouts seem easier (because you'll be fitter).

3. Do the munchies right. "Summer's Best Lowfat Snacks" on page 204 offers you festive mini-recipes that are healthy -- and that you'll actually look forward to eating. Plus, you'll be thrilled to serve them to guests, who will thank you for your calorie-saving savvy.

4. Eat healthy meals by keeping the right foods on hand. Just grab our grocery list (which includes your best brand-name picks for cereal, grains, produce, frozen food and more) so you can eat nutritious, lowfat breakfasts, lunches and dinners all week in "Shop Till You Drop (Pounds)!" on page 154.

5. Take care of your heart (and soul). None of us can afford to stay in a job or relationship that makes us unhappy, is abusive or is simply dissatisfying. These situations erode our health and diminish our spirits. To gain the courage and find your way to make necessary changes, see "Make It Happen" on page 166.

Creating the life you want in any area requires that you make conscious decisions. You need to choose what's right for you. Then see your decisions through, every day, one step at a time.

My best to you,

Barbara Harris, Editor in Chief

barb@weiderpub.com

P.S. Don't miss our exercise cards, page 116.