Hi All
I have been at this whole exercise/dieting/healthy lifestyle for nearly 2 months now and I have lost 13 pounds which is great. I know that I am on track with my diet and more to the point it is becoming easier to make good choices with food (I have even found myself tallying calories in my head before I decide lol) My problem is exercising and its not the cardio stuff, I don't have a problem doing cardio (I have an exercise bike that I jump on for 30-40 minutes most nights) its the toning exercises. I'm not exactly sure of what I need to do? All I can find is that I should do some sort of toning about 3 times a week but no advice as to what to do or how to do it. I was doing a pilates dvd but I started to get quite a bit of lower back pain so I stopped it. I really don't have any gyms in my area (The closest is 40 minutes away) and with four kids and uni finding the time to go to a gym is well impossible. Any advice? Right now my body fat percentage is so high my bodyfat scales don't even register it so I really need to lose fat and gain muscle. I would really appreciate any advice you guys could give me.
Thanks in Advance
Amity

I am lucky to have a free gym at work. I have been doing squats using a fit ball, and a series of arm exercises using resistance bands. The equipment isn't that expensive, and doesn't take up a lot of room. I considering investing in a fit ball and the bands for use at home. I love what the exercises are doing for my arms. My favourite brand is the Matt Roberts products, he is an English personal trainer, not sure if his books are available here. Good luck with your search for something suitable.

I really like Kathy Smith. She has a great helpful personality, she always stays on top of the latest exercise research and doesn't pass on old workout myths, she emphasises correct FORM (no flinging weights around!), and her workouts are generally pretty fun.

I would highly recommend that you pick up one of videos -- she has a series called Lift Weights to Lose Weight. Either the original video or the more recent Vol 2 will give you all the info you need to get started. The only equipment you'll need to buy are 2 pairs of cheap iron dumbells -- probably a pair of 3 lbs and a pair of 5lbs. Get one or both of the videos and watch them, then decide what you need to get. You can buy the videos on Amazon, ebay, etc. and a lot of stores are carrying the second one too.

She also has a new more comprehensive program called Project: You that combines weights and cardio and is really varied. You can get that from her web site www.kathysmith.com.