[Danielle]

This is what I'm doing right now. It varies throughout the year; I like to keep things varied.

Monday: chest & back (pecs are my weakest part; I can only bench 65 lbs )
Wednesday: abs & triceps
Friday: shoulders & biceps

I'm trying something new: not training my legs. I do a lot of cardio (trying to lose a few pounds) and my legs get huge doing only that. My husband likes big muscular thighs, but I just want lean chiseled ones. When I was at my lowest weight a few years ago (100lbs at 5'4") and training like crazy, I still had 22" thunder thighs.

Any suggestions on how to shave an inch or two off the thighs without sacrificing muscle gains in other areas?

[movni]

woah-100 lbs and you're 5'4"? Is that healthy? I'm only asking because my doctor reccommends that I weigh at more 105.

[Danielle]

After marriage and a kid, I'm not 100 lbs anymore. When I was single, though, I was a fiend for weight training and cardio. That brought my weight down, but I didn't look like bones or anything.

Personally, I think health is more about what you do good for yourself than what you weigh. I know 'overweight' people that run marathons, eat healthy meals, and all that jazz. I know 'underweight' people that do the same. So sometimes people may be off the charts, but still be doing good for themselves.

[triumph]

Danielle, out of curiosity, what do you do for your chest. I am a guy, but the chest has always been my weakest body part. Part of it I think is because I did not build up the other muscles enough (forearm, tricep, wrist etc), and secondly, over-training the chest and not really getting a proper workout.

When I started to focus on the connectors that allowed me to really work the chest with more resistance I have seen huge improvements.

[Danielle]

triumph, I train chest first, usually just once a week. I do a total of 6-8 sets. If I do more, then an old neck injury from a car accident gets irritated.

I have had injuries to both of my shoulders. Nothing serious, have always been able to 'pop' them back in place. Could be that has something to do with not being able to lift heavy poundage. Also, my wrist strength has diminished from doing repetitive factory work years ago. Yeah, I need to start putting my focus on these areas.

Glad to hear you've seen improvements.

[Riggy]

I definitely need to shave a couple of inches off my thighs right now. I'm also always looking for a good exercise for this area as well. A personal trainer friend of mine suggested stepped-up cardio (I like running) and standing lunges with little or no weight. Now.....I only need to get myself to the gym...!

Riggy

[movni]

I completely understand about the weight issue. As long as the person is healthy. But I would perfer to not be underweight. I remember listening to the radio and they were discussing the negative impact being underweight can have on you.'Overweight' is relative though. Look at Brad Pitt he is considered to be overweight.

For me it all depends on the reasons why someone is overweight and underwight. If it is all just fat then that person is unhealthy. Or if is a result of malnutrition.

[Danielle]

Riggy, I like running, too. Though, I need to work on my speed. I run so slow that I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days some little old lady passes me up on the track.

movni, in light of all the buzz nowadays about thin, thin, thin, your take on weight is refreshing.

Brad Pitt is considered overweight? The weight charts have gone too far this time!

[triumph]

Riggy,

One thing to keep in mind is you can not really spot-train fat away. Unfortunately your biological dictates where the fat burns from, and it is usually in reverse order from how you put it on. So if your thighs, for example, put on weight first, they will be the last to come off.

Any kind of cardio though will be helpful in an overall fat loss and improvement.

[Danielle]

triumph, you're so right...and still I dream of creating a different body type.

Denise Austin is someone I admire. She has a pear-shaped body, but it is a fit pear-shaped body. Life goes on.