posted February 01, 2007 06:26 PM         

Oh happy day, I have been keeping up with my running routine!

My question is, does running bulk up your legs, or does it slim them down?

I am trying to figure out what types of excercises would help me "trim the fat off" Pardon the bluntness of that!!

posted February 02, 2007 08:15 AM         

Any kind of cardio exercise will burn calories and therefore fat. Running is great -- so is the elliptical machine, treadmill, tennis, dancing, cycling, etc.

My hands down favorite: the elliptical machine. It's much easier on your body than running. But the best exercise is the exercise you are willing to do! Believe me.

Also know that muscle is very dense and takes up less space than fat. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.

Cardio + strength training = great way to lose fat. They work OK alone but doing both is best.

If you are a woman and scared of bulking up, I would say: don't be. Unless you are lifting huge weights, women don't have enough testosterone to naturally get that bulky.

When you strength train, your body releases human growth hormone which helps burn fat.

It also prevents bone loss.

Exercise aside, eating healthier and smaller portions is pretty damn essential. It takes a lot of exercise to burn off the calories in...well, just about anything. (such a bummer, I know)

So overall my advice would be:
Cardio...Weights...Eat Less...Eat Healthier

Hope some of this is helpful.

And let me know if you have other questions; I'm very intersted in nutrition/fitness and fairly knowledgable. I love to help other people with this stuff. (as you can see, once you get me started......... )

posted February 02, 2007 08:37 AM         

I'm off to the gym tonite, and I'll try the elliptical this time....

Being into your own health....what a win win! I've never really cared that much before, but now, something is just driving me! I hope to be showing off my sexiness come spring/summer!

posted February 02, 2007 09:00 AM         

Do you have an Mp3 player or a cd player that you bring to the gym?

Listening to good music really keeps me going. It can make a huge difference.

Also. Seeing as it is February, (the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad month of the year...if you ask me ) you need a back up plan if you can't get yourself to leave the house.

And that would be:

exercise DVDs !!

There are tons out there: yoga, pilates, ballet, bellydance, tai chi, cardio, strength-training. You name it, it's out there. Some are very, very good. Some are not. I've done a lot so I can give you some recommendations if you're interested.

Anyways, keep up the good work..........

posted February 02, 2007 01:23 PM         

amazing.