Fall is upon us, and so is the time where we spend lots of time in jeans.  Want to look great in your favorite pair?  Start now and you’ll be fabulous in jeans by the time the cool air blows in!  Focus on the three basics: cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and sensible eating.

When doing your cardio, mix it up by using machines that target the thighs, butt, hips, and calves such as the treadmill, stair stepper, and elliptical machine.  Use each machine strategically to hit the typical jean problem areas.  For example, use incline on the treadmill or walk laterally to work your thighs, go backwards on the elliptical to focus on the glutes, or use the stair stepper on your toes at a fast pace to tone the calf muscles.  Include 4-5 30-45 minute sessions of cardio per week

Strength training must be incorporated with cardio in order to tone and build those muscles, increase your metabolism and burn more fat.  Here are five exercises that will help you tone and look great in your jeans:

1.      Butt Lift  Laying on your back with your knees bent lift your hips off the floor while keeping your back straight. Keep your glutes contracted throughout the exercise.

2.      Leg Circles Kneel on left knee with left foot behind you. Extend and raise right leg parallel to floor and circle forward six times, keeping movement small. Then reverse motion. Switch sides and repeat with left leg.

3.      Jump squats Stand with feet shoulder width apart in half squat position with arms at your sides. Jump up as high as possible while swinging your arms upward, and then go back to starting position.

4.      Wall sit with toe raise Stand with back against the wall with feet shoulder width apart. Slide down the wall until your legs are at a 90 degree angle and raise up onto your toes to contract your calf muscles. Hold this position for as long as you can.

5.      Bicycle  Lie on your back with knees bent and feet raised about six inches off of the floor. Put your hands behind your head. Contracting your abs crunch up and twist, bringing your right shoulder to the left knee, switch and repeat.

Lastly, nutrition is crucial. You have to make sure that you are eating five to six healthy, well- balanced small meals per day in order to keep your metabolism revved up. If you’re not prepared when hunger strikes you’ll tend to reach for the junk foods.

By following the above advice, you will be getting the most out of the time you spend at the gym to look great in your jeans by “jeans season!”

Regan Case is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer with Studio One to One.  For more information, visit www.studio-onetoone.com or call (678)367-3619.

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