Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 7/2/2005

Question
hello there,, how are you doing? Well here is the thing,, my body is kind of shaped like a pear.. i am petite on top,, and big in the bottom.. I have a big behind and slightly big thighs.. I want to know what kind of exercises i should stick to inorder to loser the weight around my behind,hips, and thights,, also,, i have some fat tissue accumulated on my knees,, can i get rid of that too? The problem is,, when im wearing clothes, people would just refer to me as petite with a sexy body, coz i know the kind of clothes to wear,, the problem comes when im wearing my bikini in the summer..
thank you very much for your help :)

Answer
Hi Aicha,
Sounds like you know how to dress well so that's great!  The best exercise to lose body fat is to do aerobic exercises 4-6 times per week for 60 minutes at a time.  You can walk briskly, jog, dance, swim, bike, take aerobic classes, etc.  You will want your heart rate elevated so you are breathing hard and sweating but not gasping for air.  If you aren't used to exercise then you will want to start out for 20 minutes and increase your time in increments of 5-10 minutes at a time till you reach 60 minutes.  You will also want to add weight lifting and toning exercises so you lose inches and build muscle mass that burns more calories at rest.  Since you said you are petite on top, do shoulder, chest, arms, and back exercises so you will be more proportioned.  
When you lose bodyfat you will find that fat from all over your body will start to go away...even those knees.
Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water and you will lose that cellulite if you have it.
Good luck and if you can, go to a good gym and get a workout plan from a personal trainer to get started.  Get your bodyfat taken so you have a baseline.  If you start exercising regularly then take it again in 2 months.  You will be happy with the results.
Linda