Expert: Samantha Mattingly - 3/10/2008

Question
I'm 17 years old and 5'2 and I pack a lot of fat around my stomach, hips and thighs. My upper torso is toned, my arms are muscular and so are my thighs, its just my middle section. I ride my bike and play tennis in the summer and in the winter I kind of hibernate not knowing what to do. What kind of activities can I do in the winter to try and shape up my middle section? Also I have a pretty good diet, I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and eat smaller more frequent meals.

Answer
3 bigger meals a day is better for a girl your age.  Exercise videos are good tools to use.  You might be able to go to a thrift shop and buy some exercise videos, or buy them new.  Or if you have some, use them.  Try to look for the ones that tone up your mid-section.  Crunches are great exercises to firm the tummy.  Also, laying down and scissoring your legs is a great exercise for toning the lower abdomen.