by Alicia Delaney

toning up is only possible if combined with a healthy diet

Exercise
The purpose of exercising to tone up is to lose excess body fat and develop muscle which in turn will tighten the skin. To develop muscle you have to use weights or resistance - jogging, treadmills swimming wont do it. At this point some people will be saying to themselves I don't want big muscles. The fact is you probably couldn't get big muscles if you tried. It takes a huge amount of effort and some incredibly heavy weights for women to become muscular. A balanced exercise plan involving moderate weights will develop the muscles sufficiently to give your body that tight, toned look.

Food and Drink
Obviously you can't tone up your body if you're eating cream cakes and pizza every day. In order to see the results of your exercise regime you need to have as little excess fat on your body as possible. There is no point have a tight arm if it's coated in a layer of fat. Even the toughest exercise plan you could think off can't compete with a bad diet. As always, you need to follow a healthy, balance diet without the huge quantities of sugar and fat that cause weight gain. Also remember to drink plenty water. Not only is it essential for healthy skin it also helps to get rid of the waste products you build up in your body. You don't have to drink four litres of mineral water a day but you do need four litres of fluids. Obviously, pure water is best but you can make up some of the difference with tea, milk and juice.

Look after your skin
Your skin is the largest organ in your body so it stands to reason it can make a big difference to how your body looks. A smooth skin will accentuate a firm toned body. Remember to exfoliate and moisturise your body with the same care you take over your face. You can also buy creams that can promote a firmer looking skin. Although these will not work miracles they can sometimes help with the appearance of your body.

Measuring Yourself
How can you tell if you efforts have paid dividends? Firstly, don't weigh yourself. Muscle actually weighs slightly more than fat so it's possible you will have put weight on. But this means nothing. A better measurement is to look at the size of your hips, arms and so on. Take a tape measure and see how much of that loose fat you have got rid off.
However, the best way of appraising yourself is to focus on you you feel in your clothes. Is that skirt a little looser round the waist? Are there less bulges in that tight top? Examine yourself closely in the mirror. You will be able to notice the difference. And of course if you have made significant improvements it wont be long before other people will tell you about it.

The Final Thought
The bodies of two woman with the same body weight and dimensions can look very different. One can look pretty good whereas the other can look fabulous. This is down to toning and sculpting. It doesn't involve huge changes in weight or size but it doesn't have a huge visual effect. Although, toning up doesn't require a mammoth effort it does require a continuous effort. But a little commitment is a small price to pay for a tighter, firmer, younger looking body.