Fitness Express

Kicking it into gear today with an Express Fitness Workout from Fitness Magazine and a mix of cardio.

Cardio/Warm-up: 12 minutes (3 songs)

Fitness Magazine's 10-minute"Flab to Firm - Fast!"

You'll need a mat and a pair of 5- to 10-pound weights.

• Triceps press/knee tuck (triceps, abs and hips)
• Wide stance deadlift (lower back, butt and legs)
• Plie-Curl combo (biceps, abs, hips, butt and legs)
• Rocket squat (shoulders, abs, butt and legs)
• Single-leg row (shoulders, abs, back and legs)

You can find this specific workout in the February issue of Fitness or click here for more 10-minute workouts from Fitness Magazine.

Cardio/Cool-down: 8 minutes (2 songs)

All around the town

For today's half-hour workout, I took advantage of the sunny, crisp cold weather here in Olympia.

Lots of beautiful places to walk around our city! Today I took:

• A 15 minute round-trip walk to the Capitol building, including two flights of stairs, to attend a meeting.
• A five-minute walk from our parking spot three blocks away to a coffee shop.
  
• Another 10 minute walk from a coffee shop downtown to back to my office.

Had to work late so no walk to class.

Get back on the ball

OK... Cold has subsided and I'm craving some exercise!

Exercising with a stability ball uses twice as many core muscles as classic belly toners like the crunch and the sit-up. With swimsuit season just over three months away, it's time to get on the ball!

Today I worked out with Gaiam video's Balance Ball for Beginners featuring Suzanne Deason but you can find a nice half-hour workout for free here at Good Housekeeping.

Have fun and relax.