A Great Walking Tool
Q: As a single mom on a tight budget, I can't afford to buy every fancy new piece of electronic equipment that's supposed to help you lose weight. I've been hearing a lot about pedometers lately and how they help you exercise. What is a pedometer exactly, and is it something I really should get?
A: It's certainly not a necessity, but a pedometer can help motivate you to stay active so you can look bikini-hot in no time! A pedometer is a device that keeps track of the distance you walk throughout the day by counting the number of steps you take. There are expensive, complicated pedometers that will track other things, like calories burned, but — good news for you! — the simple, inexpensive ones that track only steps are typically more accurate. Clip the pedometer to your waistband or belt, directly over your right or left hipbone, and wear it from the time you get dressed in the morning until you go to bed at night. Once you become aware of your total number of steps per day, you'll find yourself looking for ways to sneak in more, like parking farther away from the store or your job. Aim for the BBC goal of 10,000 steps per day (about five miles).

Take More Steps
There are plenty of easy ways to fit in a couple of extra steps in just minutes — without making major changes to your daily schedule. Here are some ideas:

* Instead of e-mailing coworkers, get up from your desk and walk over to talk to them.
* Use the stairs instead of the elevator — or, if you take an escalator, walk up it rather than standing in place.
* Hide the remote so you actually have to get off the couch to change the channel!
* During commercials, get up and walk around — but avoid the kitchen!
* Avoid using your kids (or the dog) to get things for you — get up and get them yourself.
Go to: www.bikinibootcamp.com for more great tips.