As the hot summer begins winding down and cooler days are headed our way, its always a great idea to get out for a walk.Walking with extra weights such as 1-2 lbs. hand weights are a good way to help tone arms. You won't get lots of definition, however you will feel stronger and you can get a start on a little firmness. Don't have time to walk or exercise? Try walking 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before of after dinner. Walking 20 minutes 4-5 times per week is better than not at all. Grab your spouse or a friend or a neighbor and become accountable to each other.

I’ve been teaching fitness classes for more than 30 years in eleven different states with women of all ages-13-92. I have been asked the same question repeatedly; Can I loose weight and get fit doing yoga or just stretching? The answer is yes. It will take longer to loose and see definition in your muscles than if you were doing cardio and weight lifting classes. Stretching will make you feel good after the first class. Take more advanced classes as you go or challenge yourself with a yoga/stretch youtube video.

I like to think of animals when I think about stretching. As soon as a dog or cat wake, or just get up from lying on the floor they always stretch- no one tells them to stretch (except God), they just automatically do it. Try to make stretching something you do automatically throughout the day.

Example: 1 minute before you jump out of bed. 2 minutes while making coffee or while brushing your teeth. 1 minute while at traffic lights. 5 minutes for every hour you are sitting at your desk. You will be able to add up 10 minutes in no time at all.

- Cathy (A.K.A. The Stretch Nazi)