So after two kids in two years , I've got the momma tire around my middle!  I'm 23 and stuffing my stomach into my jeans!!  What do you feel is the best cardio exercise to rid this fat fast??

Hi danya.tess, 

Congrats on being a mom!  One of the hardest jobs on Earth!  

I recommend all types of cardio from walking, jogging, hiking, biking, Spin class, DVD's such as Taebo, Yoga Booty Ballet, P90X or the Firm!  Join a local Boot Camp, if possible!  The key here is to incorporate a variety of workouts, and begin really challenging yourself with increasing the intensity of each workout!  If you're walking, add hills to your walk or jog for 1-2 minutes at a time.  By increasing the speed, resistance or elevation of your cardio workouts, you'll begin burning more calories per session!  It is important to take your heart rate into the higher realm (75%+) for a short period then you can bring it back down to recover, then do it again.  Add 1-2+ minutes of jumping rope, jumping on a mini-tramp.... Whatever you're doing now, begin to increase the workload!  By doing this you'll maximize your fat-burning and calorie-burning potential!

Be proud of yourself and keep up the hard work!

Best in health, 

Kelli

 I used to do high-impact aerobics for my cardio, but have fears now of hurting my knees, so now I do the recumbent bike at the gym and it seems to be working!  I also do weights for strength training.  Tampabayb

Hi tampabayb, 

The recumbent bike is great and is easy on the joints. There are also other great alternatives from high impact aerobics/activities such as walking, swimming, water aerobics, and strength training.  Keep up the great work and stay committed!  

Your friend in fitness, 

Kelli

speed walk or jogging is the best form of exercise you can do for yourself. im going to start as soon as my toe is fixed. i wish i could now. but its killer on my toe.

Hi again Kelli,

Thanks for the note on recumbent bike.  I'm one of the 47 million Americans without insurance, so safety first!  Also, I REALLY like watching tv while I'm on the bike, I find it very relaxing.  I appreciate your help!  Tampabayb

Hi tampabayb, 

Wanted to check in with you and see how you're doing.  The recumbent bike is so great for getting in a terrific cardio workout while reading, watching TV, etc. and is easy on the joints!

Hope you're continuing to make progress and are getting closer to your health and fitness goals each and every day!

Best in health, 

Kelli

 Just to add in my .02, I love love love love LOVE the elliptical. Great cardio, very little impact.

My outdoor walks are over until about April or May.  The snow we've been getting in the mountains of Colorado will stay around until then.

I do a treadmill, ellipitcal, boot camp dvd's.  Also do weights to tone up.  Better still, my husband, while not saying anything is also doing some weight work now. 

Karen

Hi blueiscool, 

Inclimate weather surely can put a damper on any outdoors workout program. Glad to hear that you have committed to other forms of exercise!  There are some awesome DVD's out there such as Taebo, The Firm, and Yoga Booty Ballet.  With only a few tools such as dumbbells, tubes, and a FitBall you can get in a great full-body workout. The alli website provides animated demos for a very effective strength training workout! 

Great news about your husband!!  Keep up the great work and stay connected to the alli community during the winter months to stay motivated and plugged in! 

Best in health, 

Kelli

And I have snow shoveling to keep me active.  Plus we heat our house with coal so I have the walks out to the coal pile and bringing in 25 lbs kitty litter buckets filled with coal.  Carrying the buckets is a reminder of how much weight I DON'T have on my knees anymore.  And while last year I would get out of breath hauling them, this year I don't.

Karen

Hi blueiscool, 

Hope you've had a great holiday season so far.  The weather that the holiday's bring can surely add some specific activities such as you're talking about!  Shoveling snow and carrying in coal will burn some serious calories, over and above your workouts and daily lifestyle routine.  

Continue to find creative ways to add in activity when the weather doesn't allow for outside exercise!  Glad to hear that where you are this season is a positive step in the right direction from last season.  Keep up the great work and stay warm!

Best in health to you, 

Kelli

 Hi danya.tess!  I absolutely love water aerobics.  I found that I can workout much longer without stopping due to tired muscles.  At the same time when I get out of the pool I feel the workout a few hours later so it gives me time to readjust to not being in the pool.  I generally go and swim laps before the aerobics class so I spend an average of 2 hours in the pool most days a week.  The days I don't go swimming I enjoy working out on the elliptical.  I try and do 30 minutes on that.  Hope this helps.

Jay