Workout

Check Calendar. The plan: During weeks 1 and 2, complete all 6 exercises (as 1 circuit) for the number of sets listed. Starting with week 3, increase the number of sets; by week six you should be completing three sets of each exercise. Do a circuit two to three times a week, giving yourself at least 48 hours of rest in between each session.

This easy-to-follow workout, appropriate for all fitness levels, targets your butt, abs, hips, waist, thighs and upper arms. Here's the drill:

• stretch and 5 -minute warm-up (a quick walk or stair climb).
• Use a pair of hand weights: 3 to 5 lbs pounds each if you're a beginner, 8 to 10 if you're already working out.
• Slowly ~ Count to three as you do the move and as you return to the start position.
• Exhale as you lift; inhale on the way down (up, breath out. Down, breath in)
• If you can't do more than eight reps, you're using too much weight; if you can do 15 without trouble, you're not using enough.

ARMS
Chest Press

1. Lie on your back, knees bent, with heels tucked close to your butt. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms raised straight above your chest, with your palms facing away from you.
2. Bend your elbows until they touch the floor on either side of your chest, making a T-shape with your body. Slowly press back up. Do 10 to 15 repetitions.

Triceps Dip

1. Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, clasp both weights in both hands with arms straight, but not locked, above your head. If this is too heavy, grasp a single weight in both hands.
2. Slowly bend your elbows and lower weights behind your head, keeping your elbows directly above your shoulders. Return to start. Do 10 to 15 repetitions.

Back Shaper

1. Stand with left leg in front of you, as if you've just taken one big step. Bend forward at waist so back is flat, with left hand on left thigh. Hold a dumbbell in right hand, pointing right arm straight down.
2. Bend your right elbow up past your ribs until your hand reaches your lowest rib (think of the motion as slowly starting a lawn mower). Slowly return to start. Do 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.

Biceps Curl

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at sides, a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing in. Stand against a wall, touching it from the waist up (this prevents you from cheating, because you can't put your whole body into the move).
2. Bend elbows and lift weights up to your chest, rotating thumbs out as you raise hands. As you lower arms back to start, rotate thumbs inward. Do 10 to 15 reps.

Ab Toner

1. Get on all fours, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Lower your forearms to the floor, so you're leaning on your elbows. Make sure your head is in line with your spine and flex your toes.
2. Keeping your abs pulled in and your shoulder blades squeezed together, straighten your legs. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then return to the starting position. Do three repetitions.

Butt Blaster

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Bend down as if you were going to sit in a chair, with thighs almost parallel to the floor.
2. Without moving your feet, stand up straight. Do 10 to 15 repetitions. To increase difficulty, hold a weight in each hand.

Cardiovascular
It will blast the fat off your midsection. The more you move, the faster the pounds will come off. Sneak in at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted exercise whenever you can.

The plan: Choose any of the following six activities and do four to six times per week. Mix and match, maybe two workouts in a day, as long as a total 4 to 6 workouts in seven days.

In week three, start adding 10 additional minutes each workout. Add 10 more minutes each week, until you're doing about 60 minutes by week six.

Walking: Anywhere is fine -- the local mall, the parking lot at work. Just move continuously, using short steps at a quick pace (imagine you're late for an appointment). Swing your arms, and you'll tone your abs and shoulders.

Weeks one and two: 30 minutes

Stair climbing: Find one or more long flights of stairs (from your basement to your attic, at a school stadium) and walk up and down as quickly as you can. Weeks one and two: 20 minutes

Swimming: Do you have a pool or access to one? Great. Just swim from end to end, using whatever stroke you choose. Weeks one and two: 20 minutes

Skipping rope: You can find an adult-size jump rope at most discount stores. Start slowly. If you're struggling, set a timer for five minutes and use that as your goal. Or try intervals: Jump for one minute, then rest, shaking arms and legs, for 30 seconds. Weeks one and two: 15 to 20 minutes

Bicycling: Cycling, on the road or a stationary bike, is a great way to work the lower body. Summon your inner Lance Armstrong and push the pedals at a fast pace (think right, left, right, left as you move your feet). Weeks one and two: 30 minutes

Video training: Exercise tapes have come a long way since the Jane Fonda era. Get one that has at least 30 minutes of cardio.