Toning Exercises to Get in Shape Fast

ABS

This sequence exhausts large muscles early on, so the small, underused "accessory" muscles get more of a workout. The exercises also help add definition to hips and lower abs. If you can't complete all the reps listed, do as many as possible. A mat is recommended.

1. LEGS STRAIGHT OUT Lie on your back, hands behind head, legs straight out. Point toes and crunch up. Do 50 reps.

2. CLICK-TOGETHER LIFT Crunch

Lie on your back, hands behind head, legs straight out and shoulder-width apart with knees facing ceiling.

Crunch up, but keep legs straight. Simultaneously lift legs 3 to 6 inches off the ground and touch together. As you return to floor, legs return to starting position. Do 50 reps.

3. DIAGONAL CROSS

Lie on your back, hands behind head with left leg bent and right leg straight and pointed.

Lift and cross right leg over left and crunch up. Return to start. Do 100 reps with each leg.

4. PIKE

Lie on your back, hands overlapping under tailbone, legs straight out and together on floor with knees facing ceiling.

Raise legs to a 90-degree angle and lower, touching floor for a second. Do 50 reps.

LEGS This sequence works your deepest butt and thigh muscles, creating lift and firmness exactly where you want them, without adding bulk. Use a mat to reduce pressure on your joints.

1. ATTITUDE LEG LIFT

Kneel on all fours. Keep your right leg slightly bent and raise it up behind your back, straightening your leg as you lift.

Return to starting position. Do 50 reps with each leg.

2. OVERLAP OUTER-THIGH LIFT

Lie on left side on mat, left leg slightly bent, leaning back on left elbow. Cross straight right leg over left leg.

3. LARGE-RANGE EXTENSION

Start in a plank push-up position. Bend right knee toward the ground without touching it, then straighten leg and lift as high as possible toward ceiling. Lower to start. Do 50 reps with each leg.

4. ATTITUDE BUTT PULSE

Kneel on all fours. Keep right leg slightly bent and lift toward ceiling. When as high as possible, pulse leg slightly. Do 100 pulses with each leg.

5. INNER-THIGH LIFT

Sit on the mat with your right leg extended and left leg bent, left foot on the floor with toes forward. Flex right foot and turn it out, away from your body.

Lift right leg so it's parallel to angle of left and point toes. Return to starting position. Do 50 reps on each leg.