Ten for ten

A year ago, two ladies in their early 50s asked a simple question, "How can we get in better shape with a few minutes everyday?"

They were already walking and running for their heart and lungs, but they just didn't like the flabby muscles in their arms, stomach and legs that seemed to be hanging around. "Where in the world had their muscles gone and could they get them back, they just needed to know?"

Muscles have a way a getting strong with work and use patterns at least three-four days a week. If you want to make muscles that have shape and tone you have to specifically use them. You see muscles atrophy in 3-5 days with no exercise. I know it seems like a cruel joke but that is just the way it works. So take ten minutes and do each exercise for at least a minute.

1) Jumping jacks- minis to full

2) High knee kicks with shoulder punches

3) Squats with overhead arm lifts

4) Oblique twists

5) Triceps dips

6) Push-ups

7) Planks-front and side patterns

8) On all fours-alternate arm and leg lifts

9) Runners lunge jump

10) Side shuffle lunge

These ladies now have sexy shaped arms like Madonna, tummy muscle like Jillian Michaels, and legs like Cameron Diaz. Who says you can't change the way your muscles look? You just have to choose to do a little work.

Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy. She and her staff can be reached in their Coeur d'Alene office (208) 667-1988 and in the Spokane Valley (509) 891-2623.