Most new mothers are so busy with the new baby they don't have time to go to the gym and workout in order to lose those pounds they picked up during pregnacy. With the help of Fitness Magazine I have put together a video workout that doesn't require a trip to the gym or a lot of your time.

Lose the Baby Weight Workout

WebMD talks to fitness experts and successful exercisers who reveal the top tips, tricks, and secrets they use to get the most of their workout routines.

Getting and staying fit can be a challenge. For many of us, it's hard enough just to get up off the couch. So what's the secret of people who have managed to make exercise a way of life? To find out, WebMD talked to fitness experts and successful exercisers who revealed the top tips, tricks and secrets they use to get the most from their workout routines.
1. Be Consistent
Chase Squires is the first to admit that he's no fitness expert. But he is a guy who used to weigh 205 pounds, more than was healthy for his 5'4" frame. "In my vacation pictures in 2002, I looked like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man at the beach," says the 42-year-old Colorado resident. Squires decided enough was enough, cut out fatty food, and started walking on a treadmill. The pounds came off and soon he was running marathons -- not fast, but in the race. He ran his first 50-mile race in October 2003, and completed his first 100-miler a year later. Since then, he's completed several 100-mile, 50-mile, and 50k races.
His secret? "I'm not fast, but I'm consistent," says Squires, who says consistency is his best tip for maintaining a successful fitness regimen.
"It all started with 20 minutes on a treadmill," he says. "The difference between my success and others who have struggled is that I did it every single day. No exercise program in the world works if you don't do it consistently."

2. Follow an Effective Exercise Routine
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) recently surveyed 1,000 ACE-certified personal trainers about the best techniques to get fit. Their top three suggestions:
• Strength training. Even 20 minutes a day twice a week will help tone the entire body.
• Interval training. "In its most basic form, interval training might involve walking for two minutes, running for two, and alternating this pattern throughout the duration of a workout," says Cedric Bryant, PhD, FACSM, chief science officer for ACE. "It is an extremely time-efficient and productive way to exercise."
• Increased cardio/aerobic exercise. Bryant suggests accumulating 60 minutes or more a day of low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking, running, or dancing.
3. Set Realistic Goals
"Don't strive for perfection or an improbable goal that can't be met," says Kara Thompson, spokesperson for the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). "Focus instead on increasing healthy behaviors."
In other words, don't worry if you can't run a 5K just yet. Make it a habit to walk 15 minutes a day, and add time, distance, and intensity from there.

4. Use the Buddy System
Find a friend or relative whom you like and trust who also wants to establish a healthier lifestyle, suggests Thompson. "Encourage one another. Exercise together. Use this as an opportunity to enjoy one another's company and to strengthen the relationship."

5. Make Your Plan Fit Your Life
Too busy to get to the gym? Tennis star Martina Navratilova, health and fitness ambassador for the AARP, knows a thing or two about being busy and staying fit.
Make your plan fit your life, she advises in an article on the AARP web site. "You don't need fancy exercise gear and gyms to get fit."
If you've got floor space, try simple floor exercises to target areas such as the hips and buttocks, legs and thighs, and chest and arms (like push-ups, squats, and lunges). Aim for 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, adding more reps and intensity as you build strength.

6. Be Happy
Be sure to pick an activity you actually enjoy doing, suggests Los Angeles celebrity trainer Sebastien Lagree.
"If you hate weights, don't go to the gym. You can lose weight and get in shape with any type of training or activity," he says.
And choose something that is convenient. Rock climbing may be a great workout, but if you live in a city, it's not something you'll be doing every day.

7. Watch the Clock
Your body clock, that is. Try to work out at the time you have the most energy, suggests Jason Theodosakis, MD, assistant professor and exercise physiologist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. If you're a morning person, schedule your fitness activities early in the day; if you perk up as the day goes along, plan your activities in the afternoon or evening.
"Working out while you have the most energy will yield the best results," says Theodosakis.

8. Call In the Pros
Especially if you're first getting started, Theodosakis suggests having a professional assessment to determine what types of exercise you need most.
"For some people, attention to flexibility, or balance and agility, may be more important than resistance training or aerobics," he says. "By getting a professional assessment, you can determine your weakest links and focus on them. This will improve your overall fitness balance."

9. Get Inspired
"Fitness is a state of mind," says fitness professional and life coach Allan Fine of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One of Fine's tricks to get and stay motivated is to read blogs or web sites that show him how others have been successful. "Who inspires you?" he asks.

10. Be Patient
Finally, remember that even if you follow all these tips, there will be ups and downs, setbacks and victories, advises Navratilova. Just be patient, and don't give up, she says on the AARP web site: "Hang in there, and you'll see solid results."

Why bother working out? Whose got time to walk? Find out what regular exercise can do for you.
By Peter Jaret

Terry Waters, a former college wrestler and baseball player, loved working out. He got real pleasure out of pushing himself hard at the gym, and he liked the feeling of tired but virtuous afterwards. He figured regular physical activity and its health benefits would always be a part of his life.

Then came marriage, three kids, a demanding job as a software engineer in Boston — and a thousand and one excuses not to make it to the gym. “For a little while, you convince yourself you’re still in pretty good shape,” Waters remembers. “Sure, you’re a few pounds heavier. Sure, your blood pressure’s a few points higher. But you’re still pretty healthy, right?”

Well, maybe not. By the time he hit 40, Waters was 20 pounds heavier than he’d been in college. His blood pressure was nudging up into the danger zone, and his cholesterol level was just on the borderline of worrisome. His father, who was 67, was on medication for both high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Two years earlier, the old man had been rushed into surgery for a heart bypass operation after suddenly becoming short of breath one day while on a bike ride. “Believe me, I didn’t want to go there if I could avoid it,” says Waters.

It was time, he decided, to get back to the gym.

Moderate exercise even a couch potato can manage
A lot of middle-aged men like Terry Waters know the dilemma. As family and work life become more demanding, exercise begins to drop lower on the list of priorities. Sure, you know it’s supposed to be important. But when the lawn needs mowing and the kids want attention, it’s harder to justify lacing up your running shoes for a good workout. Eventually, it’s easy to think, “Why bother?”
Why? For one very good reason. Staying active throughout your life is the single most powerful way to remain healthy and live long enough to enjoy your family and all the things you’ve worked for. Following the recommendations from WebMD’s Exercise and Fitness Tips to Improve Your Health offers so many far-ranging health benefits that you may decide a gym membership might be the most important investment you can make for your health. If drug companies developed an anti-aging pill with even some of the benefits of regular physical activity, all of us would be taking it.

“It’s hardly news now that exercise keeps your heart and lungs working efficiently,” says Steven Blair, PhD, professor of exercise epidemiology at the University of South Carolina and one of the country’s leading exercise scientists. “But we’ve also come to understand that exercise can help prevent adult onset diabetes, improve bone health, and even lower the risk of some cancers. Physical activity also appears to help ease depression for some people.”

Still not convinced you should hoist yourself up off the couch? Consider the following 10 health benefits you can get from even a moderate regular workout.

Exercise Health Benefit 1: Lower cholesterol
As most men get older, cholesterol numbers begin to move in the wrong direction. Levels of so-called bad cholesterol — low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — gradually increase. Levels of good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), tend to fall. Unfortunately, that combination of high LDL and low HDL is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. Excess cholesterol accumulates on the inner lining of blood vessels, leading to arthrosclerosis and heart attacks. The best way to keep LDL cholesterol levels down is to eat a diet low in saturated fat (the kind found in meat and high-fat dairy products.) The single best way to boost good HDL cholesterol? Exercise. A 2007 Danish study of 835 men found that regular physical activity was consistently associated with higher levels of HDL cholesterol. A meta-analysis of 52 exercise training trials, including 4700 subjects, found that HDL levels increased an average of 4.6 percent — enough to take a significant notch out of heart disease risk.

Exercise Health Benefit 2: Lower triglycerides
Triglycerides are a form of fat found in the blood. Rising triglyceride levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease. The same Danish study that found higher levels of HDL showed that the most active men also had the lowest triglyceride levels.
Exercise Health Benefit 3: Lower risk of high blood pressure

As blood pressure climbs, the risk of heart disease and stroke accelerates. Unfortunately, blood pressure levels typically climb as men get older. But they don’t have to. In a study published in 2007, University of Minnesota researchers followed men and women 18 to 30 years old for up to 15 years. The more physically active the volunteers were, the lower their risk of developing hypertension.

Exercise Health Benefit 4: Reduced inflammation
Regular exercise has been shown to reduce levels of C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation. That matters because cholesterol-laden plaques on the lining of arteries are most likely to break off and cause heart attacks when they become inflamed. A 2006 study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota found that men with high levels of aerobic fitness, measured as VO2max, had lower levels of C-reactive protein, along with other markers of inflammation.

Exercise Health Benefit 5: Better blood vessels
To respond to changing demands for oxygen, blood vessels must be flexible enough to widen and narrow. Smoking, cholesterol build-up, and just plain aging tend to stiffen vessels, increasing heart attack risk. A growing number of studies show that exercise training helps maintain the ability of blood vessels to open and constrict in response to changing physical demands.

Exercise Health Benefit 6: Lower risk of diabetes
Adult onset diabetes — fueled mostly by too much body fat — is one of the biggest health worries on the horizon. Staying active can help you keep the weight off. But research shows that even for people who are overweight or obese, exercise reduces the risk of diabetes. The Diabetes Prevention Program found that an exercise and weight loss program lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes by a whopping 58% over a three-year period. And the volunteers in that program weren’t running marathons. In fact, the exercise they were doing was the equivalent of burning only an additional 593 calories of energy — about the equivalent of walking around six miles a week for most men.

Exercise Health Benefit 7: A hedge against colon cancer
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in men. Approximately 80% of cases of this grim disease could be prevented, experts say. A healthier diet (with more fiber and whole grains) is part of the prescription. But exercise turns out to be just as important as diet. Studies have shown that physical activity may reduce colon cancer risk by as much as 30 to 40%.

Exercise Health Benefit 8: Strong bones
Another unwelcome effect of aging is thinning bones, which can lead to a greater risk of fractures. In a study that followed 3,262 men from their 40s to their 60s, strenuous physical activity dramatically lowered the risk of hip fractures.

Exercise Health Benefit 9: Weight loss
If vanity is enough to nudge you to the gym, consider this: A lifetime of regular physical activity — even activities as simple as walking half an hour most days — can help keep that belly from bulging over your belt. In findings from the National Weight Control Registry, experts looked at the habits of 3,000 people who lost more than 10% of their body weight and managed to keep it off for at least a year. Eight out of 10 of them, it turned out, reported increasing their physical exercise regimen. The men in the group cranked up their activities — walking, cycling, weight lifting, aerobics, running, and stair climbing — enough to burn an additional 3298 calories a week.

Several recent studies have shown that men who report doing more physical activity also have slimmer waistlines. In a 2006 study at Ball State University, a group of 58 volunteers started a program of walking 10,000 steps a day. After 36 weeks, the volunteers had trimmed almost an inch from their waists and a similar amount from their hips.

Exercise Health Benefit 10: A longer life
Add it all up and an active life also means a longer and healthier life. In a 2004 study at Finland’s University of Kuopio, researchers followed 15,853 men aged 30 to 59. Over a 20 year period, men who engaged in physically active leisure activities — jogging, skiing, swimming, playing ball, or doing serious gardening — were up to 21% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or to die of any cause during the study period.

How much exercise do you need to reap these health benefits?
The answer to how much exercise you need depends partly on what you’re after. Burning about 1,000 extra calories a week in activities is likely to extend your life. Walking half an hour most days of the week is all you need to significantly lower your risk of colon cancer and diabetes. But the more physical activities you can weave into your daily life, the healthier you’ll be. “Most studies of physical activity show a strong dose-response rate,” says exercise expert Steven Blair. “The more you do, the more you benefit.”

Smooth Fitness has always been a strong contender at the $999 price range. The Smooth 5.45 treadmill is no exception. I rate it a "Best Buy" for being one of the most solid and durable machines at this price.
The 5.45 replaces the popular Smooth 5.25. Both have the same frame, motor and console, however, the Smooth 5.45 has a longer deck, offers better shock absorption and is more stable.

The reason why the $999 Smooth treadmills have been such a good value is not only due to the features, but also because of their reliability and durability. They are very low maintenance machines, which is an important consideration when shopping for a treadmill.

Current Incentives
• 2-Year Labor Warranty - If there is a problem with your Smooth 5.45 treadmill for the first two years, it is not your problem. The industry standard is typically 1-year coverage for labor. A $100 value.
• Save $100 on White Glove delivery with coupon code “Smoothassembly”. Treadmill is placed in the room of your choice and assembled. Normally $199, with coupon it is $99.
Most treadmills selling for around $1,000 are what I consider budget machines. Consequently, you have to be very selective in finding brands that have good service records.
Smooth 5.45 Treadmill Features...

20" x 55" Treadbelt - The Smooth 5.45 has a longer treadbelt than the 5.25. The 55" length of the belt is ideal for average height walkers and joggers.

2.5 HP Continuous Duty Motor - Smooth equips their treadmills with very reliable motors, and that is why they are backed with lifetime warranties. You can expect this motor to run smooth and reasonably quiet, even at higher speeds.

210 Lbs. Unit Weight - The Smooth 5.45 may be one of the heaviest treadmills at this price. The extra weight means you are getting a machine that is stable and feels solid. You'll find that some brands won't even list their unit weights, simple because they are lightweights that shift when jogging or with heavy users.

However, you don't want to have to move this treadmill. Since the standard free shipping is to the curb, opt for the inside delivery option. It is not that much more money.

Swing Arm Shock Absorption System - This patented shock absorption system reduces the impact to your ankles, knees, hips and back. It is built with two pivots in the front that absorbed the impact of your stride, while giving you a solid lift off towards the back of the deck. I've jogged on this deck, and it is definitely an improvement over the typical elastomers decks, which initially absorb the shock, but then bounce a portion of the impact.

LCD Console - Although the guts of the 5.45 treadmill are impressive, the LCD display is very basic, and changing the incline and speed requires scrolling up and down. On the other hand, it is very simple to use. You get six exercise programs and nine storable user profiles.

Warranty - As mentioned, the Smooth 5.45 treadmill comes with a lifetime motor warranty. You also get a 3-years parts and 1-year labor warranty. The 3-years parts coverage is above average.

Our Review - Smooth Fitness 5.45 Treadmill
With every new version of their entry treadmill, Smooth keeps on giving you a better value. With the Smooth 5.45, they took a proven design and beefed it up.

What makes this a value proposition, is the fact that the 5.45 is one of the most solid and durable machines for $1,000. This is not one of those throw away treadmills you get from the giant retailers.

Note: This treadmill is recommend for walkers and light joggers. Runners will want to upgrade.
Customer Reviews (This is on the Smooth 5.25, which is replaced by the 5.45.)

Solid, reliable, comfortable - I have owned and used the Smooth Fitness 5.25 Treadmill for about six months. I've had lower-cost treadmills, and you do get what you pay for. (Though I don't see that spending $3000 gains all that much.) This one is definitely worth the price. It's comfortable and stable, and a pleasure to use. My significant other and I put around 30 miles per week on it, so we're not heavy users like runners in training. We both use the power incline and vary the speed a lot.
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I was hesitant to order a treadmill on line. The lack of variety in the local shopping lead me to research the treadmills on line and I did order this unit online. I'm glad I took the chance. This is a great treadmill. I have done some jogging, mostly walking. It compares with some of the treadmills at my local gym. I walk about 10 miles a week on it. So far so good. I paid the extra delivery charge and the box was put in the room I requested. It is a large, heavy box and the extra $49.00 was well worth it. my husband put it together in less than an hour. - Judy

The Sole F80 Treadmill gets solid reviews for offering quality components at a moderate price. We awarded it a "Best Buy" in the $1,000-$2,000 price category.

For the money you get heart rate control, large 2 ¾" rollers, a good size 20" x 55" belt, powerful 3.0 HP motor, lifetime motor and 2 year labor. You'll find few treadmills in this price range that offer more then one year of home service and repairs.

The 2¾" rollers are the largest you will find in this price range. In general the larger the rollers the better, since they have to revolve less often. They guarantee long life of not only the rollers, but also the bearings and the belt.

I was impressed with the Cushion Flex running surface, which in a study was shown to reduce impact by 365%. Helps to reduce the possibility of injuries and strains. Also the incline goes to a full 15% for those that like intense hill training.

Note: For 2008 the F80 was upgraded with a 3.0 continuous duty HP motor. This motor has sufficient torque to run smoothly and quietly at high speeds and steep inclines. It is covered with a lifetime warranty. In addition, the F80 now has built-in speakers, which allows you to connect your MP3 and iPod players.

Sole's folding frame design originated from the demand of hotels for a treadmill as mobile as a room service cart, yet still stable and powerful. So whether it's a hotel room or your family room, you have the best of both worlds.

The Sole F80 treadmill has six preset programs, two customizable workout programs and two heart rate programs. This will provide challenges for both the novice and the elite athlete.

Additional features on the F80 include cooling fans (We like cooling fans), and speed and incline controls on the arm rests. Having the controls on the arm rests makes for simple adjustments in contrast to awkwardly having to reach over to the console. This is especially true if you are running.

The console is one of the better designs we've seen. It is visually appealing and the layout is very practical. You get speed, incline, time, distance, calories burned, pulse and pace displayed in separate windows. There is no need to scroll for information. There is also a an addition window that displays a 1/4 mile track, or and a Peak and Valley graph.

Our Sole F80 Review

There are a number of factors that resulted in the Sole F80 treadmill receiving our "Best Buy" award:
• For a folding treadmill it is very stable. At 250 lbs, you get a very solid feel.
• The best warranty at this price range, including lifetime motor, 5-year parts and 2-year service warranty.
• An impressive track record with hotel chains. If it holds up in a commercial environment, think what it will do in your home.
• Excellent components and features, including the 2¾" rollers, 3.0 HP motor, 20"x 55" belt, and wireless heart rate control.

The combination of price, quality and features makes this an excellent buy.
It should be noted since reviewing both Sole Treadmills and Ellipticals, we have received only one email from a customer asking where to get a minor mechanical problem fixed. More impressive is that fact we have never had a complaint regarding customer service, except for units bought through Dick's, which does their own service. It appears Sole does an excellent job standing behind their products.

One last note, I was at a fitness equipment store that did not carry Sole, but stocked brands like Vision and Life Fitness. In talking to the store manager, he said if he had a choice of a treadmill at $1,500 he would go with the Sole F80.
This F80 will adequately accommodate both walkers and joggers. Serious runners should consider the Sole F85.

ConsumerSearch.com
Based on a variety of reliable sources, ConsumerSearch.com rated the F80 "Best mid-range folding treadmill." They mention it has comparable features found in more expensive models.

Customer Reviews
I purchased a Sole F80 for our home at the beginning of the year. I am an avid runner (25 miles per week) and my wife likes to run and walk daily. In addition, we have two 14 year old children who are also active in sports. We are very pleased with all aspects of our treadmill purchase. We looked closely at the inexpensive treadmills at Sears and decided on the Sole F80 because of the high reviews.

It is used daily in our home and currently lives in the corner of our family room. It is easy for my wife to move the F80 in to position and lower the deck and after use, put the F80 back. At 190 lbs, I was concerned with the construction of the F80 and found it to be very well made and very stable during use even with my weight and speeds. I currently am training at 8 - 8.5 mph.

Recomendation - Highly recommended and excellent value!
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"My wife and I have used our new sole teadmill for a few months now, and can say it has met every need that we have. This treadmill is very sturdy and super quiet. It has a pretty good speaker system on it too. It should last for many years. Much safer than running up and down a busy highway. Well built product/worth every penny."
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"I bought this treadmill online without even trying it in stores. This had me a little worried because I wanted a nice and stable treadmill since I like to run. Well, I was NOT disappointed in this treadmill. It is by far better than any treadmill I have used anywhere (including gyms)... Over all, this is a WONDERFUL machine, if you dont buy it its your loss."
Sole F80 Manufacturer Treadmill Specs:
• Motor: 3.0 HP Continuous Duty Motor. Adequate for walking and running.
• Speed: 0.5 to 11 mph
• Incline: 15% maximum, rack and pinion gear design
• Machine Weight: 250 lbs. (Extra weight contributes to stability.)
• Deck Size: 33 X 75 - Custom Flex Whisper Deck. Sufficiently absorbs impact.
• User Weight: 300 lbs.
• Running Surface: 20 X 55
• Belt: Double Woven 2 Ply
• Rollers: 2 3/4 inches (Large roller extends life of motor, rollers, belt and bearings.)
• Folding: Yes, with the Easy Assist folding feature
• Heart Rate Control: Yes, with wireless chest strap included
• Hand Pulse Grips: Yes, and arm rest speed/incline controls
• Display Color: One Color - Red
• Standard Programs: Six
• User Defined Programs: Two
• Heart Rate Programs: Two
• Cooling Fans: Yes
• Shipping: Free in the continental US
Warranty: Treadmill Motor, Lifetime - Deck, Lifetime - Frame, Lifetime - Electronics / Belt / Rollers, 5 years - Labor, 2 years