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[Asezuna]

Sooo, I'm planning to cosplay Yoruichi sometime, but I'm almost completely out of shape. :/ I need toning practically everywhere... (But especially on my arms, legs and butt...) And some advice how to lessen the amount of sweets I eat. Will somebody help me? ^^"

[Mikamura Eiko]

Try 30 day shed! I just started this week! Its a real work out!

[Asezuna]

Oh, wow! It really is... I can barely type with my left hand... (It's a lot weaker than the other one...) Actually... Barely can do anything... (Though I have to...) xD But I wanted to thank you for the tip!

[XxMai-chanxX]

To get your legs toned and get more muscle I suggest a lot of cardio. I play tennis and I do a lot of different foot exercises and i got to the gym.

Anyway, running or jogging on the treadmill or anywhere for a long period of time is great. Bicycling is good. The elliptical machines are great; they burn a ton of calories and your working out your arms and legs. Lifting weights help. Start off slowly with the weights and everything. Just pace yourself, don't push yourself the first time. Curl ups are great for toning your stomach and do at least 300-500 a day. There's also a few footwork exercises I do, but just ask me if you're interested.

[Somsai]

Do a combination of weights and cardio and keep up with your diet.
If you dislike or don't have much knowledge of working out then
try doing some work out programs like P90X, Insanity, or even sports.
As long as you're huffing and puffing you should be fine.
No need to stress it or even rush it.
Results come with patience.
Good luck.

[Lemon-Squeezy]

I seriously recommend the 30 Day Shred too. You can find it on youtube so you don't even have to buy the dvd lol (Go look at before and after pictures! It's amazing!)

As for not eating as many sweets there are few simple things you can do.

One, do not eat or even go into the kitchen unless your really are hungry! Out of site, out of mind (:
You could try a substitute, like eating fruit instead.
If you think you really want it, just try going 20 minutes without it. Usually a craving will go away after that (not always though lol)

and lastly, I know this one sounds weird, but just tell yourself you don't want it. Not you don't need it, you don't want it. I find when I tell myself I can't have something and don't need it, I really, really want it. But if I tell myself I don't want it it actually works.

Good luck!

[NewAgeSpartan]

Typically, switch to a 5 meal spread. Eat 5 smaller meals throughout the day. This can be difficult to do, especially if you have a busy schedule, but it's great for keeping the metabolism pumping and getting proper nutrition so muscle can grow.

If you haven't worked out a lot lately, start out slow. Start out with walking on the treadmill or a light jog 3 times a week and hit the weights twice a week. 8-12 reps/3 sets, working out each body part. Each body part should get 1-2 machines/free weights.

After a month or two, you can start switching over to a more advanced workout spread. At first though, don't go too hard or you will end up injuring yourself.

[Drazhar]

http://www.ginutrition.net/node/418

Just gonna leave this here since I think it fits what you're after.

[Cephas]

Here's an excerpt from Dr. Franco Columbu's Bodybuilder's Nutrition Book:

The best way to banish excess fat is simple--find out what makes you fat and eliminate it forever. In addition, try to maintain a low percentage of fat as long as possible. Every year this percentage is kept at a minimum accustoms the body to staying on a low-fat basis. I maintain a low percentage of body fat by constantly adhering to a habit of eating small meals, avoiding junk food and too many snacks between meals, and graciously refusing all fattening foods people offer me. Above all, I avoid all dairy prodcuts to avoid forming a layer of fat beneath the skin.

(emphasis mine)

Dr. Colum-who? http://youtu.be/ka4USCFQtVY

The important thing is that "diet" should be seen as a long term lifestyle change rather than something you do for one event and forget about forever afterwards.

Eating right is simple--just avoid shit foods like he mentions. As far as terrible calories are concerned, processed packaged foods are worse than fats, IMO. (I eat eggs, yolk included, fried in animal fat).

The mind is the most stubborn "muscle" to work in any fitness or diet program. I suggest keeping a log (you can even use a forum like this for that purpose). Photograph yourself monthly or so, and keep track of your weight and measurements. Above all, your desire to be fit and beautiful must overpower your desire for junk food. One thing I do is I post handwritten signs all over my room that tell me what I wish to achieve.

As for improving your butt... I suggest this video. http://youtu.be/NMqeJdfboN4. Don't worry if you can't squat as deeply as the chick can, she's insanely flexible. One thing that the video omits is that you should add resistance (i.e. weight) as the workouts get easier. One simple thing you could use as weight is a 1 gallon jug (1 gallon of water = 8 pounds). As the squats get easier, add more weight. If you get really strong, I suggest Stronglifts 5x5.

Remember, more weight = better looking thighs and butt.

[Melancholy Wish]

I'm going to cosplay Yoruichi too, so I'm going to lurk this thread.