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A Conversation with Fitness Expert Denise Austin
Rate it! Votes (0) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Tone Your Tummy Type: Flatten Your Belly and Shrink Your Waist in 4 Weeks, by Denise Austin, (2008, Rodale Books)	Tone Your Tummy Type: Flatten Your Belly and Shrink Your Waist in 4 Weeks

When I spoke with Denise Austin, she answered the phone with an enthusiastic "Hi!" that would make any cheerleader envious. If you're familiar with her videos you know she's always enthusiastic on-screen but it apparently carries over to everyday life as well. In fact, Austin credits a positive attitude as being one of the three major components of the fountain of youth, the others being exercise and a healthy diet.

"I came from a big family," she says, "everyone had a positive attitude, especially my mother. It just comes naturally to us."

When asked how she stays positive during bad days she said you just have to focus on who you are and the good things in your life.

It must work. How else could she have the energy to run the fitness empire that has become Denise Austin? In addition to starring in Denise Austin's Daily Workout on Lifetime TV, she appears monthly on QVC, has created over thirty exercise videos, has her own line of workout equipment as well as a signature shoe and bodywear line by Spalding. She can also be seen motivating people on talk shows and her expertise if called upon for fitness magazine articles. In fact, she recently graced the cover of Prevention Magazine, proudly proclaiming her age!

Most people are shocked to learn that the vivacious Austin is 45 years old. In addition to the positive attitude, Austin works out every day and says she eats healthy - mostly raw foods - about 80% of the time. The other 20% are reserved for treats, her favorite being ice cream - coffee or chocolate chip.

"I'm a big believer in moderation," she says.

When it comes to workouts, Denise likes to mix it up. She says she doesn't have one particular favorite type of workout, but prefers a variety of regimens. Some days she'll do cardio some days, others weight training, and some days she'll do yoga or Pilates.

Denise, a former gymnast, got interested in Pilates in about 1990. She said the fitness regime came easily to her, as it was similar to gymnastic warmups. Her latest video, Pilates for Everybody, incorporates her favorite Pilates moves in a complete 45 minutes, full body workout. The new video combines Pilates style exercises with a Dyna Band (a large, long elastic exercise band) to really simulate the effects of a Pilates reformer machine - without the expense or inconvenience of having a big furniture-sized piece of equipment in your home.

I asked Denise if she had any advice for people who are just starting to work out.

"Start slowly," she said. "Do just ten minutes day for the first week or two, then start adding to that time. Before you know you'll naturally be working out for 30 minutes day."

Austin also says that people need to look at activity in general, not just workout time. For instance, on weekends, Denise and her daughters go bike riding.

"It's important to keep active all the time. People sit for too long. It's important to take frequent activity breaks. Get up and walk around or stretch. Do what I call 'fidgetcizes.' For instance, if you're sitting at your desk, pull your stomach in and hold it for a count of ten. There are all kinds of isometric exercises you can do."

When I ask Denise how much time she personally spends working out, her answer is a surprising thirty minutes a day. She says you don't really need more than that providing you stay active. So "fidgetcizes" can actually cut down on gym time. She also says she always tries to work out first thing in the morning, which cuts down on the stress of worrying the rest of the day about when you're going to fit your workout in.

Denise had time efficiency in mind when she designed her Fit Fast video series. Each video in the series focuses on a different problem area - abs, butt and legs, or arms. Each tape has three progressively more difficult, 10 minute workouts, designed to firm, tone and strengthen the target area.

"The tapes really give people a goal to shoot for as they become more challenging," says Denise. "I tell people to do the first workout 3 or 4 times a week for the first two weeks, then move up to the second workout for two week and then the third. In six weeks you've got a progressive programs that can get those trouble areas into great shape."

Ten minutes a day. Wow. Now there really is no excuse for not exercising. Luckily, Austin's enthusiastic attitude is catchy. I think I'll go work out.

Learn more about Denise Austin, her latest projects and schedule of live appearances at her website www.DeniseAustin.com.

Check out Denise Austin's books, DVDs and products at Amazon.com.

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