What advice would you give to other women looking to get in shape? Don’t be afraid to lift weights, you won’t look like a bodybuilder.  It seems that a misconception is to just do loads of cardio to get in shape.  Cardio is important, but it is just one piece of the puzzle.  Muscle will make you look tighter and the more muscle you have the more calories you can burn.  Plus, you break the monotony of hours on the elliptical trainer (or whatever machine you use).  The other piece to get in shape is nutrition and diet, which is the hardest to get used to, but the most effective to getting your body in shape. What would be your advice for breaking through a plateau? Change your workout routine at regular intervals.  Your body adapts, so if you stop seeing changes try different workouts and exercises.  An important note about reaching a plateau is to make sure you are not over-training. Trying to push through while over-training may have detrimental effects to the central nervous system (CNS).  Also remember that your body does need a break every once in a while.  And finally, what would be your top five tips for getting great abs? 5: Challenge your abs just as you would any other body part.  4: Train consistently-make time to get to the gym or workout wherever you are. 3: Use a variety of different exercises to hit the lower abs, upper abs and obliques. 2: Cardio!!! You can’t have great abs with a layer of belly fat on top, so do consistent cardio 1: Eat clean.  This is the single most important factor in showing off your hard work.  If you eat a balanced diet with 6-7 small meals per day your abs will shine! Good Luck Amanda