There are no miracles for a slimmer and more toned you, but there are small changes you can choose to make in your lifestyle that will help you achieve a more toned slimmer sexier you.

Key truth:

You are a combination of nature and nurture. What this means is that I am only so tall this is determined by my genes. Even if I wanted to become a professional basketball player I can become good, this is determined by the actions (nurture) that I choose to do but not professional. So the starting point is to make achievable measurable goals for yourself and to work towards these. You are not going to get trim in a week, and you will not stay trim unless you continue with the lifestyle changes you have made.

Exercise and nutrition: The path to a fitter you requires a commitment on both the fitness front and the nutrition front. I am not proposing to starve yourself or go on yo-yo diets because you know those don't work, and the result will be a slimmer but not more toned you. I am also not proposing to sweet in the gym for hours and then eat a box of diet cookies; you and I know that will result in muscles covered in fat.

Step by step: The key to success are gradual maintainable changes to your lifestyle and incorporation of the actions into your daily routine. The result is both results in your body and how you feel the response you will get from others and a sustainable way of life.

Part II: Small Changes

Small changes to start with:

Tuck it in! Yes that muffin top that hangs over tuck it in.

Sounds simple enough but hard to remember to implement so start out with 15 minutes a day. Start with 15 minutes a day, pick a time to just suck in your tummy, breath but suck it in, anywhere at work, in your car, jogging, lying on the couch SUCK IT IN. Believe me even if it did nothing it would make your tummy look better because its not hanging out all amoeboid.

What it does do. Tucking your tummy in for 15 minutes a day trains the muscles in your stomach to contract and trains you too keep your tummy in. The results is building muscles in your tummy. Start with 15 minutes, little by little incorporate more tucking into everything you do.

Posture: "Tits over toes" my belly dance teacher would yell. If you see your toes or your stomach while just standing and looking down that means what other are seeing is hunched shoulders, small breasts, large stomach regardless of your chest or waist size.

The change. Look straight raise your nose, just a little so not to appear snobbish. Straighten your shoulders. Tuck in your stomach. Lean your chest forward enough to not see your toes or stomach but enough to have a straight back.

The new image: One head taller, large breasts small stomach and oh so elegant.

Moderation: Dieting and nutrition does not mean giving up all the things you love and eating only salad or growing your food in order to eat (unless you have the time of course). Food is meant to be enjoyed. The sensation from a good meal, especially one that is shared goes to the brain's happiness centers. Eating is about moderation. One more tip from a belly dance teacher "Eating or ordering more then you want is waste, it either gets thrown out or goes to your waist".

What's half as fattening as one sandwich? Half a sandwich ( I think that is in some movie). How do you decrease the guilt from eating that triple chocolate raspberry cake (or fill in the blank with your favorite)? Share it with a friend. Don't think you can fit the entrée, order an appetizer.

Alternative Snacks: If you are one of those who starts dosing of at 3 o'clock (guilty as charged) and you absolutely NEEEEEED that cookie to make that stressful day finally end, look for an alternative, fruits for example. If you are in the city chances are there is a fruit stand near by, pick up a fruit salad or a green apple, and better yet bring in some fruits cut them up when you need them. Sprinkle a little granola to get some fiber, add a spoon of honey for a bit of sweetness on those special days.

If you need the chocolate kick go for the darker less sweeter types, dark chocolate has less calories, more protein, less additives, milk and sugars then milk chocolate.

Exercise: Don't make gym the only place to exercise, make exercise a part of your day. If you are sitting at work all day, get up and walk around the block. Take the scenic route to the copy machine. Use the stairs instead of the escalator. Get out one subway stop earlier and walk. Better yet if you are close enough pick to or from and walk. If you are on a date instead of taking the cab, walk at least part of the way it's more romantic and better for both of you to walk of that meal.

You can do this. Set short term achievable measurable goals for yourself and you will be on the path to a better, healthier and happier you.