I am 45, had a hysterectomy eight months ago, and have put on 20 pounds. I have finally gotten off my (big) rear to do aerobics and step with videos, and I also do weight training with tapes. The tapes usually include either ab workouts or hip, leg, and bun workouts after the weights. Can I do the weight training after the aerobics videos every day? I really want to get this weight off!

Lucia

Lucia, it's great that you've gotten into working out so consistently. And it's perfectly fine to do weight training after aerobics. Aerobics are a great warm-up for weight training, and you'll continue to burn calories while working with weights, albeit at a much slower rate than with pure aerobics.

Avoid doing the same weight-training exercises on consecutive days. You need at least one day's rest between strength-training workouts to allow time for the muscle group you trained to recover and grow stronger. So don't do the same exercises every day. Break your weight-training sessions down into chest and back exercises one day, shoulder and arm exercises the next, and back to chest and back on day three. This way you can do weights every day without repeating muscle groups.

To work out even harder, add leg exercises like lunges and squats while holding dumbbells in your hands to your program. Do them on a day when your tape doesn't emphasize those muscle groups as much.

I commend you for your dedication, particularly after what I assume was not an easy recovery. Keep up the good work!

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