I am 5'10" and weigh 135 pounds. That's not the problem -- I am a 36D, borderline DD. How can I decrease my chest size? I'm restricted from doing a lot of running and rigorous exercise due to this "attribute." Help!

--angel

Since your "attributes" are glands made up of fatty tissue, the best way to decrease your chest size (without resorting to surgery, which I don't endorse) is to reduce your overall body fat, angel. At 5'10" and 135 pounds, you're certainly not going to be classified as fat. It would be helpful to know your body-fat percentage in order to determine how much body fat you can reasonably lose. You'll need to combine weight training with aerobic exercise. The weight training can make you leaner by increasing your overall muscle mass and speeding your metabolism so you use more calories through the day. I'm an advocate of doing exercise for the whole body, but I'm just going to outline the exercises that I believe are most appropriate to your problem:

• Do lat pull-downs for the big muscles of your back. Your lats are the wide back muscles that are so prominent on swimmers. Adding muscle can balance your physique.
• Increase the muscularity of your pectoral muscles (chest) with any of the following:
  • bench presses (or use a chest machine at the gym)
  • flies (lying on your back with dumbbells)
  • or cable crossovers (in a gym).
• Overhead presses and lateral raises will help build up your shoulders and "widen the triangle," as body builders are fond of saying, making your bust less prominent.
• Bent-over dumbbell flies for the back of your shoulders will help with your posture, keeping your shoulders back and preventing you from becoming round-shouldered as you age.
• Do back extensions for the muscles along your spine (erector spinae) for the same reasons.
• Add in some curls (biceps) and kick backs (triceps), as long as you're developing this great upper body.

Now, you want to run but are uncomfortable doing it. You're not alone, angel. I have a friend whose stature is quite similar to yours -- she combines a sports bra with a sport top for support and control. Many companies make high "MCR" (motion control and restraint) bras for women. They are made with high-tech wicking and stretch fibers in all the right places, and there are many models to choose from. You can add a sport top, which is a form-hugging top (not a bra with cups) made with Lycra and other fabrics, to further minimize motion. It can be a top layer in warmer weather or a middle-wicking layer in colder temperatures. Combined, these garments can make it possible for you to run and participate in sports without being physically uncomfortable or self-conscious. Road Runner Sports (800-551-5558) offers an extensive collection of sports bras and tops.

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