FIRMING HER ARMPIT AREA

Dear Jellybean,

I've lost a lot of weight over the past couple of years, but some places in my body that lost weight have remaining flab that just wont go away. Especially in my armpits, and down towards where my bra normally is. I do weights that I was convinced that would help firm that flab, but I don't see much improvement around the area. It's still as flabby as ever. Do you have any workouts I can use to tighten that extra skin?
-Lost Faith

Dear Lost Faith,

Congratulations on losing the weight, and welcome to the reality of workouts: It is impossible to "spot train". Meaning, it's great to do exercises to tone your muscles in areas that seem flabby... but that isn't going to get rid of the fat, which is what keeps you from seeing that muscle.

If you maintain a healthy diet, continue lifting weights and do some cardio, you can reduce the flab. Can you lose it around your armpits? Sure you can... but only your body will decide when (or if) the fat over that particular area will go. It can be a long process, so hang in there, and make sure you're doing the exercises properly. That means doing each rep slowly, on the way up and down, so you can really feel your muscles working - not being sloppy, or rushing through the exercise.

There are lots of great books on arm and chest workouts, which you can probably find at your local library. You can visit your movie store for DVD workouts too. Or, browse the web for free upper body workouts, if you feel like yours isn't doing the trick. About.com (click here) has a good one, and you can browse Google for more.