Too many books out there to list. I have some oldie but goodies, like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Exercise book (from the 1980's I think). It has a beginner's section, which covers the range of basic exercises to do before you work up to working out at a gym. I have an old Jane Fonda's workout book. It's excellent. And if you've ever seen any of her exercise tapes, she usu. had a section in her workout tapes (which were aerobics) of floor work. Don't forget that you can do the same resistance exercises usu. with or without hand weights. So even though a book might have hand weights being used, you can always do them w/o the weights. Another thought: The U.S. Air Force has a recommended routine. This used to be given to patients by doctors for working out. Amazon.com has a book on this, as well as other floor workout/resistance workout books. Don't forget about using exercise BANDS. They are perfect for traveling and add resistance. Any book on Pilates would be good, I would think. I have basic Pilates tapes, and there are a number of the exercises that do not use exercise balls or any equipment at all. A plus is that these are not time consuming. Good luck!

Walked the 2 mile walk for abs today. Good workout. Glad to see ya back, Vickey. Hey, did you see MaryAnn there? If so, did you ask her where she's been? I get in the groove here, and she dissappeared. Wish some others would join us. I really plan on keeping this up, it makes you feel so much better and I am going to get those 20 lbs off or else. Wanda

I tried the tape last night and again this morning. I only did ½ mile each time. I've just really let myself get into bad shape! I used to always have toned muscles in my legs even when I didn't walk, but I guess all this inactivity at my new job is showing up!! I can feel a little burn in my legs with just the ½ mile. I think tomorrow I will do the entire mile.(entire mile??? I used to think 1 mile was nothing! LOL) Do you do any step exercises, Vickey? I used to walk at the school track which is around the football field. I would walk 1 mile and then do steps on the bleachers. The muscles in my calfs started getting too big, so I stopped doing the steps! I do have a step here at home and I think I will start doing a few steps to music. I figure any movement is better than no movement! And since I do have some weight to lose the activity will help! I am looking forward to adding the belt exercise to the mile walk. I hope it will help strenghten my abs. But I think it will help tone my upper arms, and I really need toning there too! MaryAnn

Vickey, Both toning and stretching are important. you need to do some toning and then stretching when you are done. I would suggest looking into the Body For Life exercise routine. It is not alot to do but very effective. I tried the program for two weeks and could see results in my arms already. I did not follow the eating plan though, I think it is more geared towards weight lifters, not dieters, I actually gained on the plan. And yes, I know muscle weighs more than fat and I probably didn't gain weight after all, but still, I have about 30-35 more pounds to lose and I want to lose it, not just tone up the fat I have. If you would like the info on the exercise routine you can email me. GinaMarie