Fitness and Muscle Work

Yoga is a known stress buster, but it's also one of the most effective workouts for fighting stubborn fat stores, especially the ones that crop up after age 40. The reason: Studies show that it lowers levels of stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity--a signal to your body to burn food as fuel rather than store it as fat. The following workout will do just that while firming up your arms, legs, butt, and abs. Start now to see results in as little as 3 weeks. Workout at a glance What you need: A yoga mat or carpeted space How to do it: Follow this routine at least 3 times a week, holding each move 1 time for 3 to 5 deep breaths, unless otherwise noted. Start with the Main Move for each exercise. If it's too difficult, do the Make It Easier variation. If it's not challenging enough, try the Make It Harder option. For faster results: Hold each pose for 5 to 8 breaths and increase repetitions (where noted) by 2 or 3. MAIN MOVE: Crescent [Firms abs, hips, and thighs] S...