I thought that I was overcoming my ongoing fatigue, but this week has proved me wrong. Now, it could definitely be a factor of the on-going snow and rain that we've been having in the Mid-west. I'm not sure, but Monday and Wednesday I STRUGGLED through yoga (looking at the clock every 5 mins), and Tuesday I came straight home, showered and was in bed by 8. I'm booked for a late evening swim tonight, so hopefully I won't be completely exhausted by the end of the day. This wouldn't be a major problem if it weren't for the fact that I endeavor to workout every night (beginning on Saturday) w/no breaks. Since I am out of town next Saturday, and most likely will not be able to work out, then I intend to work out on Tuesday (my normal off day) instead. Sooooo...I've got six solid days of working out ahead of me. However, I am soooo looking forward to the tiny break that I'll get next weekend. Three days of no working out and no dieting (still healthy eating, but not dieting). Awesomeness! Oh yeah, and I get to catch up with my conscience. That's never a bad thing ;-)

Ok, I don't know if you all know, but I've always been a member of the IBTC (some of you all know what that means). However, when I have a bit of weight on me, then the girls tend to get a bit fuller. Since I am slimming down, then they are as well. I do like my ladies (both big and small), but I decided to investigate some exercises to keep them firm and high.

From www.ivillage.com:

"...let me give you a quick anatomy lesson. Your breasts are actually made up of fatty or adipose tissue, so their size depends upon how much fat you tend to store there, which calls in factors like your genetics, your weight, your health and your age. The muscles that reside directly underneath your breast are called the pectorals. They are partly responsible for the "perkiness" of your breasts.

So to answer your question: No, you can't do anything about the size of your breasts (short of gaining weight or getting surgery.) However, you can make them appear bigger, firmer and more shapely by working your pectoral muscles, a.k.a your chest muscles.

But the good news is that you can tuck that twenty dollar bill back inside your bra -- there is no magical product, cream or device that will help you put your best breasts forward. I'm going to recommend three exercises for you to do at home that won't cost you a dime and will put more boom in your boom-chicka-boom in 6-8 weeks. Simply do 1-3, 8-15 rep sets of each move, 2-3 times a week and I guarantee you'll see results! Have fun.

1. The Modified Push Up

1. Lie on your stomach, bend your knees, and cross your ankles. Bend your elbows and place your palms on the floor a bit to the side and in front of your shoulders. Straighten your arms and lift your body so you're balanced on your palms and knees. Tuck your chin a few inches toward your chest so your forehead faces the floor. Tighten your abdominals.
2. Bend your elbows and lower your entire body at once. Rather than trying to touch your chest to the floor, lower only until your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Push back up. Don't lock your elbows at the top of the movement and don't do the dreaded "head bob." That's when you dip your head toward the floor without moving any other part of your body.

2. Soup Can Press

1. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and a soup can or dumbbell in each hand. Push the soup cans up so your arms are directly over your shoulders and your palms face away from you. Pull your abdominals in but don't jam your back into the floor; don't let it arch way up, either. Tilt your chin toward your chest.
2. Lower the soup cans down and a little to the side until your elbows lightly touch the floor. Push the weights back up, taking care not to lock your elbows or allow your shoulder blades to rise off the floor. (Note: Use soup cans of equal weight. When those get too light, you can fill two Pinesol bottles with dried beans or pebbles.)

3. Incline Fly

1. Lie on the floor with your head, neck and upper back propped up against several large pillows. Hold a soup can or dumbbell in each hand and press the weights directly above your chest, palms facing each other. Tuck your chin to your chest to align your neck with the rest of your spine, and maintain your natural back posture, neither arched nor flattened.
2. Spreading your arms apart so that your elbows travel down and to the sides, lower the weights until your elbows lightly touch the floor. Maintaining a constant bend in your elbows, lift the weights back up, imagining that you have a barrel lying on your chest and you have to keep your arms wide to reach around it."

We'll see how well this lady's advice works. Lastly - I should have new pics to post soon. I'll be at my Biggest Loser half-way point next weekend, and since I plan to spend some time in a bikini, then I will try to do some more comparison pics.

Ciao!