Fitness guru Julie Barroukh wants to do for resistance training what Suzanne Somers did for the "Thigh Master."  

"Women NEED to do weight training. Period. Cardiovascular exercise and stretching are other important components of a well-rounded fitness program. But weights are key," she tells The Well Mom.

Preaching the benefits comes from a very personal place for this Los Angeles mom.  The 43-year-old mother of three dropped all of her baby weight and went from a size 12 to a size 4 through muscle building workouts. But it took nearly a decade to generate the motivation to get her tush to the gym.

  After having three babies in less than four years, Barroukh says she didn't recognize herself.  One day she caught a glimpse of her sleep deprived self in a mirror and realized she had become someone she barely knew.

"The woman I saw was fat and frumpy...I decided it was time to get my body back," she says.

The next morning, she signed up for some personal training sessions.  From the start, weights became a central part of her routine three days a week.  Gradually, she started ramping up her heart rate with the elliptical cross trainer, treadmill, and Stairmaster in addition to cutting back on junk food and her portion sizes.   Eight months later, Julie was 40 pounds lighter and on the verge of making another major life change.

With her newfound passion for exercise, Julie became a certified personal trainer and parlayed her expertise as a former TV producer into developing "Moms With Muscle," a series of fitness DVD's.

Eight years later, she is still a size 4 and keeping up the habits that changed her life.

"I'm just amazed at the power of my body. And it feels good because I know I'm taking care of it now,"
she says.

Learn more from Julie at www.juliebfit.com
Later this month, look for Julie B's Crunch-time Dinner Shortcuts

JULIE B's Secret Weapons

1.    Exercise every day. Julie's regimen includes weights at least three times per week and cardio at least five days a week.

2.    Work out the same time every day. Julie says, "It becomes part of your routine like brushing your teeth."

3.    Eat throughout the day. Julie eats breakfast EVERY day "without fail or question," a mid-day snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack and a light early dinner.

*The Well Mom wants to remind you to consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine