Blame Michelle Obama or any of the A-list actresses out there who flaunt their “great guns” in gorgeous sleeveless dresses. Stop being a hater. They earned those arms. They’ve also created a modern phenomenon amongst women called “arm envy.” Top wellness expert JJ Virgin says that “arms are the new accessory” and she’s not kidding! Put down the Prada and give away the Gucci. A great set of arms in a Target tank top says it all.
Now that it’s bathing suit and tank top season, it’s time to address those two limbs that have been hiding under those cushy sweaters all winter long. The good news is you don’t have to hate your arms anymore or be embarrassed by them. Virgin hits home in her new book, “Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy,” when she talks about how arms actually limit the lives of many women who refuse to go to the beach, pool or even attended dressy functions because they figure it will take 10 shrugs to cover up the area of their body they hate the most. Who doesn’t feel for the woman in her book who says that in all the family photos she “looks like a linebacker.” Or there’s a bride who is in tears because most wedding gowns are, yes, sleeveless.
As a top fitness pro, Virgin tackles the problem once and for her and her plan is shockingly easy, comprehensive and can be done for little cash. It also makes complete sense for your overall health, wellness and energy levels, which will soar thanks to this program. As for the particulars, just grab a mat, a fitness ball, a few weights and put on your cross trainers. She attacks all the areas contributing to your arm fat including your motivation, eating issues and lack of sleep (more on that in a moment.) Then she offers up the exact exercises you will need to tone up.
It’s not all lifting weights and pushing up. The great news is that she offers a cardio program that takes under half an hour a few times a week and really does melt off the fat. Then there are the arm exercises that she explains in detail, as if she was standing next to you as your own personal trainer. Along the way, there are great tips called Armed & Dangerous that will keep you moving forward on the plan.
What’s great about this book is you don’t have to be a medical doctor to “get it.” It’s written for women, touching on a nerve, and explains in a simple way how to get rid of this demon for good. Another great aspect here is that Virgin offers two other reasons for your body issues with weight including lack of sleep and stressing out. An actual part of her program is having you rest more and stress less. Busy women everywhere don’t have to feel guilty because they’re doing it for their own health. Yes, you really need 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night for your overall health. Saying no to that PTA bake sale is actually good for you.
Virgin also gets into the beauty of having great arms with a team of stylists and skin care experts who reveal how to create glowing, tan, gorgeous limbs with the help of creams, luminizers and bronzers. They’ll explain all the tricks to the lean, lovely arms you see in the magazines. Her style expert discusses sleeve lengths for arms of all sizes including how to wear the dreaded cap sleeves and how to go sleeveless with confidence. Virgin even asks a top California-based photographer on the best way to pose with your arms, so that your photos will show your great guns.
In the end, it comes down to if it works. By the way, it works wonders because Virgin sent the book out early this winter for this reviewer to try. Not only is a tank top in the future, but two pant sizes are gone and a third is about to slide off. (Honest confession: During a later cardio session in old sweats, they did almost hit the sidewalk!) Virgin jokes that although the book is for your arms that you shouldn’t blame her if the rest of your body shapes up and you feel a surge in energy, too.
Now, if only Virgin could write companion books for our hips, thighs and stomach – stat.
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