Toning for Teens: The 20 Minute Workout That Makes You Look Good and Feel Great

by Joyce L. Vedral

Flat Abs. Tight Butt. Lean Thighs. Kickass Attitude. Get One Great Body! Have you been looking in the mirror and thinking, "I hate my...I can't stand those...I have to hide my..."? Do you want to feel strong and confident in whatever you wear, from jeans to a halter top? No matter what shape you're in now-star athlete or gym class wallflower, string bean, jelly belly, or chunky monkey-you can be fit and fabulous, safely and without starving yourself.

America's #1 Fitness Expert, Joyce Vedral, has helped thousands of teens create their best body. Her foolproof techniques are designed to produce a tight, toned, dynamite figure-and you can start using them right now! The secret is not dieting obsessively. It is working out with Joyce's special toning program and eating right. In fact, with Joyce's daily food plan, you will probably eat more than you do now-but lose fat from the first day. And her 20-minute workout with weights is not only fun, but gives you visible results fast! With her program, you

Get a better body in just 3 weeks...and a terrific body in just 12 weeks!
Develop a figure that's firm and toned instead of soft and flabby
Burn fat...even in your sleep!
Get rid of cellulite
Go down a dress size every 3 weeks if you are overweight
Boost metabolism so you can eat more-without getting fat
Build exciting new strength, balance, and stamina, but no bulky muscles
Increase self-discipline to promote success in all areas of your life!

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

About the author

Joyce L. Vedral, PhD, is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and a trailblazer in women’s fitness. She also holds a PhD in English literature from New York University. With over a million copies of her books and DVDs sold worldwide, she has inspired generations to take charge of their health through strength training and self-belief. Known for her no-nonsense style and warm encouragement, Joyce became a trusted voice not only in fitness, but in personal transformation.
Now, Joyce brings that same passion and conviction to her deepest calling yet: helping people build a direct, personal relationship with God. Unapologetic in her faith and bold in her message, she believes that anyone—no matter where they are in life—can talk to God and get answers. Her mission is simple: to show people they are never alone and that divine guidance is always within reach.
Joyce lives in Florida, still trains every day, talks to God all day, and doesn’t plan on slowing down until He says so.

Reviews

[Haley S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book! I have just started the work out and already feel great! I am not over weight or anything but I want to get toned and this is the perfect book for it!

[Jackie Orlowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a great way to encourage vulnerable teens to develop eating disorders. There is no reason to be telling teenagers to be worrying about getting rid of cellulite, fearing "fat", or getting an "terrific body" in 12 weeks. The messaging of reprimanding a body that is "soft and flabby" and praising one that is "firm and toned" is exactly why we are facing this epidemic where 1 person dies every hour from an eating disorder. This is so damaging for so many reasons. This book is teaching young women (and men I assume) that your size is a factor in your worth and that looking good is a priority. If we taught them instead to treat themselves with LOVE instead of PUNISHMENT, they wouldn't end up in a battle between "good" food and "bad" food, restriction, self loathing, and a lifetime of doubt. Encouraging anyone to eat 15-20g of fat is ridiculous, even bodybuilders trying to attain sub 10% body fat are eating more than that. That's like 1 serving of cheese and 1 serving of peanut butter. This book contributes to a culture of women who are obsessed with how their bodies look for other people, rather than truly caring for themselves and encouraging others. STOP TEACHING YOUNG WOMEN TO HATE THEIR BODIES.

[Tripleguess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to help one maintain overall physical fitness. Beyond that, though, I found that the exercises outlined here were very helpful in dealing with my lower back pain. I suppose that having my muscles in better shape helps my body resist when my back wants to be "out." More, if my back acts up and I do these exercises, I often feel much better afterward, as though things have gone back into place. (I'm not recommending this for everyone; consult your doctor. But in my case it helps.)

My chiropractor helped me trace my back pain to my job, where I tended to pick up stacks that were too big for me and then twist around (oops!) while holding them. I'm training myself to simply not move so fast, pick up so much, or try so hard when at work. It sounds bad but if there is too much to do there is too much to do and it's not my fault if I can't do it all without hurting myself.

Anyway, so taking better care of my body at work has helped greatly, a discreet brace helps in case I stop thinking and pick up too much, and I keep at these exercises to better protect myself from accidental strain. They also serve as a kind of stretch before work, which can't hurt.

Even if I can't do all the reps -- and often, I only do 3-5 reps of the routines -- it still helps. I'm about twice the age of the target group, by the way; you definitely don't need to be a teen to benefit from this book. Highly recommended.

Edit 2012: I've also found that the new "feetie" (also called "five fingered") style of shoes, where the shoe actually has five toes and fits your foot like a glove, greatly reduces my back pain, to the point where I hardly notice it any more. I threw my other shoes in the donation bag.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is marketed towards females not only because of the cover but also all pictures inside the book are of females, but the author states in the first chapter that males can do the same workout with few alterations to the program. Author Vedral covers nine chapters that range from basic information, exercises, myths, proper nutrition, how to stay on the program, and how to stay fit for life. The myths are covers myths and mistakes to avoid, for example myth 14, “If you work out with weights, you will bulk up and lose your coordination (Vedral, 2002).” This book teaches teens the basic of toning and how to say healthy and fit.

[Eveline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really great book! The explanations of the exercises were relatively easy to understand, as was the exercise plan.
They aren't that hard to do either and the only thing the book requires are some sets of dumbells to be bought.
I've not fully started yet, I'm still at doing all the exercises without the dumbells (which is recommended for the first week), I'm curious to see the results in a couple of months.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very helpful and makes me feel confident of myself.