Quotes from Denise Austin

Your lower back contains numerous muscles. One group, called the erector spinae, attaches to your spinal column at different points along your back, allowing you to bend it forward and backward and from side to side. Toning these muscles helps prevent back pain, and it also tightens and firms your entire lower back.

One of the easiest ways to get a buff back is with exercise bands. They're inexpensive, and you can increase resistance by moving a hand to shorten their length.

Most people should not do aerobic exercises for more than 30 minutes, because after that your chances of injury increase.

I enjoy all my relationships with my husband, my kids, my sisters and my girlfriends and maintaining a healthy relationships across the board nurtures my soul.

Aim to eat healthy six days out of the week, and then enjoy what I call a 'super splurge' on the seventh day. It helps you enjoy yourself and not feel so deprived, so you're ready to recommit to healthy eating the following week.

What was cool about my career, Jack LaLanne gave me my first break on TV. I was his co-host.

Yoga is a great form of exercise that stretches and strengthens your muscles simultaneously.

I like to go to yoga classes and sweat a lot.

To me, that's the most exciting aspect of Pilates. It doesn't matter who you are - athlete or couch potato, toned or flabby, man or woman, young or old - you can do it. Every body can benefit.

Fiber and other nondigestible carbs are bulky and tend to slow digestion, which, in turn, eases the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. When glucose enters the bloodstream more slowly, cells are better able to burn it for energy.

Your personal gym should be a place where you can exercise and just be yourself.

I love handfuls of almonds, laced with wasabi flavor - because it is sinus clearing and satisfies that salty craving with a kick!

In other fitness pursuits, you may have learned to go through the motions first and perfect your form second. In Pilates, it's the other way around. You learn to control your abs first and then proceed through a series of more progressive movements. At all times, you should feel in control of your body.

I don't believe in strict diets or starving yourself; eat three meals a day. I believe in eating a good breakfast, a good lunch and a light dinner. Eat breakfast like a king, eat lunch like a queen, and eat dinner like a pauper. Your ultimate goal is to eat all the basic food groups in those three different meals.

There is only one person who can ever know exactly what you want and truly make you happy - that person is you!

Once you get in shape, you'll be amazed at how many other goals you'll want to achieve in your life. Fitness breeds enthusiasm.

No gift list would be complete without a mention of fitness.

I love to go out with my husband and a few friends on Friday or Saturday. Being from Southern California, Mexican food is my favorite, and I normally splurge on enchiladas and margaritas.

If you look in the mirror and think, 'Boy, my body needs a good dose of middle management,' keep in mind that tummy fat could be the result of many things.

I really eat in moderation.

Because Pilates requires you to press your abs toward your spine, you don't want to allow your lower belly to round and press out as air comes into your lungs. You also don't want that abdominal lock to force you to breathe shallowly. To breathe correctly, you must expand your rib cage, primarily through your midback.

As you build muscle, remember that the scale may stay the same, but you won't.

My unique contribution to the fitness industry is bringing fitness into the home through cable, VHS, DVD and now digital formats.

I don't starve myself, and I don't think other people should either.