I love fitness videos. I don’t actually do the exercise, of course, but I enjoy watching other people while pondering how I would look if I were in that exercise studio, next to those toned and trim workout wizards.

Actually, depending on the outfits they’re wearing in the video, I often can’t really imagine myself having the courage to come out of the dressing room, much less bending, crunching and lifting.

Watching other people sweat fits beautifully with my other favorite spectator sport—watching people cook and bake. First I watch someone like Paula Deen or the Ace of Cakes, then I work it off by watching someone else exercise.

It’s the circle of life for the couch potato.

But every now and then, I see someone who motivates me to get off my rapidly spreading behind and move with them. That’s what happened the first time I saw Chris Freytag, Fitness Goddess (perhaps not her actual title) for Prevention.com.

Maybe it’s her incredibly toned arms, her shockingly impressive abs, or her friendly, you can do it smile.

Or maybe it’s just that I can’t fit into my clothes anymore and will have to fashion a dress from a garbage bag and twine if I don’t get some serious, fat burning exercise.
I can see it now: Ms. Lewis’ wardrobe courtesy of the Hefty Couture Collection.

Anyway, all the Chris Freytag Howdinis in the diet and fitness section have been personally tested by me, an aging, formerly fit, overworked webstress. Believe me, if I can do these, you can.

Plus, they’re only a few minutes long, people.

When we taped these segments with Chris, I couldn’t help but notice that she was incredibly sunny and positive and friendly. Of course, if I looked like Chris does in spandex, I’d be cheerful all the time, too.

And I can tell you for a fact that the workout strategy of watch, rewind, repeat will do nothing to firm up those bingo wings, no matter how vigorously you wield the remote control. Believe me, I tried. So HERE is Chris with a workout to tone upper arms.

Now if only Hefty made workout clothes….

–Shelley