Many of us like to imagine that with a few simple exercises, we can get rid of that annoying "pouch" on our stomach, or the flabby "bat-wing" look under our arms. But for real results in any exercise routine, first you need to be aware (and avoid) some of the common traps and misconceptions that new exercisers often fall into. Over the next few articles, we'll explore some of these pitfalls. Then we'll look at some of my favorite exercises for a well rounded way to tone your body.

The most common problem people have when starting a new exercise routine is that they grow frustrated with it quickly. There's a lot of factors to this frustration, but one of the most common culprits is important to understand. It's because they don't understand how it works. Their expectations cannot be met, because they aren't aware of one of the most common weight loss myths. because it will change what a lot of you believe to be true about exercise.

YOU CANNOT REMOVE WEIGHT FROM ONE AREA. That's right. Tired of your pudgy thighs or love handles? Think doing sit ups will take care of all that extra stomach fat? Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Believe me, if doing leg extensions could fix my thighs, I'd have legs like Rebecca Romjin!

Now that you've heard the bad news, take a few deep breaths and compose yourself, because there is hope. You may not be able to specifically remove fat from one part of your body, but you can remove fat overall. And really, isn't that better in the end? It may not be a quick fix and take some time, but burning excess fat from all over will help you look and feel better in the end.

What's that, you say? But most of my extra fat is in one or two problem areas? If that's so, most of the fat you lose will come from those areas. Your body can't burn fat that doesn't exist, after all - it will naturally go to where the largest deposits of fat are stored. So it's a win-win - you improve your health (not just body) by doing an appropriate cardio work out several times a week, AND you burn up the fat you wanted to anyway.

If you're one of the unlucky ones who, no matter what you do, just can't seem to lose the extra fat around your thighs, or butt, or what-have-you, maybe it's time to face a great truth of life. Sometimes you just can't fight the Great Order of Stuff - in this case, your body type. For me, it's my thighs. I swear no matter how lean the rest of my body is, I will always feel as self-conscious about my thighs as if I had been up there with Britney Spears for the VMA's. I've just learned that not only can't you fight your body, sometimes you should be happy that maybe, just maybe, your body knows better than you do. Every body is built a little different, and that's the way it's supposed to be. Instead of focusing on what you percieve - and I stress the word percieve - as being a defect, sometimes it's time to admit that maybe that's the way you were designed, and that's okay. In fact, it's great! There is no "right" body - what matters more is just good health and good sense.

Of course, this is all from a girl with a big butt! :) Stay tuned for the next few articles, where we'll discuss a few more exercise pitfalls. Then once we're clear on what not to do, we'll explore what really works.