There's no area more apparent than the abdominals in proving that fitness is a combination of proper nutrition, resistance training and cardiovascular training.

The first place we point to when we perceive to have packed on a few pounds is our paunch. Unfortunately, we convince ourselves that only the genetically gifted can have a belly worth bearing in a bikini.

If you're over 35 and have a few kids, you probably think softening stomachs are a sign of ripening age. So why bother beating ourselves up in the gym? Well, because that tire rounding out your torso is not a mark of maturity; it's a belly full of blubber. Left to weaken, it can contribute to lower back pain and injury.

To achieve awe-inspiring abs, do some weighted abdominal exercises such as the medicine ball twist. Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you and your knees slightly bent. Point your toes upward and keep your heels firmly on the ground. Sit up straight grasping a six-pound medicine ball in front of you. Then, slowly lean back until you feel your abs engage. First, twist to the right side and tap the ball against the floor next to your hip and then execute the same movement on your left side. Make sure you are twisting with your torso and not swinging your arms from side to side. Look toward the side you are twisting to effectively target your abdominals and obliques. Try 12 to 15 reps on each side.

Even when your abdominals are strengthened, if your body fat percentage hovers too high, your midsection will remain mediocre. This is why cardio exercise as well as a healthy diet with lean protein, vegetables, fruit and whole grains are vital.

Committing to 45 minutes of cardio training five to six days a week can effectively blast that belly fat as long as you maintain a nutritionally sound, portion-controlled diet.

Keep your body challenged and confused by routinely changing your routine. Whether you try exercise classes or cardio machines, you'll burn that fat in less time flat. And flat is where it's at when it comes to beautiful abs — tiny, tight and toned.

In leg training and in life, one good turn deserves another. By changing your direction in life, you can place more emphasis on love. By changing the direction of your lunge, you can place more emphasis on your legs.And if you learn to love to lunge, you'll be rewarded with a lovely lower body.By veering off the proverbial path, you can round out some new curves. But on this course, slow the pace. Proper form and positioning are more important than reps.Stand with your feet together and your hands by your side holding 8-pound dumbbells near your hips. Slowly step out to one side at a 45-degree angle with your foot pointing in the same direction of your knee. Lunge forward and deeply enough so that your front knee is almost parallel to the floor and your back leg is outstretched. Then push up from the heel of your front working leg to return to the starting position.Try 12 reps on the first leg and then switch to the other leg for the same number of reps. Eventually increase the amount of reps per leg or increase the weight to keep it challenging.Your screaming quads might want to quit, but endure the burn. The reward is lean, luscious legs.