Help! 5 weeks to firm(er) arms

[munchies]

Hi everyone...I'm looking for good ways to firm up my upper arms and shoulders, and I have 5 weeks to do it! We're going to a wedding and I'd like to wear a sleeveless top or dress, so I'd like to firm up. Any good ideas on what type of exercises to do with weights? I have a couple of videos (Kathy Smith, maybe someone else) that use weights, but I haven't been very diligent at using them in the past. What about push ups? I do carry around my 25 lb. toddler, so I'm not completely flabby :)

Any ideas? Is 5 weeks really a reasonable time to see a difference?

Thanks -
Heather

[DmOrtega]

Pushups will do the job. You can do them against a counter or on the floor. Do them in sets and over a few weeks you will notice the difference. Have fun.

[amcleod]

5 weeks is totally reasonable. Just do some stuff while watching TV. Three sets each of bicep curls, tricep extentions, lateral raises, overhead presses, etc. and the all-mightly push up as already suggested!

[munchies]

Can I do the push ups everyday and then weights every other? I don't think you're supposed to do upper body weights everyday, right?

Thanks again -
Heather

[Paula H]

Remember to keep your elbows tight by your sides while doing push-ups, in order to work your arms more. If you do them with the elbows pointing outwards, you're working your chest.

As irritating as she is, I find Denise Austin's Hit The Spot Arms a good, quick reminder to do some arm work regularly. The three sections are only ten minutes each, so not too hard to fit into the day somewhere (even if I am doing it at 10 at night).

Tricep dips are my favourite - they sure tire you out, but you can fairly quickly start to find them easier and that makes you feel good!