I sure didn’t.

START PRACTICING YOUR POSING

You think posing like a body builder comes naturally? Think again.

You’ll be amazed how difficult it is to flex every muscle on at least half of your body, in front of a photographer you’ve barely met, in full make-up (girls) and a bathing suit, greased up like a pig, all the while with a smile on your tired face.

Upcoming weeks of StartTodayFitness will guide you step-by-step through flexing and posing.

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This very thick oil also has color enhancers to increase your muscle definition.

We had a lot of trouble finding posing oil at the last minute. I hear a lot of other folks do, too. So you might want to give yourself a checkmark and just get it here/now:

http://totfit.safeshopper.com/90/597.htm

Find a full-length mirror and plan to spend least 30 minutes in front of it, every day, today through photo day. While this may feel uncomfortable, if you can’t do it in front of yourself, how will you be able to do it in front of a photographer?!

Start by getting to know your body. We found this uncomfortably weird. After all, people who look at themselves in the mirror too much are egotistical! Right?

You are not an ego-maniac. Your body has changed. YOU have changed. It’s time to meet the new you. Begin this exercise today and you’ll be much more physically AND mentally prepared for your upcoming photos.

Perhaps the most important part of flexing is your breathing. The last four weeks of our challenge, I found an aerobic breathing video and audio tape that not only increased my muscle tone, it helped me prepare my breathing for photo day. After learning the ropes with the video, I practiced BREAThin in my car every morning on my way to work.

Then each evening Gino and I practiced our posing.

Put on some clothes that actually show parts of your body. You may be ready for a swimsuit or you might want to put on a sports bra and some bike shorts (guys, you can forgo the sports bra =o). But put on something that reveals a little more of the new you than you’re used to seeing.

Start by tightening up every muscle in your body for about 10 seconds at a time. Look around to each muscle group to see how it moves.

Facing the mirror, start with your legs. Pick one leg and put it slightly in front of your body, toe pointed down. Softly shake your quadricep of your forward leg (as if you’re doing the Hokey Pokey!), then firmly flex that quad. Flex the forward leg, all the way down to your calf.

Then, staying flexed, concentrate on your other leg. Flex those muscles! Quads, calves and hamstrings. All of them! Do this until it begins to feel comfortable – at least 30 minutes each day.

We did this every day, for at least 5 days of Week 9.

Consider asking around at the gym for someone who trains body builders and knows posing. Many Body-for-LIFErs who haven’t had a trainer throughout their transformation work with one for the last few weeks to best prepare them for photos.

The right personal trainer may help you prepare to pose for some of the most important photos of your life!

So, what are you sitting there for? Start posing! =o)