Tone up faster, better

4. Working large muscle groups burns more fat. Pasternak's program targets large muscle groups in four of the five workouts (the other is for smaller muscles, triceps and biceps). In a week, you'll work the front and back of your body equally for balanced results.

5. With a traditional program, your muscles adjust to the same routine week after week. 5-Factor has different exercises for each of the five days of the week, and for each week of the five-week cycle, Pasternak changes the number of sets, the level of resistance and the rest periods so your body never gets comfortable enough to stop improving.

Want to save even more time? Cut out your commute and create a home gym. All you need is an incline bench, a set of weights ranging from 5 to 20 pounds (to start -- you'll get stronger so at some point, you'll expand your set), a skipping rope and a balance ball.

Quit weighing yourself
Aside from time, there are other trip-ups to getting fit, especially for women. "Throw away the bathroom scale," insists Pasternak. "Weight fluctuations can really de-motivate women, but often have nothing to do with actual weight gain." As well, he notes that women tend to overtrain whichever area of their bodies they're most unhappy with, and that delivers minimal results. In fact, it creates muscle imbalances, irregular proportions and can lead to injury.

"The best thing you can do to overcome fitness challenges is stick to the plan," says Pasternak. "You'll see steady results, you'll know when you've achieved your goals. That's empowering."

If you're wondering how effective this short, frequent, intense-workout program is, take a look at Pasternak's celebrity clients, musicians Alicia Keys and John Mayer or actress Halle Berry. Or flip through his books: One success story in 5-Factor Fitness is about a 74-year-old woman who went from being arthritic and inactive to climbing Kilimanjaro. Or check out www.5factordiet.com. Or ask me.

I started 5-Factor three years ago and despite frequent fitness breaks, I've lost more than 50 pounds and significantly re-shaped my body, my lifestyle and my thinking. If I can do it, you can do it. Probably better.

You don't have to go broke to get fit. Try some of our 10 budget fitness tips for easy-on-the-wallet workouts.

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