Chris, As far as I know, there is no way medically proven to reduce sagging skin. Exercise will firm the muscle under neath the fat and skin, will change the shape, but you cannot affect the fat or skin. The best exercises for the trap are shrugs, aronold presses and military presses. Make sure that you are using a heavy enough weight (usually not a problem with men), and that you are exhausting the muscle group each time you work out (to failure--you shouldn't be able to finish the last rep--and you do need a spotter for the military presses, unless you do them on the smith machine). Some people genetically cannot change the shape or size of a muscle, but it does take a while of diligent training before you can assess that. Also, please be sure not to only work your back and shoulders, you will look very funny if you overwork them as compared to your pecs (never knowingly cause a muscular imbalance). I had a friend in college who was on the powerlifting team with me and he looked as if he was hunched over his back was soooo overdeveloped compared to his pecs and abs! He did a great deadlift though! The pain with your tailbone should get better soon! cheers, KarenK

Anthony, It is fine to do both on the same day. If you can do split routines, that might be better (example--cardio in the morning, weights in the afternoon or evening). As for before or after your weight trining, I would say that depends upon your focus--if you are really training hard with the weights, do that first. You should, however, warm up a bit on the bike or treadmill before lifting to loosen up. If increasing your cardio-vascular fitness is your primary focus, then I would do that first. cheers, KarenK

I just started working on my abdominals this week and am in pain! Just wanted to know what the best exercises to try to firm up my excess skin might be. I've just started doing sit-ups for now, I've never really done much else, on the incline at the health club and just on the floor at home. It hurts my tailbone to do it on the floor (even with a pillow under me) but I hope if I fight through it for a couple weeks I'll get used to it. Any suggestions on the best ways to tighten up my sagging skin around my waist? (I REALLY don't want to have plastic surgery when I'm done losing). Also, one other question: what are the best exercises to build big shoulders (traps)? I've been doing shrugs and lateral raises with dumbells, but haven't been satisfied with the results. Chris S.

Thanks Stayce and Mike!! I've hit my 6 month anniversary and things have REALLY slowed down. I get the arobic work out in every day, but I thought that maybe this would help me get into the weight training and would help the weight to keep coming off. Thanks both of you for your imput....I think I'll go for it. I'm soooo excited! Tami~ 268/180/120

Me too!! Just finished packing. Hopefully I'll catch you Sunday night. I plan to hunt down a decent gym as well so will let you know about that too in case you want to join me. I know my brother has a membership somewhere. I'm sure we can get some day passes if you want to workout early Monday morning. My mother still has not gotten any show tickets for Sunday night but I guess they did make reservations for dinner. Either way I will give you a call. Sounds like it should be beautiful weather this weekend too.