I thought I was fit enough for a swimsuit until my four year old said, "Mama, your booty is like a maraca that doesn't make any noise..."  (Translation:  my ass jiggles when I walk.)

So I turned to a trusted friend who has recently made a miraculous transformation in only a month and a half.  Her recommendation:  Sexy in 6, a new book by international fitness guru Tracey Mallet.  You can order it on Amazon for about $17, along with her other 6-minute Quick Blast Method DVD's for about $13, or go to her website http://www.traceymallett.com/.

You'll need a fit ball, some free weights and some good music to get started.  You can follow her exercises in the book, or use the DVDs, which is what I like best. 

Sexy in 6 breaks the exercises down into 6 minute blasts-- 6 minutes for upper body, 6 minutes for lower body and 6 minutes for abs, for a total of 18 minutes per day.  Who can't fit 18 minutes of "me time" into their day? You don't even have to do it all at once.  You can do some before work, some at lunch and the rest when you get back home.  If you add three 30-minute cardio sessions per week and follow the food plan, you're in the game.

At first I thought the exercises would be for light-weights.  I run an average of 5 miles, three times a week, so I kind of laughed at the thought of 6 minute blasts.  Ha!  They kicked my jiggly ass...  I was super sore at first, and seriously, within two weeks I noticed a flatter stomach and trimmer waist.

The food plan is simple, once you understand portion sizes.  On the plan you eat six small meals a day, and you are allowed 7 portions of protein, 3 dairy, 4 fruit, 5 grain, 3 fat, and as many veggies as you want per day.  It is actually so much food, you'll end up saying, "Oh, I have to eat again?"  And if you're like me and really look forward to a glass of wine in the evening, you can... just make sure it's only one!

Tracey Mallett writes as if she's one of your closest friends.  Her tone is encouraging and frank.  She is all about empowering women to feel their best.  Skip ahead to chapter 9 where she discusses SEX.  Let me just say, there is no greater aphrodisiac than self-confidence.  When a woman feels good about her body, she's bound to feel sexier, which makes life so much more fun.  Tracey outlines some great SEXERCISES to do alone or with a partner for double the pleasure.  Some of the benefits of Tracey's Sexy in 6 Sexercises are more intense orgasms, stronger leg grip and a refreshed repertoire of moves to try on your mate!  Who knew exercise could be so much fun?   

So to all you Yummy Mommies out there, don't fret that summer is coming.  Get Tracey Mallett's Sexy in 6, buy your fit ball and some free weights and get started.  Visit http://www.traceymallett.com/ for inspiration, support, recipes and community.  Get your bikini body in 6 weeks and have a fun, safe summer.