Well garsh thanks Shaell....My routine aye...well this is it in a nutshell and if it sparks more questions bring it on. Ironically, I've been thinking of putting together a real, down home, doable but powerful workout for bellydancers. Interested? For the most part I do 2 days of full cardio and strength training in the gym using good old fashioned style working out with medicine balls, kettle bells, ladders, weights (hang clean etc), dynamic stretching, push ups, sit ups, lunges with weights, squats, pulling tires filled with weights behind me down a 40 yard track the list is endless...change it up every time. On the other days I do at least 20-60 minutes of cardio (running 2 miles, jumping rope-hardcore, power walking...anything to get my muscles warmed up and heart rate up) and 6 different kinds of back and stomach strengthening (core) exercises. A lot of this stuff is also what I do in my workshops, classes and instructional dvd. It took me some time to get to this level and I started out slow but worked my way up to it. Also keep in mind that my physical starting point is that of someone with severe nerve damage and muscle weakness from being paralyzed form the neck down for two and a half months as a teenager after surviving Encephalitis, Meningitis and Guliian Barre Syndrome. My motto: Always measure yourself against your own starting point. My diet...ah yes...well, I eat 6 meals a day to keep up my metabolism and energy levels. Always lots of protein but not to cut out anything else, there's carbs and vegis and fruit and...... Not a lot of sugars if I can help it. Is that a good start? I just try to be realistic about my reasons for working out and keeping good eating habits: health and strength. How's that for a start Shaell?

what was that you used to say again?...
eat french fries to make your shimmies look good..... something like that
;P