10 Quick Ways to Go from Fat to Firm

Target That Trouble Spot

Attack your problem areas with these tricks:

7. Beat cellulite with a roller. Some experts swear by rolling out -- using a foam roller that looks like a very wide pool noodle. The premise: When connective tissue becomes dehydrated, especially in the layers closest to the skin, the fibers weaken and separate, so the underlying fat pokes through. "Rolling rehydrates and firms up the connective tissue by moving fluids," says Sue Hitzmann, an exercise physiologist and manual therapist in New York City. "It won't make you thinner, but if you have lumpy thighs, it helps." Buy a roller for $30 at meltmethod.com.

8. Bust your gut on a ball. "Exercising on a stability ball forces you to engage all of your abdominal and lower-back muscles," explains Sue Fleming, fitness expert and author of Fashionably Buff. One of our fave moves: plank pose on the ball. Begin in a plank position -- palms on floor directly below shoulders, back straight, abs engaged, body parallel with floor, legs extended with feet on ball. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, keeping abs tight; relax.