Many times when a woman seems out of proportion, with a heavier bottom half, it is because she lacks upper body development.

I have found, in my weight training business, a shocking lack of upper body development in women. In general it is, across the board, and not dependent on age.

Many women cannot perform one push up and most cannot perform even one pull up! Women need upper body strength to function effectively in everyday life. You need to carry things, pick up your kids, perform your job and be self reliant.

If you develop your upper body, not only will you have a more pleasing appearance but most important of all, you will be more capable of meeting the demands of work and family.

All you need to get started is a set of dumbbells. Start with a size that feels heavy but that you are able to push up from your shoulders to overhead, usually 8-10 lb. to start.

If you are working out at a gym they will have various sizes. If you are working out at home you can buy heavier sets as you make progress.

If you have none of these options you can buy an exercise band and do pull downs by placing a band over a door or other secure object. Grasp the ends of the band while seated or kneeling beneath it with arms extended. Pull with both arms until hands are lowered to shoulders. Slowly extend arms back up to starting position.

Tip: If your children have a swing set you can use the cross brace to do seated pull ups!

Do not be afraid to increase weight as needed to continue to build strength. Keep working on push ups and pull ups. Sometimes it can take a year or more to develop a full push up or pull up in de-conditioned women but both exercises are crucial to achieving the shapely silhouette you desire.