Hip to be fit

For a lot of women, hips are a bit of a sore spot. Particularly after we reach a certain age, or after having children, our hips can become pack rats of sorts -- holding on to little stores of fat we really don't need. Alive Magazine has a great routine to work the outer hip muscles (hip abductors). Toning your outer hips will help you look awesome in your jeans, but that's not all! Keeping these muscles strong helps maintain balance and reduces your risk of some injuries.

• Clamshells with leg lift. Lie on your side against a wall with your knees bent so they're at a right angle to the rest of your body. Tighten your tummy and, without shifting your pelvis, raise your top leg. After 20 repetitions on each side, you can repeat the same exercise with your legs straightened.
• X walks with tubing. Step on a length of exercise tubing with handles (or a resistance band) with both feet and criss-cross the handles (holding one handle in each hand). Stand tall, with tummy muscles tightened, then take 15 to 20 steps to one side. Repeat in the other direction.

Check out AOL Health for an all-over leg workout.