Weight Loss Cardio Kick with Violet Zaki

A powerful, athletic program that begins with aero/tone intervals and ends with pure cardio. The first section sculpts your body as it raises your heart rate; the second keeps your heart rate elevated to maximize fat-burning. You'll learn the exercises in the first segment — a mix of classic kickboxing and dumbbell weight training (e.g. squats, dead lifts, bicep curls). Then you'll use the moves you just learned in the faster paced, slightly more challenging, all-aerobic combos (e.g. kicks, punches, jacks and shuffle steps). Easy-to-follow cuing by a motivating kickbox pro.

Requires two sets of dumbbells (e.g. 3 lb. and 5 lb.).

Burn calories, increase your metabolism, and lose weight!

This program provides everything you need to lose weight – and have fun while you do it. High-energy kickboxing moves keep your heart rate in the fat-burning zone, while the interval format maximizes calorie burn, increases your metabolism, and gives you the results you want – fast.Define your arms, shoulders, and back using light handweights and a variety of punches. Kicks target the inner and outer thighs and lift and tighten the glutes. The moves engage the core, so you'll be working your abs, too. Pick one of the 20-minute programs to do both together for a full, calorie-blasting workout.

You don't have to be a black belt to perform the moves – we've broken them down in a tutorial segment to teach the proper technique. Plus, since healthy eating boosts weight loss, we've included tips and recipes fro Cooking Light, the magazine dedicated to helping you eat smart, be fit and live well. You can finally lose weight – starting today!

Violet Zaki, an international fitness expert and Karate black belt, teaches at Equinox in New York City. Her emphasis on correct form and defined fitness goals – as well as having fun along the way – have earned her an enormous following.