By Julie Barroukh, Founder, JulieBFit.com
Let's be honest.  Which woman who has ever birthed children doesn't secretly wish for a boob job?  I have to admit that I go back and forth.  I envy those women who don't have to wear anything underneath their tank tops at the gym - and those whose nipples stand erect ABOVE their belly buttons.  But I am just too chicken to ever do it.  I don't want scars. I don't plan on showing my breasts to any new men (unless they are hyper-intuitive, sensitive, fun, easygoing, witty, charming, intelligent, well-bred and filthy rich - and there are so many of THOSE out there!!!) So what's left?

About a month ago I was changing for a dinner party in my room and my friend Lori was with me.  When I took my shirt off she looked at me and said, "Wow...your boobs are a lot higher than they used to be!"  I was surprised.  I didn't have surgery, or apply any of that skin-colored masking tape from Victoria's Secret!   I started thinking about what it could be, and realized that it must have been my weight training.  Now, believe me, when I tell you that my boobs hang lower than a weeping willows branches on a rainy day.  I had 3 kids in 3.5 years and nursed all of them (progressively shorter amounts of time, but nonetheless!) On any given morning, I have to manually position my breasts inside my bra (be it sports, or regular) to ensure that my nipples actually line up in case, on the very, very off-chance they become erect and need to be symmetrical!   I realized that what Lori saw was the benefit of my bi- weekly chest workouts that target all areas of the pectoral muscles.

Julie B. is an LA-based fitness trainer and mom of three.

While no "non-surgical" methods can do anything to actual breast tissue (though cardiovascular exercise will lower the fatty tissue in the breast like everywhere else), weight training will tighten the muscles underneath and around the breasts causing a firmer, higher appearance. 

Here's what I call the "breast-or-ator"exercises!  Trust me, ladies...twice a week and you will surely see a difference. When you work the chest, there are two different types of motions that you need to do to engage all the pectoral muscles. The first motion is a chest press.  Presses activate the upper and/or lower pecs. Basic chest press exercises include: push-ups, barbell press, dumbbell presses and Smith machine presses. You can lay flat on the bench, press on an incline or even a decline. 

For added challenge, take your presses onto an exercise ball (which will also engage the abs, glutes and quads).  I am a big fan of "multi-tasking" exercises...those that engage a variety of muscles during an exercise.  I recommend doing all variations because you wind up working the muscles differently and that is one key to resistance training...finding NEW ways to challenge your muscles. 

The second motion that you need to do is called a "flye."   Simply put, think of a bird flying...wings flutter up (or open) and closed (down).   Chest flyes can be done on a flye machine (commonly known as a "pec deck") on a bench or ball with dumbbells or resistance bands.  They can also be done with cables, or, moving side-to-side with dumbbells (my favorites).  Flyes work all areas of the inner and outer pecs. 

And here's the added bonus in case firm chest muscles aren't enough.  When we work our chest, we are also engaging the triceps muscles under the arm, so that "arm flab" will get worked, too!  

Let's face it, I will never have the breasts of my pre-baby body again, my friends.  But I can promise you this.  It's not what you got, it's how you present it.  I look fabulous in a tank top, because I train my pectoral muscles at least twice a week, I own a fantastic sports bra (Champion model 1050) and regular bra...and I ACT like my breasts are still pert.  That's always the bottom line.  You are as "pert" as you feel!

Copyright JulieBFit Enterprises 2008

*The Well Mom encourages you to consult with your own personal physician before altering your exercise regimen.*


Learn more about Julie's inspiring transformation from frumpy mom of three to fitness trainer and fabulous role model on her website  www.juliebfit.com and browse her secrets to staying strong & healthy on The Well Mom. Julie is also the producer and host of the fabulous "Moms With Muscle" DVDs.