Thousands of crunches, hundreds of bicep curls and a million lunges will never equal a toned body -- on their own.

Target toning works in combination with healthy eating and a regular exercise regimen. Once you have established your healthy habits, target toning is a great way to maintain the pounds lost, define muscle and possibly get you over a plateau.

By using the following DVDs in conjunction with a form of cardio exercise such as walking, interval training or aerobics, and by continuing to follow a proper diet, you will see the results you want.

Squeeze: Lower Body

Challenge

Trainer: Tracy Effinger

The skinny: The squeeze-it queen is back with a 30-minute lower body workout that may leave you walking a little funny. With the aid of dumbbells and a chair (both optional), these easy-to-follow exercises get deep into the hip, leg and thigh muscles. Beginners should take it easy and work up to the full workout because you may find yourself unable to get off the floor after this routine . . . OK, who am I kidding? That goes for advanced exercisers, too.

How to buy: www.squeezebytracy.com for $14.95

Total Body Lift

Trainer: Kathy Smith

The skinny: Smith has been around a long time and knows her stuff. This dance-inspired, 69-minute workout will elongate and lift your muscles. The DVD includes an upper body lift, leg, butt and tummy lifts, with a warm-up and cool-down. This all-in-one DVD is an easy way to fit toning into your daily routine.

How to buy: www.lionsgateshop.com for $11.98

Crunchless Abs series

Trainers: Tracy Mallet and Linda LaRue

The skinny: Six-pack without a crunch? Count me in! LaRue has created a series of workouts designed to work your entire core for better posture and back health. The exercises are a combination of standing and floor work, with side bends, planks, leg lifts, twists and tucks to work your abs solidly.

How to buy: www.

crunchlessabs.com; $9.99

Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs

Trainer: Jeanette Jenkins

The skinny: Jenkins, known as ``The Hollywood Trainer'' for having shaped the backsides and arms of hot celebrities, guarantees you a sexy body through a series of her favorite pilates, yoga and traditional sculpting exercises. With her upbeat attitude and you-go-girl style, this one is sure to be a favorite.

How to buy: www.thehollywoodtrainer.com; $19.95

Exhale: Core Fusion

Thighs & Glutes

Trainer: Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito

The skinny: This husband-and-wife duo know how to make it hurt so good. I could barely get back upstairs to take a shower after this one. The five 10-minute workouts firm and tighten deep down into every muscle -- even those you didn't know you had. Core fusion works your muscles, helps you gain strength and redefines your body from the inside out.

How to buy: www.acaciacatalog.com; $14.99

PowerFit

Trainer: Stephanie Huckabee

The skinny: Huckabee's a ``FIRM-certified master instructor'' who knows her stuff. This 90-plus minute DVD series works the core, legs, shoulders, chest, triceps, butt, back, biceps and thighs. Exercise routines use a 4-foot-long resistance band to add intensity while challenging your body in diverse ways. With a cardio workout included, this is a great way to plan the week by mixing and matching with cardio exercise, working a different body part each day.

How to buy: www.collagevideo.com; $24.95