Do you have some suggestions for cooling down after the leg exercises in your Strong Women Stay Young. I seem to be uncomfortably stiff the day after. I'm fine with the arm ones by doing them slowly without weights and going up and down the stairs a couple of times, but can't seem to cope with the legs.

In Strong Women Stay Slim and Strong Women, Strong Bones, I outline several lower body stretches to perform after you have strength trained. While it is difficult to describe them without illustrations, I will try to do so here.

• The first one is the quadriceps stretch. Stand behind a chair or counter using your left hand for support. Slowly bend your right knee and bring your right lower leg up towards your buttocks - use your right hand to help bring the leg up - and keep your right thigh in line with the left. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds. Make sure that your left knee of the supporting leg remains soft while you are holding the stretch. Rest the right leg and now repeat with the left leg.
• The next one is the hamstring stretch. Stand about 2 feet from a counter or desk. Slowly bend at the hips (keeping your back straight) and rest your arms on the counter. Your body should form an "L" with legs and back straight at a 90 degree angle to each other. You should feel the stretch in your hamstrings. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds then rest. As your hamstrings get more flexible, place your hands on a lower surface where you will get more of a stretch - but remember to keep your back straight and don't lock your knees.