Towards the end of every year, I catch myself lamenting how much my health and fitness routines have slipped in the run-up to the holiday season. Oh well, I’ll just harness that New Year’s resolution energy in January, I think to myself.
This year, I’ve decided, will be different. (And I really do mean it this time!) Yes, I know that most new year’s resolutions epically fail. So I started wondering: What would happen if I “test drove” some resolutions right away? Rather than waiting for an artificial fresh start dictated by the calendar, I could play around with behavioral changes as soon as I felt called to. And just maybe, trying to implement improvements before January 1 could lead to greater consistency once the New Year actually rolls around. Out with expectations of immediate perfection; in with an attitude of curiosity and experimentation!
In particular, there are a couple of healthy habits I’ve been wanting to incorporate into my life:
1.
Taking a walk outdoors with my significant other every morning
2.
Committing to lights out by 10:15 p.m. every weeknight
To design a successful plan—and find out if my idea of a test drive even made scientific sense—I enlisted the help of three psychology experts. All of them agreed that simply relying on January’s “fresh start” feeling can lead to quickly abandoning our best-laid plans. Unfortunately, we don’t magically become different people when the calendar changes. Since research shows that most resolutions tend to falter around week two of January, clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, advised me to run my experiment for three weeks at the least. But the longer, the better if I wanted it to stick. “There is substantial research showing that it takes, on average, more than two months for a behavior to become automatic,” she told me.
So… how did the experiment go? All told, my “pre-resolutions” gave me new insight on this whole tradition. Here’s what I learned.
It’s best to start slowly
Licensed clinical social worker and brain-based personal trainer Elyse D. Schunkewitz, LCSW, suggested that I kick off my experiment by observing my current behaviors, possibly via a journaling practice: “If you don’t have an understanding of how you’re engaging in habits at the moment, then how are we going to know what improvement looks like?”
Once I’m aware of my baseline, she says, I can set and track goals aimed at slow, incremental improvement. How many goals? “Engaging in one at a time is the best option to ensure you’re not draining yourself to the point that no habits get changed,” Schunkewitz says.
“Sometimes change can be uncomfortable and hard because it’s unfamiliar, not because it’s unhealthy.” —Jamila Jones, LCPC
My takeaway: Ideally, I would have experimented with one resolution and one resolution only. However! You could make the argument that my chosen resolutions form what psychologists call a “habit stack,” since both behaviors support each other. When I go to bed on time, I usually get enough sleep that taking a walk the next morning feels like a treat, not a chore. Conversely, morning sunshine plus physical activity help put me on track to wind down when bedtime rolls around. Win-win.
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That said, the next time I make a resolution, I’ll be following Schunkewitz’s advice of implementing one at a time, ideally by stacking any new habit on top of a longer-established one in order to keep the changes manageable.
Your “why” is what keeps you going
Ever impulsively made a New Year’s resolution based on external expectations or societal norms? Same. Jamila Jones, LCPC, founder of Reclaiming Minds Therapy, encouraged me to dig (much) deeper: “Are these things actually in alignment with the life that you want for yourself? With the version of yourself that you want to show up as?”
By taking a few weeks at the end of the year to try out my ideas while reflecting on who I really am and what I really want, I (hopefully) got closer to setting goals grounded in what Jones calls “inspired action”—that is, behavior aligned not only with the vision I see for my ideal future self, but also with my current environment and circumstances.
We tend to make time for what’s truly important to us. By contrast, resolutions based on what we think we should do are likely to fail—fast. “When you feel an internal connection to your resolution, and it feels rooted in what you know to be true about yourself, then you typically will be able to connect to it for a longer period of time,” Jones says.
My takeaway: Strolling around the neighborhood every morning isn’t really about the exercise. It’s about undistracted quality time with my S.O. and enjoying some gentle movement outdoors to start my day on a positive note. Put another way, this resolution is a daily vote for two major priorities in my life: my romantic relationship and my mental health. Even when I was tempted to hit snooze instead, those motivations kept me going. If I were a betting woman, I’d say this is one habit I’ll be able to stick with come 2024.
Choose curiosity, not criticism
Dr. Manly points out that many of us delegate New Year’s resolutions to our inner critic. “That critical mind is often tied to perfectionism inherited from society or our parents,” she says. The problem, of course, is that perfectionism carries the weight of an all-or-nothing paradigm: “If I don’t fulfill my resolutions flawlessly, I will have failed utterly.” That internal monologue likely sounds familiar to those of us who have guiltily discarded ambitious resolutions before January is over.
To avoid this pitfall, Dr. Manly suggests assigning any resolutions to an internal compassionate researcher: “Learn to step back and nonjudgmentally observe what’s going on. What’s preventing you from making it to that yoga class? What happens right before you eat all the chocolate chip cookies?” When—not if—a resolution doesn’t get checked off one day, Dr. Manly says, I shouldn’t consider that a “failure.” Rather, I should simply reflect on why it didn’t happen—and stay open to revising the original resolution.
My takeaway: Two weeks into this experiment, I was forced to perfection-proof my resolutions when I was cast in a play that rehearses on weeknights until 9:30 p.m.. My revised definition of success now looks like turning the lights off between 10:15 and 11 p.m., waking up 30 minutes later than before, and taking a shortened walk the next morning.
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This wasn’t my original plan, but it allowed me to keep at it in a way that worked given my new circumstances. Otherwise, I’d be leaving myself vulnerable to what psychologists call the “what-the-hell” effect, when a minor slip-up encourages giving up entirely.
Play the long game
At the three-week mark, Jones suggested I reflect on my progress so far with a generous mindset. “Give space and credence to what changes you have made,” she told me. “Sometimes change can be uncomfortable and hard because it’s unfamiliar, not because it’s unhealthy.” In my case, writing this piece was an opportunity to reflect on the challenging moments in my experiment and to let those hiccups inform my strategy going forward. For instance, even though a 10:15 p.m. bedtime wasn’t always feasible, I realized I can still work to avoid the revenge bedtime procrastination that pushes it even later.
Schunkewitz’s final advice to me: Keep going, with love. “Gentle self-compassion is about when you need to give yourself a break and show yourself some love and healing,” she explained. “Fierce self-compassion is about when you push yourself to do something even if you don’t want to, because it’s good for you.”
My takeaway: Some mornings, breaking my walking streak by sleeping in will be in my best interest. Other days, pushing myself to get up and get out will be the right choice. Now that I know what these resolutions actually feel like in practice, I feel more confident that I’ll know the difference when either situation arises down the line.
This experiment left me with a new perspective on New Year’s resolutions. Sure, it’s still tempting to buy into the clean-slate mindset offered by a brand-new year. But if the intention is important to me, what am I waiting for? Here’s to the (realistic, gradual, and flexible) resolutions that start today.
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When it comes to building strong, sculpted glutes, most of us focus on big moves like squats and deadlifts. But if you want to truly level up your lower-body strength (and get that lifted, rounded shape), it’s time to give your upper glutes some serious attention.
exercise physiologist and part-time teaching faculty at the University of Georgia
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“This area is often ignored,” says Holly Roser, CPT, a certified personal trainer and owner of Holly Roser Fitness. And that really is a shame. The upper glutes—specifically, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus—are the secret weapons behind hip stability, posture, and lower-back support.
Strengthening them doesn’t just help with aesthetics; it also boosts athletic performance, prevents injury, and improves overall mobility. Whether you’re an avid lifter, a runner, or just looking to move pain-free, targeting this area can make all the difference. (NOt to mention that ignoring it could lead to a glute imbalance.)
So how do you engage these often-overlooked muscles? It’s all about strategic activation and mind-muscle connection. We asked top trainers for the most effective upper-glute exercises that actually work, from banded hip abductions to single-leg deadlifts. Ready to fire up those glutes and feel the difference?
Keep reading for a science-backed upper butt workout that will leave you stronger, more balanced, and yes—perkier.
First things first: A refresher on upper glute anatomy
When exploring any glute-focused exercises and charting out glute goals, it helps to understand our glute anatomy.
Your glutes are comprised of the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, the gluteus minimus, and the piriformis, according to ACE certified health coach and personal trainer Araceli De Leon, MS.
Where your gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the glute muscles (meaning that it’s the outermost layer), your gluteus minimus is the deepest glute muscle, located underneath the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, De Leon says.
Meanwhile, the gluteus medius is what we know to be the upper glutes.
“The gluteus medius is responsible for abduction or lateral raise and rotation of the hip joint,” De Leon says. “However, the gluteus maximus is so large relative to the others that it is also part of the upper glutes.”
From an appearance perspective, certified personal trainer Amy Schemper, CPT adds that the gluteus medius is “responsible for the ‘glute shelf’ look” that many desire.
What are the benefits of upper glute exercises?
When you do upper glute exercises, whether they’re standing or seated, Roser says you’ll experience numerous benefits—not just in the way you feel, but also when it comes to your athletic abilities.
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“You’ll reduce lower back pain, knee pain, and the risk of ankle sprains, as this important muscle is a strong stabilizer,” she says. “You’ll also notice you’ll have a faster running speed and be able to increase the resistance used in your workouts.”
The reason? Stronger upper glutes lead to more overall bodily stability.
“Besides keeping our hips level and stable, our upper glutes have a very important job in our overall biomechanics, stability, and balance,” says Nashville-based certified personal trainer Bianca Vesco, CPT. “When we walk and or run, our upper glutes aid in stabilizing our pelvis. They also play a critical role in maintaining an efficient and safe lower body.”
There’s also another benefit: You’ll notice a more lifted and pronounced booty, Roser says. So if you’ve ever wondered why your bum is flat at the top, it’s because you need to incorporate upper glute exercises into your routine.
The ideal reps and sets to build your upper glutes
Before diving in, take a moment to consider your upper glute goals. Do you want to strengthen, stabilize, or maintain or build a shelf? You’ll want to tailor your routine to fit your fitness dreams, according to Vesco.
“Are you trying to build muscle mass and strength by lifting heavy weights?” she asks. “Are you correcting an imbalance or rehabbing an injury with a resistance band?” In either scenario, you can expect upper glute benefits. The way you go about them just differs.
Here’s what we mean: The number of reps and sets you perform is dependent on your glute goals, as is the amount of time you take to rest between each.
“If you are aiming for muscle hypertrophy and added mass, aim for heavier weights for lower rep ranges—four to eight repetitions—for three to five sets during your larger compound movements such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and hip thrusts,” Schemper says. “If muscular endurance is your goal, find a weight you can maintain for 12 to 20 repetitions for three to four sets for larger movements and an elastic mini band around knees or ankles for 15 to 20 repetitions on smaller movements.”
Meanwhile, if you’re exploring upper glute exercises to correct a muscle imbalance or rehab an injury, Schemper says to start slowly with low weights, resistance, and reps, and gradually increase as you feel stronger.
No matter which approach you take, you want to feel challenged.
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“At the end of the day, you want to be progressively overloading the glute muscles to see change,” Schemper says. “If something feels too easy, it’s probably time to increase your weights, resistance, reps, or sets—or all of the above. If you’re fatiguing quickly or not able to finish sets or reps, it’s time to take it down a bit.”
“Besides keeping our hips level and stable, our upper glutes have a very important job in our overall biomechanics, stability, and balance. When we walk and or run, our upper glutes aid in stabilizing our pelvis. They also play a critical role in maintaining an efficient and safe lower body.” —Bianca Vesco, CPT
The best upper glute exercises to add to your routine
So, how do you work the top of your glutes? According to Schemper, the key to building upper glutes is to focus on hip abduction (moving away from the center of the body).
“However, remember no muscle works in isolation, so while smaller isolated movements help target the upper glutes, it’s important to work the lower body with larger compound moves like squats, deadlifts, and lunges,” she reminds us.
Although you can work your glutes by walking, running, and other everyday functional movements, there are some exercises that can really boost booty gains. Here are nine upper glute exercises that are sure to make your buns burn.
1. Clam shell
1.
Lie on your left side with your knees bent at 90 degrees, stacked on top of each other.
2.
Lean your head on your left arm to support your neck and place your right hand in front of you for support.
3.
Keep your feet together and lift your top knee as high as possible without rotating your pelvis.
4.
Hold for a moment, then lower your knee back to the starting position.
5.
4. Do 2 sets of 25 reps, then switch sides.
2. Curtsy lunge
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms clasped in front of your chest.
2.
Step back with your right leg, crossing it behind your left leg in a curtsy position.
3.
Bend both knees until your front leg is parallel to the floor (or as close to parallel as you can comfortably go).
4.
Keep your hips and shoulders straight ahead throughout the motion with your torso upright.
5.
Push through your left leg to return to standing.
6.
Repeat for 3 sets of 15 reps on each side.
3. Sumo squat
1.
Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Turn your toes out 45 degrees and clasp your hands in front of your chest.
2.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor. Let your knees track diagonally out toward the direction of your toes as you lower.
3.
Lower down until your thighs are parallel with the floor (or as far as you can comfortably go).
4.
Pause for a moment, then return back to standing.
5.
Do 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps.
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4. Lateral lunge
Stand with your feet at hip-width distance, toes facing forward. Clasp your hands in front of your chest.
Shift your weight to the right and step to your right with your right foot.
With a flat back, bend your right knee and shift your hips back, keeping your left leg straight.
Keep your toes pointed forward on both feet.
Press into your right heel to return to standing.
Do 12 to 15 reps, then repeat on the right side—or go back and forth between sides.
5. Banded lateral walk
1.
Place a mini band or looped resistance band around your thighs at a tension that’s comfortably challenging.
2.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands clasped in front of your chest.
3.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor into a squat position as if you were sitting in a chair.
4.
Step your right foot to the side in line with your other foot. Step together and repeat.
5.
Do 3 sets of 15 reps in each direction.
6. Dumbbell front squat
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart (or a little wider) with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Hold a dumbbell in each hand (palms facing in toward your body) with your arms at your sides.
2.
Bend your elbows to lift the dumbbells up high on your shoulders in a racked position with your elbows slightly in front of your shoulders.
3.
Bend your knees as you push your hips back to lower toward the floor into a squat position as if you were sitting in a chair.
4.
Lower down until your thighs are parallel with the floor (or as far as you can comfortably go).
5.
Pause for a moment, then return back to standing.
6.
Do 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps.
7. Sumo deadlift
1.
Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders with your shoulders, back, and core engaged. Turn your toes out 45 degrees.
2.
Place a dumbbell on the floor vertically between your legs.
3.
With a flat back and braced core, hinge at your hips and bend your knees to grasp the head of the dumbbell.
4.
Drive your feet into the ground and straighten your legs to slowly come up to standing, activating your glutes in the process. Keep your arms straight the entire time.
5.
Slowly lower yourself back down.
6.
Do 3 sets of 15 reps.
8. Single-leg Romanian deadlift
1.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Tuck your right elbow into your right side as if you were running. Extend your left arm by your side.
2.
Drive your left knee up to hip height so your left thigh is parallel to the floor. You should be balancing on your right leg.
3.
Engage your core and simultaneously lean forward, extending your left leg behind you. Press your right foot into the floor while doing so, and keep your right leg slightly bent.
4.
At the same time, lower your right arm down by your side and tuck your left elbow into your left side as if you were running.
5.
Continue lowering until your torso is parallel to the floor or you feel a pull in your right hamstrings (whichever comes first).
6.
Press into your right foot, squeeze your glutes and reverse the movement to return back to the standing start position.
7.
Do 10-12 reps on one leg before switching sides.
9. Side hip abduction
1.
Lie on your left side with your legs extended and your feet stacked on top of each other.
2.
Lean your head on your left arm to support your neck and place your right hand in front of you for support.
3.
Keeping your legs straight and squeezing your glutes, lift your top leg to around shoulder height without rotating your hips.
4.
Pause, then slowly lower your top leg back down to starting position.
5.
Do 2 sets of 25 reps on each leg.
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TIP
If you’re having a hard time keeping your legs from coming forward, you can lean against a wall and have your top leg slide to correct any slanting of your body that might occur.
10. Banded standing hip abduction
1.
Stand with a resistance band around your ankles, feet hip-width apart, knees straight but not locked.
2.
Keeping your legs straight and squeezing your glutes, shift weight to one leg and lift the other leg out to the side without rotating your hips.
3.
Pause, then slowly lower back down to starting position.
4.
Do 12-15 reps per leg.
11. Fire hydrants
1.
Start on all fours with your hands and knees on the floor. Align your elbows and shoulders over your wrists and your hips over your knees
2.
Lift one knee out to the side, keeping it bent at 90 degrees.
3.
Avoid rotating your hips—keep the movement controlled.
4.
Lower back down and repeat.
5.
Do 2 sets of 20 reps on each leg.
12. Bulgarian split squat
1.
Stand a few feet in front of a bench, box or chair, facing away from it. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. (Increase the challenge by placing a barbell or dumbbell on your hips.)
2.
Reach your left foot back and place the top of your left foot flat on the surface. You may need to hop your right foot forward so you can do a proper lunge.
3.
Lean your torso forward slightly and bend your front knee to sink your hips toward the floor as low as you can comfortably go.
4.
Your front-leg shin should be vertical or close to it, while your back knee should point down toward the floor. If either leg is out of place, move your front foot forward or backward until you’ve found the ideal positioning.
5.
Push through your front foot to return to standing.
6.
Repeat for 10-12 reps, then switch sides and repeat.
13. Step-up
1.
You’ll need a bench or box to complete this exercise.
2.
Stand in front of your bench and place your left foot on the bench, so that your left knee is bent round 90 degrees.
3.
Keeping your torso upright, press your weight into your left foot and push through your quads and glutes to straighten your left leg and stand on top of the bench.
4.
Reverse the move, lowering your right foot to the floor with control.
5.
Do 10-15 reps, then switch sides and repeat.
14. Single-leg glutes bridge
1.
Lie on your back with your arms by your sides, knees bent and feet flat on the floor hip-width apart. Your feet should be close enough to your hips that if you reach one hand at a time toward each heel, you could just touch it with your fingers.
2.
Extend your right leg straight on the floor.
3.
Tuck your tailbone slightly. Squeeze your glutes and core, then press your left heel into the floor to drive your hips up toward the ceiling until you form a diagonal line from knees to hips to chest.
4.
Squeeze your glutes at the top of the exercise and pause for a moment. Then slowly return your hips to the floor.
5.
Do 10-12 then switch legs and repeat.
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15. Hip thrust
1.
Sit on the floor with your mid back against the edge of a bench, box, couch, or wide chair. Clasp your hands in front of your chest. (Increase the challenge by placing a barbell or dumbbell on your hips.)
2.
Place your feet on the floor about hip-width apart. Your feet can be slightly turned out, depending on what feels most comfortable for you.
3.
Squeeze your glutes and push through your heels to raise your hips up toward the ceiling. Keep your back flat and head pointed toward the wall in front of you.
4.
Lock your hips out at the top of the movement by fully extending your hips and squeezing your glutes. Your shins should be vertical, knees neutral or slightly externally rotated and legs forming 90-degree angles.
5.
Pause, then slowly lower your hips to the floor.
6.
Do 2 sets of 12-15 reps.
16. Single-leg hip thrust
1.
Sit on the floor with your mid back against the edge of a bench, box, couch, or wide chair. Clasp your hands in front of your chest.
2.
Lift your right leg off the ground, and push through the heel of your left foot while you push your hips up to the ceiling by squeezing your glutes.
3.
Pause, then slowly your hips back towards the floor.
4.
Do 2 sets of 25 reps per side.
What not to do: Habits that could weaken your glutes
If you regularly do many of these exercises but don’t seem to be noticing any change in the look or feel of your upper glutes, you may be engaging in other behaviors that’s voiding out your hard work.
“You may not be lifting heavy enough, eating enough for your energy expenditure, or you may need more variety in your glute workouts,” Schemper says. “The key to engaging your glute muscles for growth and strength is to make sure you’re actually utilizing the right muscles. In traditional movements like squats or lunges, our quadriceps muscles are our primary movers and tend to do most of the work. To turn on the glute muscles, be sure to get low into the movement and push through the heels as you contract.”
It’s important to also be mindful of your pelvis during all upper glute exercises, Schemper says.
“Many of us experience an anterior pelvic tilt (where our pelvis is tilted forward) which can affect our ability to activate our glute muscles during exercise,” she reveals. “Banded glute bridges and deep core exercises can help correct anterior pelvic tilt, as evidenced by this study1. With a stronger core and more neutral pelvic alignment, our glutes can better engage in lower-body movements.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I give my upper butt a natural curve?
Be consistent—and patient. “If you’re looking to build a stronger, more muscular butt, it’s going to take some time,” Vesco says. “You have to lift heavy with a plan, you have to eat more to fuel those lifts, you have to stay consistent in the gym, and you have to show yourself grace. Rome wasn’t built overnight and neither is a bigger booty!”
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How do I know if my upper glute workout is working?
Remember: Upper glute gains take time. You may feel like your hard work isn’t accounting for much, but Vesco reminds us that there are studies that suggest optimal glute growth can take between 18 months and two years to really witness.
“The work is never over and consistency always gives you the possibility to expedite that process,” she says. “However, training for life is a lifelong journey and taking care of your glutes and overall leg strength is a surefire way to make sure you’re still strong and able-bodied at 80 years old. Strong glutes, strong legs, strong life.”
Can you work out your glutes two days in a row?
TL;DR: It depends on your skill level and overall fitness.
“There are many aspects to consider when discussing exercise recovery, including training or exercise volume and frequency, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, training periodization, rest days, and more,” Rachelle Reed, PhD, an exercise physiologist, explains. “Recovery is an important part of a training program and aims to restore the body to homeostasis [a balanced state] and occurs during the time outside of an exercise training session.”
With that in mind, if you’re new to resistance training—and especially if you’re performing large muscle, multi-joint exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, and hip thrusts—a 24- to 48-hour rest period is ideal.
“Basically, monitor your perceived soreness levels,” Dr. Reed says. “DOMS—delayed onset muscle soreness—can start and last anywhere from 24 to 72 hours or more depending on a variety of factors. So, your best bet is to start slow and monitor how you feel. After a few sessions, you will understand how your body is reacting.”
Once you become more experienced with upper glute workouts, it’s totally fine to train back-to-back, according to Dr. Reed—though, she still recommends switching it up for the most noticeable gains.
“The most effective programs will mix different movement patterns, loading, and other techniques to progress efficiently and safely,” she says. “The main point to note while going for booty gain will be you are aiming for hypertrophy [increasing muscle size/volume] and adequate, but appropriate for your fitness level, loading will be highly important.”
How many times a week should I work out to grow a butt?
There’s no one set answer.
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“How often you should perform these exercises depends on how heavy you’re lifting for them,” Vesco says. “Heavy lifts for muscle growth and strength should only be done one to two times per week.”
Can you change the shape of your glutes through exercise?
Yes, but it will take time.
“Anyone can change the shape of their butt, but it depends on how drastic you want that change to be,” Vesco says. “We all have our own goals and standards but if your goal is to grow a bigger booty, you need to focus on the entire backside, not just the upper glutes. Building strength in the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus will get you there much faster.”
Additionally, it’s important not to overwork your glutes in hopes of faster results.
“You definitely need to stimulate the muscles to help them grow, but training them too much can be counterproductive if you don’t give them time to rest, repair, and rebuild,” Vesco says.
What are the most useless exercises for building your glutes?
“Bicep curls!” Vesco jokes. “‘Building’ can mean a lot of things for a lot of people but if you want to actually increase the size of your backside, you have to lift heavy weights consistently.”
Why are my upper glutes not growing?
As hard as you may be working to grow your booty, you may simply be focusing on the wrong areas and glute exercises.
“If you aren’t seeing glute growth, you may be training mostly in the sagittal plane—think squats and lunges—train in the horizontal plane with banded side steps and side lunges, as well as the transverse plane with curtsy lunges, for better glute gains,” Schemper says.
It’s also possible to plateau while working out. In fact, it’s common. Your body can adapt to movements, weights, and workouts, according to De Leon. So if you’re doing all of these exercises but aren’t reaping any new rewards, she says it’s time to mix it up with more weight, reps, or new exercises altogether.
“Another example, if you’re using bands, try using cable machines; or if you’re using machines, try free weights such as barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells,” she says.
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