Fitness and You - Excuse's No More

With: 
Wanitha Ashok
Show: 
Fitness and You


by Wanitha Ashok

 

As individuals, we all have different metabolisms, schedules and lives. Time is something that one cannot make to squeeze in regular workouts. No matter how busy you are you can use the following tips to add additional minutes to your activity, as any exercise is better than no exercise. 
 Here are some exercises that you can do with any little time you have.

 

Simple Cardio exercises that you can do at home.

Two minutes, Five minutes, ten minutes anything goes.

 

  • Jog in front of the television as you watch your favorite program
  • Jump rope
  • Perform single leg jumps by standing with your feet shoulder-width, balance on left leg and hop forward, then back to start. Repeat on other leg
  • March on spot
  • Stair climb, you can burn more calories by varying intensity.
  • Instead of using the remote control, get up and change the channel also sit on the edge of the sofa, keep your back straight, tummy tucked in, buttocks squeezed then stand up and sit down five times before going to the TV to change the channel.

 

 Strength training exercises

Lower body exercise

Each exercise takes only one minute and some of them can be done even when you are on the phone.

 

 

1.Plie- Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, arms at sides, toes turned out.

Tuck tailbone under and contract glutes.

Lower your body into a squat with toes turning outwards and simultaneously raise arms to shoulder height in front of body palms down remember not allow your knees to exceed past your toes, Hold for 2 seconds and then return to starting position.

After 20 reps, hold the squat and for 20 seconds.

2.Two-Part Squat- Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart, toes turned out. Squat down keeping your thighs parallel to floor. Hold for 3 counts. Next bend knees to lower 4 more inches. Hold for 3 counts. Come up to the point where your thighs are parallel and hold for 3 counts. Repeat.

3. Leg Lift- Lie face up with knees bent and feet hip-width apart. Extend right leg 4 inches off floor. Lift hips 6 inches and then lower to 1/2 inch above floor. Repeat 20 times; switch legs.

4. Standing Side Kick- Place feet hip-width apart and hands on hips, slowly extend right leg to the side at hip height in 3 full counts. Be sure to keep inner thigh parallel to the floor. Hold for 1 count, then take 3 counts to lower to floor. Do 15 times, then switch sides.

5. Squats- when you're loading/unloading the washing machine perform squats. Keep your legs slightly apart and your back straight. Bend your knees and lower yourself down into a sitting position but keep your back straight and squeeze in your tummy muscles. Make sure you don't go too low and then return slowly back to the starting position

 

Upper body workout

Each exercise takes about two minutes

 

  1. Crunch Ball Toss- Lie on back holding a ball with both hands at chest level, knees bent. Crunch up and toss the ball a few inches above you; freeze in that position until the ball falls back into your hands. Slowly return to start and repeat 15 times.
  2. Upper body blast- Stand tall, hold a 5-pound dumbbell or a water bottle in your right hand, bend knees at 90 degrees and lower weight toward left foot. With an explosive lift, stand and swing the weight up to your right shoulder and extend the arm overhead; return weight to shoulder. Repeat 10 times on each side.
  3. Abs bike- Lie on back with knees bent, feet on floor. Place hands lightly behind head. Raise upper body and extend legs about 12 inches off floor. Bring left elbow and right knee toward each other. Continue alternating sides, 15 repetitions.
  4. Push-Up with Leg Lift- Start in the up phase of a push-up. Keeping hips square to floor, lift left leg 10 inches. Bend elbows to lower chest toward floor hold for 2 counts. Return to start and lower left leg. Do 10 times, switch sides.

 

              Cardio and strengthening exercises for people on the go

 

  • Instead of circling around looking for parking, park away from your destination to add to your daily steps
  • If you work in a building, walk around it several times during your lunch break
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator .Stair climb as many times as you can during short breaks.
  • If you need to talk to your collogues walk up to their desk instead of emailing or using an intercom.
  • Brainstorm project ideas with a co-worker while taking a walk.
  • Walk while waiting at the airport or any such places

 

  • If you're waiting in line at a café or bank, standing still is a good way to get into shape because you can exercise your back and abdominal muscles and improve your posture. Lift your chest, push your shoulders back and down, pull in your abdomen and clench your buttocks. Hold for eight seconds then release but repeat the action about 15 times.

 

  • While sitting on your desk or traveling sit tall and hold in your tummy muscles and squeeze your butt for 10-seconds then release. Try to repeat this as often as you can during your journey as maintaining a correct posture requires engaging more muscles, which means you, burn more calories.

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Once you have laid this foundation, you can slowly begin to modify and add regular exercises to stay fit and healthy. Take care of your body, as this is the only place you have to live in.

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