Around the house
If you resent decorating, cooking, cleaning and baking, think exercise and fitness instead.
Vacuum lunge
Vacuuming can build up a sweat on its own, but you can turn up the intensity with lunges. Step forward with your right leg as you push the vacuum forward and bend both knees until your front thigh is parallel to the ground. Push back with your right leg as you pull the vacuum backward. Switch sides as you go.
Laundry challenge
Add a splash of workout to your wash day. Fill the laundry basket with the dirty clothes and head down the stairs. At the base of the staircase do 20 step-ups on the bottom stair before heading into the laundry room. But before you fill the washing machine, hold the full basket out in front of you with your arms straight, shoulders back and neck relaxed. Hold this position for as long as you can – beginners strive for 30 seconds; those who are more fit aim for two minutes. Repeat for each load of laundry.
Dishwashing pushups
While you're waiting for the sink to fill with water, try some supported pushups to strengthen your chest. Place your hands on the edge of the kitchen sink. Keeping your back straight and tummy tight, step back far enough so your body is at about a 45-degree angle to the floor; bend your elbows, lowering yourself toward the sink. Hold for two seconds, then press yourself back up by straightening your arms. Do not lock your elbows. Aim for 25 pushups.
Dancing around the house
Dusting doesn't have to be monotonous – crank your favourite tunes and dance like it's 1999! Ten minutes of energetic dancing will increase your heart rate and burn more calories than 10 minutes of walking.
Use a little elbow grease
Forget plugging in your electric mixer; instead, grab a wooden spoon and mix your recipes by hand. Not only will you burn more calories, but you will also be strengthening your hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and core muscles.
Out shopping
Think of the shopping mall as your concrete playground.
Power shopping
Walk the entire mall once before beginning your shopping. When you've finished shopping, do another lap before returning to your car – which, of course, you parked at the back of the lot. Do not try this with excessively heavy bags, and always remember to keep your tummy tight and shoulders back and down.
Curls for the girls
While waiting in a holiday checkout line, use your parcels to perform a set of isometric bicep curls. With your tummy tight, shoulders back and down, and arms at your side, bend your elbows about 15 degrees and hold for 30 seconds. Lower the bags and repeat for the remainder of your wait. Don't forget to breathe.
Stair climbing
Ditch the elevator and escalator for the stairs. To get your heart really pumping, try running up the stairs or taking them two at a time.
Calf raises in line
Stuck in line again? Why not strengthen your calves and get the blood pumping. Calf raises will act as a mechanical pump to flush the blood out of the calves and around the body. They will also help strengthen and tone your calves, leaving you with sexy legs that look great in heels. Standing with feet together, lift yourself up on tiptoe, hold for two seconds and lower yourself back down to the floor; repeat 20 times.
Page 2 of 3 – Find easy ways to sneak in exercise during holiday office parties, and at the office on page 3
