Saturday, March 1, 2008

Hate working out? Get the ball rolling with...

Kick-start your heart
i) Jog: start on grass or gravel to take it easy on your legs.
ii) Climb: jog up the stairs of your office or apartment for 20 minutes at a stretch. Going down can be tough on knees and shins, so walk.
iii) Ride: use flat, even terrain to take it easy on your ankles. Go for 30 minutes.

Dust off your muscles
i) Prone bridge: get on your elbows and toes, hold yourself prone for 10 seconds, then lower it back down. Works on your abs and lower back.
ii) Modified push up (on your knees, with feet crossed): lower for two counts, raise for two counts, and repeat. Gets you ready for the bench press.
iii) Alternate Superman: lie facedown on your stomach, raise your right arm and left leg, hold for several seconds, lower and repeat on the other side. Preps you for deadlifts.

Consume wisely
i) Stick to H20: unless you're working out for more than an hour, you don't need anything but water to stay hydrated.
ii) Fuel your body wisely: eat a piece of fruit 20 minutes before you work out.
iii) Don't fall into old patterns: exercise isn't a free pass to eat whatever you want. Jogging for 3 miles will only burn off about 1 slice of pizza. Instead, eat wheat bagels and low-fat peanut butter.

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