Chris Eckert
If you listen closely enough, you can practically hear the anxious rumbling from your friends about getting fit in time for vacation. So many women want to shape up for the season, but few of you have the time or energy to get started. And if you're anything like me, you spend most of your day doing everything for everybody else…kids, colleagues, family, friends, pets. You're so wrapped up in life that you fail to carve out time for yourself. It happens!
When I can't find the motivation to get moving, I map out two weeks of super-short routines that—no matter what—I have to find time in my day to do. Why two weeks? Because it's just long enough for your body to get used to exercising again and for you to see results. Remember, you have to start somewhere to get somewhere.
These workouts incorporate calorie-burning moves to target your whole body. To see even greater changes, repeat both weeks for a full month of movement. It's the perfect summer slimming plan!
Start by doing each move for 1 minute, rest for 30 seconds, then repeat twice for 6 minutes of activity. Bonus: Take a 20-minute walk before your workout for more benefits! Once you've completed week one, get your workout plan for week two.
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Squats: Tones legs, glutes
Stand with your legs a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Push through your heels as you bend your knees and bring your rear down as if you're sitting in a chair. Thrust your hips forward to stand back up to start; repeat.
Assisted Push-Ups: Tones arms, chest
A. Start in a push-up position, with knees on floor and shoulders in line with wrists (upper body in a straight line). B. Bend your elbows and lower your chest until it's a few inches from the ground. Push up and repeat.
Toy soldiers: Tones legs, shoulders
Stand with your arms straight out, parallel to the ground, palms facing down. Kick your left foot up so your left toe touches or comes close to your left palm. (Be sure you don't move your arms up or around your back as you kick.) Repeat with right foot to right palm.
Crab Walk: Tones arms, back, glutes
A. Start in a tabletop position (hands and feet flat on the ground; shoulders in line with knees). B. Walk three steps back using your arms and legs, then go three steps forward and repeat. Squeeze your glutes as you step.
Hip-Raise Marches: Tones glutes
A. Lie on your back, arms by your sides, knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Squeeze your glutes and lift your rear into a bridge. B. Bring your right knee toward you a few inches, then return your leg to the floor and repeat with the left leg.
Classic Plank: Tones core, shoulders
Place your forearms on the ground with legs straight out behind you and toes on the ground. There should be an invisible line from your shoulders to your ankles. Also, keep your hands loose (no tight fists). Tip: Do this for 30 seconds (with practice, you can work your way up to 1 minute).
Squat-Thrusts: Tones shoulders, core, legs
A. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend down and put your hands on the floor. B. Hop or walk your feet back so you're in push-up position, then immediately hop or walk your feet in. Stand up and repeat.
Y's, T's, and I's: Tones back
Start standing, then bend forward slightly (don't round your back). Bring your arms out in front of you into a Y shape, leading with your thumbs, then quickly bring your arms down; repeat for 20 reps. Make a T shape by bringing your arms up by your sides, then lower them; repeat for 20 reps. Last, make an I shape by bringing your arms straight up, parallel to your ears, then down; repeat for 20 reps. This should take about 1 minute.
Diagonals: Tones glutes, shoulders, core
A. Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, arms out to the left with your left leg slightly bent. B. Lift your right knee up as you lower your arms so your hands meet your knee. Repeat the motion for 30 seconds, then continue on the opposite side for 20 seconds by bringing your arms up on the right side, then down, while lifting your left knee.
Sumo Squats: Tones glutes, legs, hip flexors
Start in a wide standing position and turn your toes out slightly. Lower into a squat as though you're sitting in a chair, then stand back up; repeat. Keep your knees in line with your toes.
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