Quick & Easy Kitchen Workout
Many times, life and our busy schedules get in the way of
our exercise routines. But even if you don't have time for the gym or a
dedicated half-hour workout, there are lots of ways to squeeze in exercise
while multitasking. Enter my quick and easy kitchen workout.
The best part about these kitchen-based moves are that you
can fit them into your schedule while doing other things. They can help to burn
extra calories by simply adding toning exercises to everyday life. My favorite
kitchen move is the one for chest and shoulders, countertop push-aways. It's a
push up against the sink or kitchen counter. Women don't realize that the push
away really works chest and arms.
These seven exercises will burn up extra calories and firm
your muscles. The great thing about your muscles is that they don't care where
you are or where you work out! We spend a lot of time in kitchen, three meals,
a lot of time that you could turn kitchen time into toning time. It's important
to move your muscles wherever you are and whenever you can. In this case, you
can do all of these moves while standing at the kitchen sink. You don't need
equipment or workout gear. Also, while you may need 20 minutes of cardio or
aerobics daily, toning and stretching is totally different and can be done at
one-minute intervals throughout the day as a way to firm up muscles.
Here, the moves for my quick and easy kitchen workout:
1. Sink 'n' Squat
Stand about an arm-length away from the sink with your feet
shoulder-width apart. Squat and hold for five seconds.
2. Leg and Butt Lift
While standing at the sink washing dishes or scrubbing
veggies, lift your right leg behind you and pulse it up and down. Switch legs
and repeat.
3. Saddlebag Slimmers
Stand with your left side to the counter and place your left
hand on it. Lift your right leg out to the side about a foot off the ground and
pulse. Turn so that your right side faces the counter, then switch legs and
repeat.
4. Inner-Thigh Toner
Stand with your left side to the counter and place your hand
on it. Lift your right leg off the floor and bring it across the front of your
body toward the left side. Pulse. Switch sides and repeat.
5. Countertop Push-Aways
I do these while waiting for my toast to pop up! First,
place your hands on the counter a little wider than shoulder-width and step a
few feet away with your legs. Bend your elbows, bringing your chest toward the
countertop, then push back up to the start position.
6. Down Dog
Stand about an arms-lengths away from a countertop. Place
your hands on the counter, bend forward at the waist so your body forms a
ninety-degree angle, and keep your back straight.
7. Leg Stretch
Place your leg straight on a countertop. Keeping your back
straight, lean forward and reach for your toes.
Denise Austin has helped millions of people lose weight.
She's sold 20 million exercise DVDs, authored more than 10 books, and starred
in the most-watched fitness show in history! Denise's mission is to help
America get fit – and now she's online at DeniseAustin.com
to motivate and educate people everywhere to eat right and exercise