Holiday season is here and many of us are planning holiday getaway to tropics. That means swimming suits and perfect bodies. But how do you stay fit when it's freezing outside and all you want to do after work is hibernate in the comfort of your home, eating yummy food and drinking hot cocoa?
How do we get motivated?
After a week of browsing instagram accounts of influencers like @emrata model Emily Ratajkowski and model Izabel Goulard @izabelgoulart I conquered my laziness.
Their perfect bodies and daily commitment to exercise did it for me. I told myself, " I can, too, have those perfect lines on my abs!"
And so it began. Although I had so many printouts of various workout plans, I had to research again because I wanted to go after specific areas. I had to make it complicated. (I guess it was my way of dragging time purposely to avoid the start.) After searching online I printed out few sets of exercises for my target areas; abs, love handles and bootie, because who doesn't like a sight of good beach bum.
I began my daily 10 minute workout plan. Yes, 10 minutes is short, but on a daily basis it said to deliver great results. I wanted to take it easy, gradually adding more time and more exercises as I progressed. I needed to learn to enjoy this torture. I had to learn to love the pain of muscle burning. So while my husband was watching TV in the living room, I would place my yoga mat right by his side and begin exercising. I never had time to watch TV, now I was multitasking. Month later after daily exercises, I finally started noticing the difference. I felt unbelievable lightness around my waist, my abs started showing side dents I sooo wanted. Wearing skinny jeans became enjoyable.
The best part out of this experience is as soon as you begin noticing changes in your body, you will no longer want to sit like a lazy bum and you'll start watching what you eat and when you eat it. No diets needed, just carefully choose and make decisions about what you put into your mouth.
Patience is the key. It's always best when you have support from a spouse or a friend. When at times you feel like quitting, they will motivate you to go on. My husband did. Glad I married him. But if your support is not around, sit down, open instagram and scroll through Ratajkowski or Goulart feed. Thank me later.
The most important exercises of all is plunk. Ask any supermodel. I started with a 1 minute plunk. It's really not that bad especially while watching your favorite TV show. 1 minute gradually turned to 5. Every muscle on your body is working, burning. If you're shaking like a leaf, that's a good sign. Hang in there, you're muscles are cooking.
Next step is to turn to sideway plunks and just chill there for another minute on each side. If you can make it a rotating one (10 counts, 2 sets) even better. Think about those fabulous ab lines. Picture yourself walking on the beach, that should get you through two sets easily.
Abdominal crunches burn your sides. Work through that burn as long as you can. Think of your side ab muscles, be patient and you'll soon notice those dents you always dreamed of having.
Glute Bridge it baby! Lie faceup with knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. Raise hips straight up off the ground, engaging glutes and bracing your core. Lower down slowly, creating your own resistance.
No need for weights. You can add them later as you progress. Start with two sets of 10 and hold the last set for a minute. Feel your booty muscles burning as you release. And instead of complaining to yourself how much it hurts, appreciate the pain. Learn to love it. (sounds mazochistcit, but do it)
Get on your knees girl just like Karlie Kloss, bend your working leg and slightly raise to just below hip level. Make sure your stomach and thigh are engaged. Point the toe and imagine you are tapping the ceiling with your foot. Engage only your glute to lift the leg in an upward motion. Start with 10 reps and build to 20. After each set, you can sit back in child’s pose to rest.
Lie on your right side, right leg extended straight along the mat. Bend your left leg and place your foot, either flat or on demi-point (heel lifted), on the mat in front of your bottom leg. Lift your straight leg four to five inches off the ground. Feel it burning? You're on the right track.
Remember Frog Crunches are your best friends. 20 reps and don't complain.
Start on your back with your hands behind your head and your elbows wide. Keeping your heels together and toes pointed out, bring your knees to touch your elbows as you perform a crunch, bringing your upper back and head off the floor.
Makeup Tips from Spring 2019