Fast-forward about 14 years and here we are. I still don't like to sweat. I don't avoid working out because of the actual physical exertion. I'm not actually a wimp. I'm not a typically lazy person. I'm not a dainty flower. You get where I'm goin' here?? lol This is how my brain works when I think about exercise, not even exaggerating. Here goes..."Okay, I should really work out today....but when? If I do it in the morning then I lose sleep but I'll be able to wash up and get ready for the day before the kids start bugging me. Wellll, maybe I should do something relaxing and just warming of the body so I don't actually sweat before I have to start my day. Because I won't be able to shower until tonight. Oh! Okay, so maybe I'll work out after the kids go to bed! Then I can just hop in the shower and really not worry about giving it all I got. But then I'm really tired...and I'm not really in the mood to get all sweaty when it's my wind-down time. So maybe I'll do some yoga or pilates so I don't sweat. Then I can shower earlier, veg a bit and then I'll do my exercise." And guess what....yeah it never happens. Avoiding the sweat always wins.
Do you ever play mind games with yourself? Setting the alarm earlier to compensate for your automatic snooze reflex? How about moving your phone across the room so that you have no choice but to physically get out of bed to silence the awful noise that woke you from your slumber. I've done it with my checkbook (did I not mention I'm old school??) and plenty of other scenarios. I also do it with exercise. Now, this isn't a replacement for a good, challenging workout. Creating and sticking to that habit is still a work in progress for me at this point. But to actually move, tone and avoid the excessive flabby, floppy, "whyyyy do I look like this this week??" issue requires some minimal exercises...and you guessed it, most of them are "old school" and have been used since the dawn of time.
This is a great exercise for "standing abs" and gives you that "cut" in your lower waist/oblique area. I'm telling you, within DAYS, you'll see a huge difference. You may still have flab but you'll see that "cut"! You can also lift the knee straight in front of you and alternate while twisting your waist to tap the opposite thigh coming up. LOVE standing abs!
Without thinking too hard about my choices, I usually gravitate towards something like a Thai Cheng (Beachbody), YogaZone workout, Scott Cole's Thai Chi, Gaiam's AM/PM Yoga or my own list of "no-sweat exercises".
These workouts can be done in the morning or evening so it's great if you're a night exerciser or you've just let the day get away with you and you realize you haven't worked out yet! If you're working on centering yourself in the morning with meditation or prayer, personal development time and a more serene morning, this is definitely a great exercise option to add to the mix.
Some of my go-to moves are:
- Dancing. In the kitchen, living room, any kind of music. The kids watch the videos on YouTube and Mommy dances. Sometimes my daughter joins me. I do my exercises to the beat or I just move and dance. There are no rules but I guarantee my breathing is shallow and my body is warmed....I might start sweating but it's so much fun I kind of don't mind. ;-)
- Sun Salutations, stretching up and out with your arms, bending at the waist and warming up the entire body.
- Arm circles, forwards and backwards
- Knee lifts, as mentioned above, in front as well as at an angle to the side to work the abs in different ways.
- Squats, talk about warming the body! Wowza!
- Counter push-ups, for the real fuss-pots out there...don't even get on the floor. Stand a 2-3 feet away from your kitchen counter, lean towards the counter with your hands on the edge and plank yourself forward leaning towards the counter with your body weight. You'll feel it, I promise. Do as many as you can, just make sure you do it barefoot or in a way that your feet don't move. Don't want you knocking your precious teeth out by slippin'!
- Leg lifts, leg completely straight, forward like your doing karate kicks, out to the side like a pendulum, and to the back corner (works the bum!) and straight back (another bum!)
- Trunk twists, stand feet slightly apart and twist your waist and stretch the opposite arm to the corner and alternate, twisting your "trunk".
- Laying down (even if it's on your bed!), legs up in the air...air bicycle!
- Laying down still....one leg straight down, bring the other straight up and point that toe towards the ceiling. Keep going until that leg gets tired, then alternate.
- Laying down some more, lift both legs in a V....keep holding!! You're shaking....lift that V!.....Go as high as you can and EASE back down.....do that a few times a day and watch how fast that Mommy-pouch tightens up!
Using resistance bands of any kind, the flat rubber band style or the ones with handles, whatever you like, keep those handy. Any free moment, you can use them sitting on the couch, laying on the bed watching something or even doing some leg lifts in the kitchen while waiting for dinner to cook.
These aren't new and spectacular ideas but it just shows you how truly easy even the most minimal effort can change our bodies or at the very least, keep us from getting REALLY mushy. You won't sweat with any of these exercises. No need to shower or plan your day with these in mind. You may shake, feel the warmth and breathe a little differently but I know that if I don't do these simple movements, I see the negative change very, very quickly., especially in my tummy. These are truly "no excuses" ideas so let's get moving....and we won't even have to break a sweat!
Keep up with me on Instagram @baharluvsmakeup for quick reviews, ideas and to stay connected between posts!
