Shape Up For Summer

Hey Hey Hey!

I've finally decided to make a better effort to get in shape now that I'm back home for the summer. I kept saying oh I would love to go the gym but I'm broke, but seeing my little tummy stand out in front of me was not making me happy. I knew I could do something to start getting in shape without spending money going to the gym.

I put the radio on and started exercising in the little free space I have in my bedroom. The exercises i chose don't require a whole lot of space, just a good bit of concentration.

The first exercise I did was The Plank. Personally I'm not a big fan of this exercise, but that probably means its fabulous lol. I did two versions of it. First I held the starting position for a male push up. I can't say exactly how long I held it for, but let's say a count of 20. To make it easier for me I got a clipping from a magazine and placed it on the floor so I could read. I think this kept me there a lot longer lol. The next version I did was the one I usually attempt to do at the gym. The position is similar as the first, the only difference is that instead of having your palms on the floor, your forearms are on the ground. So this means that your center of gravity is a lot lower to the ground. Again I will say I held it for 20 counts. If you can hold it for longer go for it! I was trembling but I still held on for as long as possible.

The next exercise I proceeded to do were some squats! I love squats. For some odd reason, I just love them. Who am I kidding...I love them because they make my butt look AH-MAZ-INGGGGG!!!! I did 20 quats in all. I added a little twist to the squat which my good friend and gym buddy Gemma showed me. You squat, then as you come up you turn your torso and hi 5 the wall with the opposite hand. So squat (down), come up and turn touching the wall with your left palm (I hope that makes sense). I did one side at a time, and really stretched across to hi 5 the wall.

After squats are another favourite: Lunges!! I love lunges for the same reason I love squats lol. Great "bun", great thighs. I added a knee up to the lunge to give me an extra umph in my little space. So I lunged (backwards), brought the same leg that went back up towards my chest when I stood up without letting it stop to touch the floor. Again 20 done, 10 on each leg, and one leg at a time.

Sit ups/crunches are exercises I shy away from, but not today :). I got back down on the floor and putting my legs up, making right angles at the knees and the hips, I did 20 crunches. I don't put my hands behind my head because I find that I tend to pull my head up and strain my neck when I do that. So for me I pretend I have a ball in my hand and I'm trying to put that ball on top of my knees. I can only imagine actually using a weighted ball will give you ever great results.

Since I was down on the floor again, I did some bicycle crunches also. Basically you touch left knee to right elbow and right knee to left elbow. I couldn't muster 20, so I did 10.

The key to exercising especially your abs, as far as I've heard, is not to strain these muscles. They are easily strained so take it easy and gradually build up to get desired results. So whoever is laughing at me for only doing 20 :P I don't care with you lol.

I've realised that my arms are starting to look a little flabby and unshapely. I'm trying to be a green girl so instead of buying dumbells, what I did was take two water bottles (650 ml) and filled them to the brim with water and use them as dumbells. Eventually I will replace the water with sand which will add more weight to it. Save money and look great doing it :D Nice touch don't you think. Tomorrow, I shall do my arm exercises with my new weights. YAY!!!

Happy Summer everyone. Love the body you're in. If you love it, you will take care of it.

Feel free to comment or give suggestions for exercises you want me to try out! Thanks!