Simple Moves to Beat Holiday Weight Gain

The year-end holidays are just around the corner. And if you’re like many out there, chances are you’ll busy partying and having lots of fun. And in that fun, food is always the unavoidable centre of attraction.

Mistake one – don’t eat yourself senseless, thinking that you’ll be able to shed the extra pounds later (you know it’s not easy in the first place).

But if you did, there’s no other way but to work your butts off (literally) to lose the extra kilos you gained during the holiday break. The following effective full-body toning moves – best done three times a week – have been designed by Alycia Kluegl, a trainer at New York Sports Clubs in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA.

BELLY BLASTERS

Crunches:

Lie on your back, legs bent and feet flat on the floor. Place hands behind your head and focus on a point on the ceiling. Use your abdominal muscles to lift your upper body several inches, then lower back down to the floor. Repeat 15 times.

Oblique crunches:

Begin on the floor in the same starting position. Lift your shoulder blades up while twisting so that your right elbow touches your left knee. Return to starting position, then switch sides. Repeat 15 times on each side.

LOWER-BODY SCULPT

 

Weighted squats:

Stand with feet hip-distance apart, arms at sides, holding 10-pound weights. Squat as if sitting down in a chair. Stop when thighs are parallel to the floor, then return to standing. Repeat 12 times.

Weighted lunges:

Stand with feet together, arms at sides, holding 10-pound weights.Step forward with left foot and lower body until left thigh is parallel to floor. Straighten your left leg, then step back. Repeat with the right leg, alternating sides 12 times.

UPPER-BODY-SCULPT

Bicep curls:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at sides, holding 8-pound weights. Keep elbows close to your body. Curl hands up toward shoulders for four counts, pause, then lower down for eight counts. Repeat 12 times.

Push-ups:

Lie on your stomach, knees bent, feet in air, palms on the floor by shoulders. Keeping abs tight and back straight, push your body up until arms are straight. Lower back down, keeping elbows close to your torso. Repeat 12 times.