The holidays are right around the corner and we all know what that means... the turkey feasts, eggnog overload, gingerbread lattes and snickerdoodle platters somehow find a way into our diets. I don’t know about you, but that’s all I’ve been having lately. And unfortunately for must of us, that means an extra 5lbs or so.
But what if I told you it didn’t have to be that way? No access to a gym or you have a gym membership collecting dust? No problem! Here are three holiday exercises to help you maintain your physique while enjoying all the treats this holiday season has to offer!
1. Side Planks With Leg Raises
What I absolutely love about this exercise is that it’s a lot less boring than your average planks. Don’t get me wrong, planks work wonders for your abs, but we often tend to forget our obliques need a little love too. With the side planks, you’re working out your obliques and abs, and when you add the leg raises, you’re also incorporating a workout for your glutes and abductors.
2. Lunges
Lunges are, surprisingly, a new addition to my workout routine. They’re completely versatile because you don’t really need to go to a gym for this – just find a hallway and lunge, girl! Need weights and don’t own any dumbbells? Just find the heaviest present under the Christmas tree and that should do the trick ;)
3. Bicycle crunches
A small modification to your average crunches can actually work wonders for your body! Specifically targeting the lower abdominal area to get rid of that stubborn belly fat, but also puts a variety of other muscles at work too – from glutes to thighs. So technically, you’re toning your legs too!