Try This Thursday!

Happy Day Before Christmas Eve!

I can't believe Christmas is just 2 days away! I am so ready so celebrate Jesus' birthday, and spend time with my wonderful family! I wrapped my last present last night, and they are all waiting under the tree until it is time to pack them up and head out!

Yesterday, was nice and relaxing. I went for a quick run in the morning, and then taught yoga at 12:15pm. Unfortunately, I was back inside on the treadmill due to the cold! In the afternoon, I turned into a wrapping machine! My fingers might be sore tomorrow. :) I also went to the grocery store to get ready for all of the baking I have planned for tomorrow. Banana Oat Bread and chocolate Oreo balls are both on the to-do list!

Since most of us will be traveling for Christmas, I thought I would share some of my favorite moves that require no equipment at all. These are easy to do in the guest bedroom, your family's living room, or outside (hopefully post run or walk with the fam). I am not some crazy workout Nazi, so if you take the day (or a couple of days) off just to relax and spend time with the family, I think that is great! But if you are itching to get in a quick workout, here are some new moves you can try!

Charlie's Angel



Stand with feet hip-width apart, elbows bent so that hands are in front of chest, palms pressed together, as in prayer pose. Keeping shoulders squared, lunge diagonally forward with right leg, crossing it to the outside of left leg, bending both knees 90 degrees. As you lunge, extend arms in front of you at shoulder level, palms pressed together, then rotate torso and arms as far right as you can while keeping hips squared. Return to start. MAKE IT HARDER: Do walking curtsies, lunging right leg diagonally in front of left, then sweeping left leg out to side and lunging it diagonally in front of right. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat. [source] This exercise works your core, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. This is a great choice if you are short on time, but want to hit multiple muscle groups!

Tadpole to Frog

  

Start on the mat in full push-up position, balancing on hands and toes, arms extended, body forming a straight line from head to heels. Keeping arms tucked close by sides, bend elbows directly behind you to lower chest toward mat. Press up, extending arms, and jump feet forward so that they land outside hands. Make it easier: Start with knees on mat and lower chest. Push up and lift knees off mat to press hips up into an inverted V; walk left foot and then right foot to outside of hands. Set up again for a low push-up or triceps push-up. [source] Start with 10 reps and work your way up to 15.

Ballet Bridge

Ballet dancers are known for having incredibly strong, lean legs. This ballet exercise targets the inner thighs, back of the legs, core and butt to help anyone get a ballerina's lower body. How to do it: Lie on your back with your stomach pulled in, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Straighten your right leg, toes pointed up toward the ceiling. Keep your stomach pulled in tight as you lift your hips off the floor, trying to keep your knees together. Lower your hips until you're not quite touching the floor and then lift again. Complete 30 reps with one leg and then repeat on the other side. [source] To make this move harder, come up on your toe (like you see in the picture).

Chaturanga

Start in a Plank, then keep abs tight and bend elbows to lower entire body toward floor as far as you can without rounding shoulders forward, lifting butt up or letting hips sag. Lower all the way to floor, then push back to Downward-Facing Dog, walk feet forward, bend knees and roll up to Mountain Pose. Repeat the sequence. [source] Chaturanga is an amazing arm and core workout! If you complete this series 5+ times you will know you are working hard!

Perfect Posture Slide

Lie face down with arms extended overhead, elbows slightly bent, and a towel under each palm. Contract abs and slowly lift chest off floor while sliding hands in a circular motion out and down toward shoulders, bringing elbows next to rib cage and hands just in front of chest. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then reverse motion back to start to complete 1 rep. [source] Start with 15 reps and then work your way up from there.

I hope you have fun trying out these new moves! Still worried about the effects of grandmas pumpkin pie? Check out this article: Burn off Those Holiday Splurges.

We are beginning our travels tomorrow, so I'm not sure when my next post will be. I hope everyone has a Happy, Healthy, and Relaxing Holiday!!

Merry Christmas!

Lauren G.