5 Toning Christmas Exercises That You Can Slip In Between Stuffing And Mince Pie

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tricia_nikki

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RealBuzz – Wed, Dec 24, 2014 5:00 PM PHT

Christmas is a time for indulgences yes, but if you're anything like us, you'll be worried about how to look good in your sparkly NYE dress after eating too much stuffing and bread sauce!

Why wait till January to start getting fit when there are great toning exercises to be done in the home?

You can even do them on Christmas day itself, between meals, in order to get your blood pumping, your metabolism working and to keep your tum trim ready for the new year parties!

No matter how busy your schedule’s looking for December 25th, there’s always room for a super-quick workout.  After trying our toning exercises, you can relax guilt-free – bring on the selection box!

Ditch the settee. Here’s how you can watch Christmas films and still get in shape.

Friendship is the art of reaching out and touching someone else's heart.

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tricia_nikki

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Squats

Squats aren’t just great for gorgeous legs and glutes – they tone, improve circulation and help reduce the signs of cellulite; they’re a full body workout too. Squats stimulate a huge hormonal response throughout the body, creating the perfect anabolic environment for muscle growth. This includes both the lower and upper part of your body. With squats, it’s easy to build up strength and lose fat in a matter of weeks. Master the technique and you’re half way there.

For a basic body squat, stand up tall and spread your feet shoulder-width apart, with your arms by your side. Then, slowly push your hips back and lower your body as far as you can reach, allowing your knees to bend. If it helps, raise your arms at the same time to stay balanced. Hold for a second; then return to your starting position.

You can mix it up with variations of the exercise, like jumping back to your original starting position post-squat or introducing weights. Set yourself a squat challenge, starting Christmas day.
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tricia_nikki

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Star Jumps

For a super-toned figure that’s the envy of all your friends, get jumping. Star jumps shape the legs and arms, whilst also promoting a healthy heart. For those self-conscious about their midriff, this exercise is ideal for the tummy too.



First, make sure there are no Christmas trees within close proximity! Then warm up; a quick bicep and calve stretch is fine. Next, find yourself some flat ground and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and arms at your side. Then, bend your knees into the squat position and jump up as high as you can; arms and legs fully extended, so you’re the shape of a star.

To land, bring your arms and legs inward and land softly, knees bent. Repeat the exercise as much as you can – it’s amazing at building core muscles.
Friendship is the art of reaching out and touching someone else's heart.

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tricia_nikki

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Plank

If you're feeling sleepy on Christmas afternoon, create some space and start planking – it can take as little as 30 seconds to complete. As an essential part of yoga, it works to strengthen the core and keep your tummy nice and flat.

Start off on your elbows and knees, with your hands in front, clasped together. Then push your feet out (hip-distance apart), keeping the elbows aligned below your shoulders and straighten your legs. Once comfortable, raise your body off the ground and hold. Rest your weight on the balls of your feet and forearms; you should be able to feel the pressure on your core. Try this for 30 – 60 seconds.

If you’re feeling brave, take it one step further by introducing leg raises or switching to your side. It’s about pushing each muscle to the maximum.
Friendship is the art of reaching out and touching someone else's heart.

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tricia_nikki

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Burpees

Burpees are a ‘no excuses’ exercise – you can do them wherever, whenever. And the best part is it targets the whole body; a toning all-rounder. Unlike bicep curls or crunches, burpees work every muscle. It’s a tricky exercise to get the hang of, but once you do, you’ll soon notice the benefits. It builds endurance and helps you to lose weight at a faster rate.

If you can’t seem to get your push-ups quite right, burpees are the perfect alternative – it’s more about the speed than technique. Ready to get moving?

First, lower into a squat with your hands touching the floor. Then kick your feet back and do a quick push up, allowing your chest to reach the floor. Next, return to the squat position and jump up as high as you can. Burpees are meant to be super-speedy, so don’t hold back. Drop down and give me 20!
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tricia_nikki

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Leg Lifts

For the lazy exercisers amongst us, leg lifts are the best place to start. They’re great at working the abs, without too much effort. Want to increase strength and definition in the comfort of your home?

It’s easy. Lie flat on your back with your legs stretched straight up in front of you, toes pointed together and your arms by your side. Moving nothing but your legs (without bending!), slowly raise and lower those pins, so that your tummy muscles are doing all the hard work. Ladies, if you want to beat the muffin top, this is the one to try.
Friendship is the art of reaching out and touching someone else's heart.

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sweets

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I can do it! Whew


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erika

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sounds interesting
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OMG

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just do it!

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tricia_nikki

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lezzzzdothizzz!
Friendship is the art of reaching out and touching someone else's heart.