subject: Stomach Exercises at Your Desk [print this page] Think about the number of times you've seen an advertisement on television for the latest and greatest abdominal exerciser that has ever come out. Think about all of the yard sales that you have driven past and all of the exercise equipment that you saw. The truth is, you don't need the latest and greatest gizmo for stomach exercises. Start: in a push-up position, or with only your elbows (forearms) and toes on the ground. Hold yourself rigid, flexing your abs until your entire body is straight. Hold for 15 seconds. Rest for 5 Seconds. Repeat the hold for another 15 seconds. Then hold for another 15 seconds. Rest for 5 seconds. And one last hold for 15 seconds, and then rest for 5. Posture is probably the most important step of all. Good posture generates good muscle tone. It really is defeating the purpose if you lose the fat and the muscle along with it. During your daily ritual, whether it be at home or work, take the time to think of you posture. Sit up tall and let your shoulders relax. Imagine your belly button is the elevator at the top of a ten-floor building. As you exhale, sink the elevator down to the 1st floor. Hold it there as you breathe lightly. Work up to holding to a count of 10. Do this exercise 3 times a day for a stronger waist in a week! Whenever you can, align your knees against a stable surface and lean back and do some crunches. Once you've found your balance, you won't even need that surface and can just do them on the fly. Kegel exercises can be done without any of your work colleagues realizing what you are doing, they will just assume that it's only work. You can do kegel exercises by pulling your pelvic floor muscles up while holding your stomach muscles in. It should feel like you are stopping urine mid-stream. Work up to holding this for a count of 10 and try to do them at least three times a day. You should notice, even doing this keeps the body warmer by enhancing your circulation. The next stretch is for your lower back. Sitting up straight, imagine again your head is extending in to the sky. Gently twist to one side with your hand on your sacrum, which is the bony part between your back and buttocks. Instead of taking a long lunch break, take a brisk walk or do some gentle stretching instead of lounging about. Pull your chin toward your chest until you feel a stretch along the back of your neck, or slowly bring your shoulders up toward your ears. Use your break periods for some form of fitness, anything to keep you more active than your stationary data entry position can provide. Another quick and easy exercise that can be done while at your desk, in the elevator, or even standing in line is heel rises. You can do these by putting your foot down and lifting up your heels. This will tone your legs and make them strong and lean. Finally another good workout tip is the triceps dip. These can be done by sitting on the edge of your chair and putting your arms and hands behind you with your feet firmly on the ground.
