Cool Ways to Tone Up
It is easy to pick up a few pounds when the barbecue is going, and the pitcher of margaritas shows up after a long day. Then, when you consider fall is just ahead, there is a little more pressure/panic to slim down and tone up.
What to do? Keep Moving & Tone Up
Well for me, a lot of my favorite songs and 15 minutes on the treadmill every morning helps to quiet the guilt. But what really works best, can be slipping in some good toning exercises wherever they fit in the day.
It could be early in the morning before the day gets rolling, or later in the day, after work, before dinner. Keep fitting them in every day so working to tone up really becomes less of an issue – then you have ongoing maintenance!
Both Health.com and Glamour agree supplying exercises to sculpt long lean muscles minus the bulk. If you are already into yoga, a lot of these exercises will already seem familiar. Glamour says tone up exercises can make a difference in two weeks, which brings up the question – why not just keeping going?
Ways to Tone Up Now
Health.com Mock Chair Twist – works for lower and upper abs, obliques, hips, thighs and butt. Stand with feet together, bend knees reaching hips back, knees behind toes, lowering until thighs are almost parallel with floor. Raise arms forward and up. Rotate body to right and secure left elbow on outside of right knee. Hold for 3 breaths, return to start. Repeat on left side. Do 3 reps.
Glamour Squat and Shoulder Press – works butt, thighs, arms. Stand with feet hip width apart holding five pound weights in each hand, arms bent, palms facing in. Bend knees and squat. Then stand and press arms straight up over shoulders. Do 8 to 12 reps.
Standing Lift – works obliques, back, shoulders. Stand with left foot in front of right, holding one weight with both hands, arms extended so weight is by right hip. Rotate arms up and across Don’t twist torso, pause, return to start. Do 8 to 12 reps, switch side, repeat.
Keep toning up and keep looking for the individual exercises that really work for you. Choose the ones that you miss when you don't do them.
As always, if you have health issues, see your doctor before beginning new exercises. If painful symptoms show up, stop, and see your doctor.