20120830

Stay-at-home fitness



BUILD YOUR MUSCLES
    
BOOKS The next time you’re reading a tome, put it to another use. Balance it on your stomach to increase the load on your abs while performing stomach crunches. To turn the heat on your lower abs, lie flat on your back with your arms extended above you, holding a heavy book. Use only your stomach muscles to propel the movement as you lift your shoulders straight off the ground, keeping the rest of your body flat. Here’s another exercise: Sit on a chair with your legs together and extended in front of you, with your feet eight inches above the ground. Balance the book on your shins as you slowly lift your legs up, while keeping them extended. Lower the legs and repeat. Fill a satchel with books. Lift it bending only your elbows, and voila, you have for yourself a formidable » dumbbell.


DE-STRESS YOUR NERVES TENNIS BALLS » Who doesn’t want a genie to massage their feet after a particularly trying day? Believe it or not, a tennis ball is a wonderful substitute. While sitting, slide a tennis ball under your foot. Keep rolling it back and forth, as it massages your heel. Start with less pressure and progress to rolling the ball under your foot while standing. If it hurts, it means your nerve endings are not relaxed. Switch to the other foot after five minutes. Load four tennis balls into an old legging, or a much-washed sock. Tie the end and roll this makeshift massager on your back (as you would a towel after a shower) for a soothing back rub. A tennis ball can also help tone your muscles. Hold one between your knees while sitting on the edge of a chair. Squeeze your legs together to work out your inner thighs.