It is cold – everywhere. And the saddest part is the frozen icicles growing from my running shoes. I never meant to stop exercising, but the frigid air and icy sidewalks are just too uncomfortable. But the January thaw has arrived. And the promise of spring is making me a little antsy to get out there and get moving.
The first step to motivation is wanting to get out there—home is so warm and cozy. What we need to do is become uncomfortable in our warm environment.
Jog in Place
Start with a basic warm up. Jog in place for a few minutes. Move your arms. Start rotating your neck and ankles. Basically—get the blood flowing and heartbeat going.
Push-ups
Next, drop down and give me ten. Push-ups will activate your biceps, triceps, pectoral and abdominal muscles. Concentrate on breathing in when you push up, breathe out when you release down to the floor.
Sit-ups
Now flip over to a sitting position. Try a variety of sit-ups that will warm up all your abdominal muscles.
1) Lie on your back with your legs in a 90 degree angle with your feet off the ground. Place your hands behind your head or along your sides. Do ten sit-ups by lifting your shoulders off the ground. Now do ten sit-ups going side to side.
2) Let your feet come back to the ground. Do ten sit-ups lifting your shoulder blades off the ground.
Jumping Jacks
Start with 15 jumping jacks to warm up your inner thighs and oblique muscles.
You should now be warm; you should even be hot—too hot to stay inside. You have now created the desire to go outside. Enjoy your jog.
But do me a favor; let your running shoes thaw first.
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