Once again it is that time of year when Hallmark and other television networks start their countdown to Christmas specials. All though we love watching our favorite actors and actresses spread holiday cheer on our television screens, sitting and watching movie marathons for hours on end can do a lot more harm than good to our bodies. It is fine to watch your favorite movies, but don’t forget the importance of being active! You do not need to workout for 2 hours a day, but take steps in your life to keep your body moving even when you are watching television. So how can you stay active while watching tv? Here is a series of workouts that you can do every commercial break as you watch the 25 days of Christmas holiday specials.
Do you need help creating a new workout schedule this winter? Click here to learn more on how to create your own physical activity routine.
Commercial Workout Routine While Watching Your Favorite Holiday Movies
For every commercial break during the 25 days of Christmas movies marathons, you will have roughly 3 minutes to perform a quick workout. Here are 5 different exercises to choose from. I recommend rotating the workouts with every commercial break. If you have an injury, pick and choose what exercises are best for you to do.
Workout #1: Plank
Hold a plank for 30 seconds. Once the time is up, you will go right into performing 15 push-ups. If you struggle to perform push-ups from your feet, don’t be afraid to drop to your knees! After the push-ups, do another 30 second plank. Finally, finish off our mini workout with crunches until the 3 minutes is up.
Workout #2: Russian Twist
Do jumping jacks for 1 minute to start. Once the minute is up go right into 10 burpees. To increase the difficulty of the exercise do a push-up while you are on the ground with each burpee. Finally, finish off by holding a plank or performing Russian twists until the 3 minutes is up.
Workout #3: Glute Bridge
Let’s burn those legs! Start the workout by doing 20 squats, focusing on squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Then, go right into 20 lunges. Make sure that your front knee does not pass the top of your foot as you lunge. Finally, move to the floor and perform glute bridges until the 3 minutes are over. To increase difficulty, do the bridges with one leg in the air while trying to keep your balance during the exercise.
Workout #4: V-Ups
This is going to be a core burner! Start out your workout doing 20 Russian twists, holding your opposite elbow to knee for 10 seconds every 5 twists. From there go directly into 15 V sit-ups focusing on maintaining straight legs. Then, hold your V position for 30 second or until you can’t stay in that position anymore. Finally, flip over to your stomach and hold a plank for as long as you can or until your 3 minutes are up.
Workout #5: Stairs
This final workout is easy to do and only requires a set of stairs! Once the commercials start, immediately run over to the closest staircase and walk up and down for 3 minutes. This is an excellent and quick cardio workout sure to get your heart pumping!
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To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
This blog post was written by Bailee Richman, Dietetics Student from the University of Maryland
