Feeling a little guilty after one too many pineapple tarts this Chinese New Year? Don’t fret, here are some easy exercises to burn off those CNY goodies!
Okay, so maybe your mother was right when she tried to advise you against your 27th kueh bangkit at that family gathering. But in between fending off your relatives’ incessant questions about marriage and work, you can’t be blamed for indulging a little more than you should have right?
Don’t sweat it… yet. Afterall, Chinese New Year happens once a year, and there are many other days left in the same year to work off those calories! Well, that’s what I tell myself anyway.
But if you’re a little strapped for time, here are some quick and easy exercises you can do in your car, at the office, or even while you’re working from home. But please, do not do these exercises while actually driving – safety comes first!
1. Seat pushes
Taking a little break while waiting for a parking spot at the mall? Here’s an easy way to exercise your triceps. Grip the steering wheel at a 10 and 2 position, with your elbows bent. Straighten your elbows and push against the wheel, arching back into your seat. Hold this for 10 seconds, then rest and repeat 5 times.
2. Butt clenches
If you’ve always wanted some glorious glutes, then get clenching! It may sound silly, but surely it’s better than sitting down all day. Simply squeeze those buns and hold them in for 15 seconds. Relax for 30 seconds, and then repeat for 3 sets. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
3. Mini crunches
Okay, so this exercise may not get you that dream 6 pack in a day. But it’s a good place to start! Sit up straight in your seat, and tighten your core muscles/abs as hard as possible. Hold in for about 8 seconds and then release. Repeat 5 times.
4. Shoulder raises
For this easy exercise, you won’t even need to take your hands off the wheel. Raise your shoulder to your neck while tightening your shoulders and neck muscles as much as possible. If you’re doing this effectively, you’ll likely feels some tension in your upper back too. Do this about 20 times. Once you’re finished, relax and roll your neck gently from side to side.
5. Calf raises
Now, now, don’t skip leg day! To give your legs a good workout, start by sitting up straight, feet on the floor with your knees at 90 degrees. Find a weighted object like a book or bag to place on your knees. Point your toes until you feel the flex in your calves and before returning to the resting position. Do this 10 times. If you’re not feeling much of a pull, try a heavier object on your knees.
6. Inner thigh exercise
So you’ve been stuck in your car for ages waiting for your turn at the car workshop. Firstly, why aren’t you using AutoApp yet? Secondly, grab a tennis ball or a similar sized object and place it between your thighs. Okay, okay hear me out before you judge. Once you’ve got that done, squeeze the ball for a count of 10, and repeat 3 rounds. This exercise helps loosen the inner thigh muscles so that you don’t get those annoying pins and needles from sitting down too long!
7. Wash your car
Okay, okay so I cheated a little. This “exercise” involves actually getting out of your car and using more than 1 muscle. But hey, no pain, no gain right? So the next time you’re washing your car, be a little extra and try the following: hold a deep squat when washing your tyres, do side to side lunges as you’re sponging the side of the car, and do bicep curls whenever you pick the bucket up. If you feel silly, just remember that washing your car can help you burn up to 250 calories an hour. Yah, who’s laughing now, kaypoh passerby?
Feeling pumped up already? Why not try out this 4-week workout plan or check out some exercises you can do at home?
