You're home for the holidays and your motivation is waning or practically nonexistent—this simple workout will get your blood flowing and heart pumping without being too taxing, so it won't take you a week to get back on track post-holiday.
The Lazy Girl's Workout
Sometimes all the motivational tricks in the world still can't get you in the mood to move. No other time of the year is this truer than the holidays. With all those festive feasts (and subsequent food comas) and holiday party after holiday party, lacing up your running shoes just doesn't seem appealing. We totally get it—and while it's OK to take a break from your regular HIIT routine, you don't want to create permanent indentations in the couch. The answer: This simple workout that gets your blood flowing and heart pumping without being too taxing. Do it a few times in between festivities, and we swear it won't take you a week to rebound like last year.
Superman
There are no superpowers (nor cape, unfortunately) required to perform this move—in fact, you'll do it lying down. See, we told you this would be easy!
1. Lie facedown with your arms extended to the front.
2. Simultaneously lift your arms and legs a few inches off the ground. Hold for a few seconds, then slowly lower. Repeat.
Tap-Up
The tap-up is an easy way to activate major muscle groups and get your heart pumping quickly. You can perform this move in a standard or modified push-up position, but you should be "tapping" at a brisk pace.
1. Begin in a plank or modified push-up position. Lower your chest to the floor, keeping your elbows bent near sides.
2. Push back up to starting position, and quickly tap your left shoulder with your right hand.
3. Reap push-up, this time tapping your right shoulder with your left hand.
4. Alternate, performing as many reps as possible.
Elevated Split Lunge
Go from lounging on the couch to working out in less time than it takes to channel surf. Just hop up, prop one foot on the edge of the sofa, and get to it.
1. Standing about 2 feet away with back to the couch, place the top of your right foot on the edge of the couch.
2. Bend your left knee and lower into a lunge. Be sure to keep knees tracking in line with toes.
3. Perform 15 reps. Repeat with opposite leg.
Twisted Chair Pose
Sorry, there's no actual chair (or sitting) involved here. Work your back, obliques, and butt with this simple yet super-effective move.
1. Hinge at the waist and sit back into a yoga chair pose. Extend both arms to the outside of hips as if you're rowing a boat. Do this twice on each side.
2. Bring your hands to prayer position and twist to the side again, so your elbows are pointed up and down.
3. Hold for a few seconds before repeating the sequence, this time ending with the prayer twist on the opposite side.
Pilates Press
We'd consider this Pilates-based move a modified triceps push-up, essentially. It's easier than it looks and requires small movements to fatigue the muscles.
1. Get set in a traditional push-up position.
2. Bend one leg behind you, making sure your knees remain in line.
3. Bend elbow directly behind you, keeping your arms close to your sides.
4. Exhale as you push back to starting position. Switch legs.
The Shimmy
Put those dance moves to good use and shimmy your way down to the floor for our version of how to "shake it off." Bonus: You'll feel the burn in both your rectus abdominis and your obliques.
1. Sit on the floor with your knees slightly bent, heels touching the floor. Bring fists up near your chin as if preparing to box.
2. Brace your abs and lean back to a 45-degree angle.
3. Crunch up, then lower torso down, twisting to the left and right on the way down, returning to 45-degree angle.
Hip Circle
Banish the bloat of all that holiday feasting with another move that focuses on deep core muscles—you know, the ones responsible for trimming your waistline.
1. Lie faceup, legs slightly bent, heels on the floor, and prop yourself up by resting on your forearms.
2. Keep your legs straight and glued together, toes pointed. Raise your legs about 45 degrees.
3. Draw a figure eight with your toes. (Draw a counterclockwise circle to the left, return to center, then draw a clockwise circle to the right.) Repeat the pattern.
Diagonal Leg
Fire up your glutes and hamstrings as well as those hard-to-reach lower abs with this new take on the bridge.
1. Lie with your back on the floor, knees bent, feet flat, and hands down by your sides.
2. Lift your hips off the floor (bridge pose).
3. Tuck your left foot under your right thigh, so your left knee will be pointing out to the side.
4. Bring your left leg back to center and point straight up, directly above your hip. Continue this pattern. Repeat with other leg.
Triceps Lift
Grab a towel for this awesome arm move that blasts fat and carves sleek muscles.
1. While grabbing both ends of the towel behind you, pull it taut to increase resistance.
2. Bend into a deep squat and bring towel down to touch the backs of your heels.
3. Pull up and out on the towel ends, engaging the triceps. Reach as high as you can before bringing your arms back down.
4. Repeat for 20 reps.
Single-Leg Crab
Make like a crustacean with this full-body move that gets your tummy tight.
1. Sit with your feet planted firmly on the ground, arms propped up on palms behind you.
2. Lift booty and bent right leg to hover a few inches off the ground.
3. Push hips up into tabletop position (in a straight line from knees to shoulders), squeezing left glute at the top of the position.
4. Swing butt back down toward the floor (but never touching it), crunching into a C-curve at the end.
5. Repeat the pattern, then switch legs.
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