Tone Up

Get rid of that jiggle and wobble by conditioning your muscles. We don’t mean bench-pressing hundreds of kilos; just taking a couple of minutes each day to work out in the comfort of your own home. Do it gradually. It’s wise to do about two sets of 10-12 reps for each muscle group about two to three times a week. To ease into it, try these workouts:

1. Lower Body
Start by doing lunges: Start with your feet hip-width apart. Take a large step forward with your left leg. Align your left knee over your left foot. Keep your back straight. Bring your left knee until it’s just above the ground. Press firmly into the floor with your left foot while straightening your right knee. Return to the standing position, and repeat the routine with your right foot.

2. Upper Body
Women usually ignore this area, but don’t! Using dumbbells, try chest presses, kickbacks, curltwists – or these lateral raises (you can stand or sit): Grasp a pair of dumbbells and let them hang at your sides while bending your elbows slightly. Tense your abdominal muscles while you do this. Exhale as you raise your arms until they’re parallel to the floor. Don’t lock your elbows, though. Inhale as you lower your arms.

3. Midsection
Strong torso muscles stabilise your body and can help prevent back pain. Try crunches: Lie on a mat on your back, knees bent and feet on the floor. Point your feet up for back support. Place both hands under your head. As you exhale, curl your upper body towards your thighs  about 30 degrees. Inhale as you slowly lower yourself. Keep your lower back pressed into the floor and avoid sudden movements.