Sometimes, your busy day just gets the best of you.
Errands take longer than expected, someone is teething and cranky, or the dog ate a quarter and needs to go to the vet. When all is said and done, you just don't have time to pack the kiddo(s) up and go to the gym.
Trust me---I get it. Things happen!
So, what do you do when this happens, but you know you reeeeeeally need to workout and relieve some of that stress? You MAKE time! Whether if it's during nap time, play time, or bedtime, you can bust out a quickie and feel amazing and accomplished! You don't even have to do all of your workout at the same time, either. Five minutes here and there can add up to a great workout!
Here are some of my fave exercises for those hectic days:
-Pushups: whether it's on the floor, modified (on your knees), or on an incline (such as the fireplace), these puppies will work your chest, shoulders, back, and core like no other exercise!
-Squats: pick up something heavy and squat! It can be a gallon of milk, a bag of potatoes, or hand weights (if you have them). Heck, I've even used my munchkin as a "weight" before, and she thought it was hilarious! Tighten your core, sit back on your heels, and really squeeze that booty!
-Skater Lunges: set two paper plates (or something else that slides easily) on the floor, assume a lunge position, and alternate legs, really squeezing your glutes and quads to help you slide the plates across the floor. Just be careful--ain't nobody got time to go to no hospital!
-Plank Sliders: using those same paper plates under your feet, assume a plank position. Slide one leg out to the side, and then back in. Alternate legs, keeping your core tight and your back flat.
-Mountain Climbers: when you're done with the above planks, start sliding your feet (one at a time) in towards your chest. Quickly alternate your legs, almost like you're climbing a mountain. I bet you'll feel these in those lower abs!
-Bicep Curl to Shoulder Press: grab two cans, jugs of water, or something moderately heavy and do a bicep curl with them. Once you bring the weight up to your collar bone, rotate your wrists and then press the weights up over your head. Slowly lower them back down to your collar bone, rotate your wrists again, and straighten your arms all the way back out by your sides (keeping your elbows in).
*Try to perform 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions of each exercise, taking very little rest in between each set (less than 30 seconds).
There you have it, guys. A super quick workout that will get that heart rate up, muscles burning, and endorphins flowing!