How many of you watch TV? Would you qualify as a couch potato? I know that I would have to answer 'yes' to both of these questions and I would also have to admit that I'm spending a lot of time in front of the computer as well.
The point of all of this is that we associate 'couch potato-ism' with being fat and lazy.
BUT it doesn't have to be that way!! Here's a list of activities you can do while watching TV: 1.
Do some stretches.
You can be sitting and touching your toes or doing trunk twists or sit on the floor with your legs spread flat or lie on your stomach and do some backstretches.
Make sure that the stretches are long (about 20sec/stretch) and controlled.
2.
Do some sit-ups.
3.
Leg raises can be easily done while sitting down.
Add some of your kids to your legs to increase the resistance.
4.
Get off the couch and do some push-ups.
Again you can add some kids to your back to increase the resistance.
5.
You can stand up and do some squats.
As well as adding some kids you could do one-legged squats.
And while you are doing this you can also do some calf-raises.
6.
Do some resistance training for your arms by curling one arm while pushing down with the other arm.
7.
Do some shadow boxing, either standing or sitting.
8.
Do some dips on the edge of the chair.
9.
If you're watching a music program of some kind get up and dance.
10.
If it's a sports game join in with the crowd by standing up and cheering or doing the Mexican wave.
11.
During the ad breaks get up and walk around the house.
For every hour of tv this could add up to about 12mins of exercise.
12.
Try and drink water instead of snacking on chips and peanuts.
You can do all of these things AND watch your favourite TV program AND because you are watching your favourite TV program your mind isn't solely focused on the exercise so it won't feel as painful.
While these exercises on their own will not result in you losing tons of weight they will get you into the habit of exercising and they will certainly go some way to helping you achieve your weight loss goal.
Enjoy!! Remember when starting any new diet and/or exercise regime consult your doctor first.