By now you’ve had a chance to make and “forget” about your New Year’s resolution to get into shape. If you’re still going strong, good for you! If not, there’s 11 months left for you to make that change. Let’s get to the core of the matter.
Our cores are the part of our body that keeps us healthiest. We are better able to balance and therefore, navigate our way through and over things. It keeps our backs healthy so we may have better posture and alignment, even as we slouch for 12 hours a day at our desks. More importantly, we are always using it, so it should be strong.
This first half of the year, we are going to flow through a series of exercises focusing on building core strength. We’ll start with the foundational move, the elbow plank. We are on our elbows to reduce the stress on your wrists and shoulders. It also lessens the area for our low back to “bow.” You can do this any time, any where.
Here’s the position:
For this first month, our challenge will be to build time, with the goal being three minutes. Start off with a goal of 30 seconds. Next week, one minute. Week three is two minutes. Then finally, three. After one minute, it’s just a mental game anyway. We’ll then move on to other exercises related to the plank position.
TIPS:
* BREATHE! In through your nose, out through your mouth.
* Do it in front of a mirror so you can be sure you are properly aligned. Your butt should not be up in the
air, creating a triangle look.
* Look about three inches in front of your hands.
* Try to keep your belly button close to your spine
If for nothing else, you want a better sex life, don’t you? Or at least the potential for one?
Your inspiration, Kate Upton and Shemar Moore.
**Consult a physician, physical therapist or trainer before starting this exercise.**