Exercising at home

What happens if you need to exercise but are too shy to go to gym and don't like running? Or too self-conscious to run? I have worked out some things that you can do at home without needing extra equipment. I have listed some for you:

• Stepping: most of us have some steps somewhere at home. All you need are 1 or 2 so that you can do step-ups. Slightly higher steps are better. Do 30 reps (repeats) changing the leg you start off on.
• Run around the house: I am not saying you should just run around and around in circles but if you combine it with some of the other exercises it gets your heart-rate up.
• Shuttle runs: Run up and down the passage or the back garden, touching the floor at each end. Go fast.
• Lunges: walking lunges are brilliant for your thighs and bum. Do a normal lunge (without the dumbbells) and then step forward into the next lunge on the other leg. Lunge all the way up the garden or down the passage. Alternatively you can lunge in one spot and every time you come up you kick forward with the leg which was behind you. You can do this in a standing lunge or walking.
• Squats: Also great for your thighs. You can do a normal squat (without the dumbbells), just going up and down. Or a variation is to stop halfway up and go down again ie half a squat, or 1 1/2 squats. The sumo squat is another favourite of mine - NOT! Go down into the squat position, then jump up so your feet leave the ground but you stay in the squat position.
• Skipping: get a skipping rope. I used to hate skipping but now, although I don't love it I will even do it voluntarily now and again.
• Side kicks: stand next to a wall and lift your leg out sideways. Kick. Feel it in your waist. Do 30 or so reps. Up, down, up down!!!!

See?!! You don't need fancy equipment or to go running or to a gym. You can vary the above exercises, for example, run around the house (or the pool) 2 or 3 times. Stop and do 20 step-ups every time you come to steps. Do lunges up and down the garden 2 or 3 times, stopping at each end to do some squats. Then run around the house again or do shuttle runs. There is a lot you can do, you just need the motivation. And I can tell you this, you are not going to lose oops! get rid of that weight if you don't exercise more. I am going to do another post on bum and tummy exercises soon.