GET YOUR BODY RIGHT IN 10 EARLY-MORNING MINUTES

Featured Contributor: Jordan Parker Means

Busy. It’s the small word that has the power to derail so many well-intentioned plans. It also happens to be one of the main reasons why moms fall out of step with their workout routine. There’s work to do, children to shuttle from place to place, meals to cook, and let’s not forget a little break for you just to relax. Sometimes it seems impossible to fit regular workouts into the fold. Not anymore.

If you commit to waking up just 15 minutes earlier, you can do an effective full-body workout that will challenge your body, help keep your cardiovascular fitness level sound and jumpstart your day with a burst of energy. It’s a three-to-five minute warmup followed by a 10-minute workout. The best part about this workout is that you don’t have to leave the privacy of your home, and you don’t need any equipment at all.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Warmup
Jog in place for 3-5 minutes.

Workout
Do each of the following exercises for 30 seconds. Complete four rounds of the sequence, trying not to stop the entire time.

Mountain climbers
Get into an extended plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Bring one foot in so that your knee is bent underneath your hips. Alternate the position of your feet, switching as soon as the foot underneath your hips.

Wall sits
Place your back against a wall and position your feet shoulder-width apart, approximately two feet from the wall. Bend your knees, so your thighs are parallel to the ground. Do not let your knees extend over your toes. Hold this position for the duration of the exercise.

Pushups
Get into an extended plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Lower your body as close to the ground as possible by bending your elbows to a 90-degree angle. Do not allow your chest to rest on the floor. Raise back up to the starting position. To modify, drop down from your toes to your knees, tuck your butt in and do your push up from that position. Do not arch your back or allow it to sink in. Stay parallel to the ground.

chair dips
Using a sturdy chair as your base, sit on the edge of the chair and position the palms of your hands on the edge of the seat. Your fingers will extend over the edge. Your feet should be about two feet from the chair legs. Slide your butt off the chair, bending your elbows to a 90-degree angle. Lift yourself back up, but keep your butt off the chair seat the entire exercise.

Planks
Lay on the floor. Raise up onto your forearms and the tips of your toes. You can make fists with your hands or place the palms of your hands against the floor. Hold this position the entire exercise.

Hey, you will be sweaty and tired from exertion, but also ready to tackle everything to come in the day ahead. Commit to doing this workout three days a week, and soon your body will show you its appreciation.