Cheat Yourself Fit: Ten Easy Ways to Exercise Daily

The January burst of enthusiasm is waning and that direct debit for gym membership is looking less like an investment and more like a monthly dose of guilt. But ladies, all is not lost! With a few months still left to bikini season, these ten simple steps will help you make the most of what you have without spending the dark evenings sweating it out at a spinning class.

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1) Jumpstart You may not feel like it when you stumble out of bed in the wee hours but ten minutes of jumping jacks will wake you up, kick your metabolism into high gear and start the day as you mean to go by burning anything up to 90 calories. 2) Walk to work We know the Irish weather doesn't make it easy but skipping the bus and walking to work is a great way to get yourself fit. A brisk stroll will work the muscles in your calves, thighs and derierre, as well as making sure you're alert and ready for action by the time you reach the office! 3) Chair challenge While your job may necessitate spending hours at a desk, there are a few things you do to make those hours count. Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor for better posture and try this simple exercise. Contract your abs, lift your foot about six inches from the ground, hold for ten seconds and relax your abs as you lower your foot. Alternate your feet and repeat. Congrats, you've already worked out before even having lunch! If your work environment permits, swap your chair for a Swiss ball for even better results. 4) Swift squats Lunchtime is another great opportunity to work on those legs so make sure to put your time to good use. While you're waiting for your lunch to cook in the microwave, do some squats and firm up those thighs! 5) Working overtime By the end of the week, we all deserve a bit of a break but choosing the right hobbies can send you on the fast-track to giving Elle McPherson a run for her money. Thirty minutes of bowling, housework or playing guitar can burn almost 100 calories – who knew? 6) Dirty dancing Catching up with the girls for a gossip and a boogie can do wonders for our mental health but it can also boost your fitness levels. Two hours of shaking your thing on the dancefloor can burn up to 800 calories and if your routine includes getting down low, low, low to Flo Rida, then you're working those glutes as well. 7) Pay it forward It's always nice to do something for someone else, whether it's babysitting for a friend or carrying out your RAKnomination. Even though your motivation may be completely selfless, there's also body bonus for your good work as carrying an infant for an hour burns 230 calories, cleaning your elderly neighbour's gutters for 60 minutes gets rid of another 330 and helping someone move house burns up to 420 calories an hour! 8) Get busy This one definitely shouldn't take too much persuasion! Horizontal exercise is, in our humble opinion, the best kind so even if you've only got half an hour to spare a quickie can burn off up to 100 calories. Keep it as acrobatic and challenging as you can and you'll get the endorphins and brownie points for free. 9) Retail therapy Whether it is pounding the pavements in search of the perfect pair of jeans or leaving the car at home when doing the weekly shop, carrying those heavy bags counts as legitimate exercise! The weight of the bags will work your arm muscles and upping the tempo when you walk allows for a cardiovascular boost too. 10) Telly trials There is nothing more irritating than a long ad break during your favourite soap, right? Not anymore! Use these breaks as an opportunity to get your heart rate up and your metabolism pumping by jogging briskly on the spot until the show returns. Research has shown that short bursts of intense exercise are more effective than long, low-intensity sessions so you should see a definite improvement by the time you get to the end of that boxset.