Denise's Daily Dozen (36 page)

9. Jumping Jacks

These gems from junior-high gym class really work.

Tried and true; proven to blast fat.

  Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart and your hands on your hips. Squat down. Then jump your legs together (landing softly on your joints) and clap as you bring your legs together. Time: 1 minute.

 
CHALLENGE
: Cross your legs rather than just bringing them together.

10. Side Lunge

Get an enviable “tight tush” with this lunge. And zap away the fat.

  Stand with your feet together and your arms extended straight up toward the ceiling.

  Step your right leg out to the side, with your foot facing forward. Lunge down, putting most of your weight into that right leg and hands on your thigh. Push off the right leg, through your heel, and return to standing. Lunge to the left side with the left foot and then return to standing. Alternate side-to-side, maintaining good posture the whole time. Time: 1 minute.

 
CHALLENGE
: Before bringing your lunging leg back to a standing position, lift the leg out to the side, lunge down again, and then return to standing.

11. Standing Oblique with a Twist

Carve out that sexy waistline you’ve always wanted.

And keep your metabolism revved up.

  With your abs zipped in and back straight, stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart and your arms extended straight toward the ceiling.

  Simultaneously lift your right leg off the ground and bend your knee as you pull your left elbow toward it. Then extend your right arm straight toward the ceiling as you bring your left foot back to the ground. Make sure to pull your belly button in as you bring the elbow toward the knee. Time: 30 seconds. Switch legs and repeat.