Couch Potato Exercises

In actuality, not everyone can find the will power, dedication, and motivation to control what they eat and head to the gym when needed. Some of us lack that level of commitment, and this could mean undergoing some adverse effects on the health. On the other hand, there are individuals who actually suffer from a medical condition called sedentary lifestyle; it is more informally known as being a couch potato. In this condition, the individual either involves themselves in limited or sometimes no physical activity. To determine if someone is lazy about being active, you could look for signs of sitting at one place, watching television, reading (sitting at one place), and even sitting in front of the computer for a large part of the day. There isn't any physical activity going on during the day, and this can be a very serious issue.

But, but, but... just because being a couch potato is a medical condition, that doesn't mean you give yourself this excuse and escape from trying your hand at being healthy. I can personally say that it's not very easy for just about anyone to get up and start working out. There are legitimate reasons that can keep us from wanting a healthier lifestyle, but the point is, not to use them and bring the consequences onto ourselves. So instead of remaining a couch potato, why not try the exercises mentioned below and give "being healthy" a try.

Burn Calories During Commercials

For these individuals, his/her best friends are their couches, television sets (or any other means of entertainment), junk foods, and sugary drinks. For the exercises to work and take effect, you have to separate yourself from your best friends (at least for sometime during the day). Only then you can take control of your life and move forward.

Stretches

• Sit up on the couch or a chair and grab both ends of a towel with both hands.
• Keep your back straight and raise both hands, with the towel over your head.
• Now extend your left hand on one side, straightening the elbow while the right hand comes in closer to the head.
• When the left hand is completely extended, stop and feel the stretch.
• Breathe normally and count till 5. Release and come back to starting position.
• Follow the same steps on the other side. Do 5 reps on each side.

Twists

• Sit up straight on the couch or in chair and hold 2 bottles of water in both hands.
• Keep looking ahead, back straight, and extend both hands in front of you.
• Slightly bend your elbows and twist from your waist. Turn as far as you can, hold the position.
• Count till 5 and breathe normally. Release and come back to starting position.
• Repeat the steps on the other side. Do 5 reps on each side.

Sit-ups

• Place an exercise mat on the floor, get jump rope, and lie on your back.
• Hold the jump rope with both hands and place the rope underneath the soles of your feet.
• Bend your knees at 90 angle and slightly press your shoulder blades into the floor.
• Breathe in and pull your shoulder blades off the floor. Hold for a second, exhale, and go back to starting position.
• Keep holding the rope throughout the workout. Do 3 sets of 10 reps each.

Marching

• While watching television, there are bound be commercials.
• At every commercial, march in your living room and kitchen.
• As you march, lift your knees and bring them as close to your chest as possible.
• March like this for 1 minute and till the show begins, step from one to another, standing in one place.
• Do this at every commercial till the time you're watching television. You can also try doing jumping jacks.

Push-ups

• Kneel down on the floor and face the couch. Stay at least 2 feet away from the couch.
• Extend your legs from knees and cross them at the ankles. Keep your hands on the couch, shoulder width apart.
• Breathe in and slowly bend your arms from the elbows.
• Come closer to the couch and touch the couch with your chest.
• Hold this position for couple of seconds, exhale, and come back to starting position. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Leg Scissors

• Place an exercise mat on the floor and lie on your back.
• Keep your palms facing down underneath your butt and keep legs straight.
• Lift them up in the air and slightly bend the knees; feet should be flexed.
• Slowly, stretch your legs on either sides for as far as they can go.
• Hold this position, count till 5, release, and come back to starting position.
• Breathe normally throughout the workout. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Gradually, you can increase the intensity of your workout and try to go out more, for a brisk walk, whenever you feel like it. By challenging yourself each day, you will feel better about yourself and won't wish to confine yourself in your house at all times.

In this article, you learned what does being a couch potato mean and found which exercises can be performed easily. Also, you can read this article on couch potato syndrome to learn of this health condition in detail.