Ad Break Exercises!

By: James Carter

Since the last time I wrote, I've hardly exercised at all. I've been overseas again which really mucks up my routine since I'm expected to eat & drink in the evenings and work all day, so there's no time for a gym session and I'm not about to go running in a city I don't know & that doesn't speak English! I do fit in a few swims in the hotel pool but I'm not a good swimmer & it doesn't really push me the same way a vigorous gym routine or long run does.

Anyway, all the time I've been away, I've been nursing a painful knee hoping the the rest would fix it so I could start running again. Eventually I went to the doctor & discovered I have pulled my cruciate ligament - nothing too serious but two weeks rest on anti-inflammatories to fix it.

To overcome the complete lack of exercise, my partner & I have done a few exercises in the evening in the ad breaks between watching TV. And it occurred to me that this is a valuable time to use for exercise, so I'll describe what we do. I'd be interested to hear if others have tried this & if so what routines they do.

First we started with some press-ups to warm up, my partner kneels but keeps a straight back, so it's easier on her back but the resistance is still sufficient for a good workout. Then we did some sit ups to work those flabby abs - she made me do 20 to the left then 20 to the right! My abs were burning by the end bexcause it's not an exercise I ever do, but I was pleased I could complete them.

Finally we did some hip lifts where we lie on our backs with legs together in the air & lift our bums off the ground using our ab muscles. Again, 20 of those and you're ready to sit down and watch some TV!

Now the challenge is to do this every night and begin to feel the difference! Let me know how you get on too...