After spending a week kicking your fall semester into submission, there’s probably nothing you want to do more than sit on your couch cuddled up with some Netflix and a plate of Christmas cookies.
In the spirit of winter break laziness, we at Valley know the struggle and are allowing you a week off from the bump and grind of campus life, but want to take a second to propose something for you to work on for the remaining two weeks of break – a challenge, if you will.
It’s about time to renew your 2014 New Years resolution of getting fit, but what if we told you that you don’t need the White Building trainers or Rec Hall weight room to start your fitness journey right this very second? With all that extra down time during our designated “lazy week” after finals, we took a quick (four, five, six hours… Who’s counting?) look at Pinterest to find the best – and most realistic! – two week fitness challenges for you to try this winter break. With that being said, let’s get to it!
1. The 14 Day Ab Challenge
Try to laugh without pain after the first few days of doing this 5-minute ab routine – you won’t be able to:
25 normal crunches
25 left side crunches
25 left knee touches
25 crunches, legs in tabletop position
25 right side crunches
25 right knee touches
25 crunches, legs flat on the ground
25-second plank-hold
25 leg-lift, butt-raise crunches (lay on your back, legs up it the air – kick your lower body upwards, almost like you’re trying to make footprints on the ceiling)
Do these moves one right after the other right before bed for two weeks and we guarantee Washboard Abs class will seem like a breeze come spring 2015.
2. 14 Day Clean Eating Challenge
Imagine coming back to school in January with twice the energy to take on sylly week. That’s how you’ll feel after giving this clean-eating challenge a spin!
The plan is similar to the paleo-diet in that it’s gluten-free and low-carb. You also won’t be eating any red meat while completing this two-week challenge. The prep for the challenge is super easy and all the shopping lists and recipes are listed for you to follow along, which is perfect for those days when you literally can’t imagine making real food.
Make sure you follow the meal-plan in order because some of the recipes require you to use left-overs from the previous day’s food. In total you’ll be eating somewhere between 1,300 to 1,600 calories a day, remembering to eat about every four hours.
What if you plan on going out to eat, you ask? There’s a cheat sheet for that, too.
3. 14 Day Bubble Butt Challenge
2014 was the year of the butt and with this workout plan that’s heavy on squats and low on time, you can help 2015 continue that booty-ful legacy:
Day 1: 20 Squats/5 Lunges/10 Burpees
Day 2: 25 Squats/10 Lunges/15 Burpees
Day 3: 30 Squats/15 Lunges/20 Burpees
Day 4: Rest Day
Day 5: 35 Squats/20 Lunges/25 Burpees
Day 6: 40 Squats/25 Lunges/30 Burpees
Day 7: 45 Squats/30 Lunges/35 Burpees
Day 8: Rest Day
Day 9: 50 Squats/35 Lunges/40 Burpees
Day 10: 55 Squats/40 Lunges/45 Burpees
Day 11: 60 Squats/45 Lunges/50 Burpees
Day 12: Rest Day
Day 13: 65 Squats/50 Lunges/55 Burpees
Day 14: 70 Squats/55 Lunges/60 Burpees
Burpees work your entire body and help get your heart-rate up, while squats and lunges are perfect for working on your balance and firming your buns and thighs. Plus, there are rest days included – what more could you ask for?
Winter break is intended to be a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, and what better way to rejuvenate for 2015 than turning those two weeks of down-time into two weeks of You-time? Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your fitness favor this holiday season
