Hopefully you’re reflecting on an incredible Christmas and now looking forward to a healthy – and more stable – 2023

If you’re anything like us here at Birmingham Living Towers, you’re possibly looking back at a festive season packed with merriment with a squishy waistline to prove it. Have no fear, reclaimed fitness is within sight, but how do you make sure you stay committed to becoming your best self?

Often, the problem with setting up an exercise regime is that we make it so bloomin’ complicated and too time-consuming – and therefore quickly demotivating. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It is totally possible to improve your fitness in a fun and fuss-free way. So here are some quick tips to kick-start your day and keep you on the straight and narrow.

WARM UP: Make sure to get your heart rate pumping and get your muscles warm or you’re just asking for injury. A few minutes of gentle stretching will make a world of difference.

JUMPING JACKS: A great way to ease yourself in gently, taking your body from asleep to awake. Make sure you clap at the top and slap your thighs at the bottom to ensure a full range of motion. Try and do 50.

T-ROTATIONS: While in the press-up position, reach under your body as far as you can then up to the sky looking at the hand at the top. This warms up the shoulder, engages the core and stretches the chest. Do 40 (20 per arm).

SPRINTERS: Staying in the press-up position, bring one knee to the opposite elbow then change, building up the pace to a ‘sprint’, twisting at your hips and doing your best to touch each elbow. Go for 30 (both knees equals one rep).

PRESS-UPS: Keep your core engaged the whole time, make sure your hands are not in front of the shoulders. Aim for full range of motion, your chest touching the floor and arms fully extended at the top. See if you can do 20.

BURPEES: Bring your knees to your elbows and bum to your heels before driving up to the sky. Straightening your body in the air, as soon as your feet touch the ground, allow gravity to pull your bum back to your heels then shoot your feet back out engaging your core while landing in a strong press-up position. Go for 10.

KEEP IT GOING: It’s important to complete all exercises in quick succession to start your day right. If you do this programme three-times-a-week for four weeks, by the end of January you will really start to feel and see the real benefits. Try timing how long it takes to complete so you can measure your progress.

And then look forward to next year’s festivities….