I’m already chuckling. Seriously, I am. This is one of my favorite, most comical (but effective) tools that I give to my clients. Every time I tell my clients about it, they get a surprised expression on their face and nervously laugh. I can only imagine the images going through their head when I tell them about it.
I’m sure more than one has thought, “Great. I have a crazy health and fitness coach!” But I always get the last laugh (in a good way!) on this one, because it is a nice trick to help you lose weight and get more fit!
Are you ready for it? Here it is: I want you to work out in the bathroom.
Don’t worry. We’re not talking about a full-blown, 30 minute, sweat-pouring, leg-quivering, arms out of control kind of workout. You won’t get funny stares from your co-workers as you walk out of the bathroom stall red-faced, huffing and puffing (because you won’t be). And there won’t be any funny noises coming from your stall, because you won’t need to grunt, scream, or holler from a monstrously heavy burden. There will be no SWAT team, police, security, or even your boss waiting outside the bathroom door, armed and ready for whatever strange events are happening inside.
So, relax. We’re talking about a selection of movements (you get to pick) that take just 45 seconds, at the max!
The overall premise is very simple: we don’t move enough each day, so we’re going to take advantage of our small, built-in, mandatory-for-life “bathroom breaks” to squeeze in a little more exercise every day. EVERY time we increase our activity, we get a brief increase in our metabolism, which means we are burning more calories.
Of course, more calories burned means more fat burned. More fat burned means a healthier body (assuming we’re talking about someone who needs to lose body fat). And a healthier body means a healthier, longer-lasting temple of the Holy Spirit!
Incidentally, because of the “strangeness” of the idea, I first tried this out on my mom. She literally called me less than 2 weeks later and said that her legs felt stronger, she could go up the stairs easier, and that getting into and out of dad’s farm truck was no longer a problem! (My mom is one of my greatest success stories)
Oh, yeah… we haven’t talked about it in depth, yet, but we recommend that you drink 1 gallon of water per day. Not only does it help your body run optimally, but it will also increase the frequency of your bathroom activity breaks!
So, once you’ve used the lavatory, just get your clothes situated and have at it! Here are 10 exercises that you can do to burn more calories throughout your day!
10-20 deep squats
10-20 pushups against the bathroom wall/stall. (Please don’t do them on the bathroom floor. I have to draw the line, somewhere.)
20 standing calf raises
20 seated calf raises. Perfect for when you have to… well, have a seat.
10 “air pushups”: Squeeze your muscles HARD as you do an imaginary pushup in the air.
10 “air pullups”: Squeeze your muscles HARD as you do an imaginary pullup in the air.
10 “air shoulder press”: Squeeze your muscles HARD as you push your arms and hands straight up in the air.
10 “air hamstring curls”: 1 leg at a time, squeeze your hamstrings hard and lift your heel to your glutes.
10 knee lifts: Do 10 knee lifts for each leg. Bring your knee up as high as you can and pull it into your chest.
10 glute squeezes: Stand up and lift one leg BACK behind you as far as you can, keeping it straight. Works the glutes very well!
Good news… there is one more awesome activity we can do in the bathroom: pray!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Let’s face it: we have natural, built-in “breaks” throughout the day. Take advantage of this great opportunity to improve and increase your metabolism, strength, and flexibility. Take advantage of this opportunity to spend time quietly in prayer with our Almighty Lord and Savior.
Who knew the bathroom was a perfect place to get Fit For Jesus!
God bless you today. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know your questions, how you will implement this information, and the results you achieve from it (both spiritual and physical)!
