Five-Minute Workout For The Easter Season

Many of us have already packed our holiday season with so much work and back-to-back
programmes we hardly have time to breathe. The little time we can squeeze out is used to stuff
ourselves with food and drinks, but for this season and beyond we may be able to spend
five-minutes even on extremely busy days to make a difference in our lives so that we can have time
to sing and dance and worship God as we remember his unparalleled sacrifice to us.

We all wish our favourite exercises will give us the same benefits as all other exercises but the
truth is that some exercises are “more equal than others” just as happens in every aspect of life.
This does not mean if you are unable to perform the most effective exercises, you should exert
yourself and cause injury to your body. Remember, Cobba’s First Law of Exercising is “DO NO
HARM”.

These exercises may just help you stay afloat this Christmas:
 Squats
 Plank
 Push-Ups
 Walking & Dancing

SQUATS

Every single rep (repetition) in this exercise is worth the effort.
Squats target the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals, which in simple language refers to the
thigh muscles and buttocks.
It is important to learn the right technique and since it exercises large muscle groups, you are
able to burn a lot of calories with squats.
In every exercise session, it is important to work large muscles before the smaller ones.

STEPS

1. Keep feet shoulder width apart
2. Back should be straight (standing posture)
3. Bend knees and lower your rear till your thighs are horizontal.
4. Return to the standing position
5. Repeat steps 1-4
6. Remember to stretch the muscles used after the exercise.

If you have difficulty following the steps above, place a chair behind you and with your back
straight try to sit on it. Do not let your buttocks touch the seat, then return to the standing
position and repeat. As your technique improves, you may remove the chair.
As one gets stronger you may even carry some weights while doing squats but as always start
with caution. You may do only 3 reps at a time (properly). Gradually add some more.

WHEN TO AVOID SQUATS
 Severe knee pain irrespective of cause
 Knee injury even if no longer painful ( you will need professional supervision)
 Acute back pain ( you will later do back slides which is similar to squats and helps
strengthen back muscles)
This exercise benefits almost everyone with a lifestyle disease. Hypertensives (those with high
blood pressure) even get a bonus since it causes peripheral pooling of blood and helps to lower
the blood pressure over time.

PLANK

Arguably the safest exercise for strengthening abdominal muscles and also has the added benefit
of strengthening lower back muscles. Especially for people who sit for long hours (you shouldn’t
anyway) this is great news for helping your back.

1. Start by getting into a push-up position
2. Bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms and not on your hands
3. Support your lower body on your toes
4. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankles just like a plank of wood
5. Engage your core (midsection) by sucking your belly button into your spine
6. Hold this position for the prescribed time. This may vary from 5 seconds to 1 minute.
   Repeat.

PUSH-UPS (PRESS-UPS)

This is probably the first exercise most people try out; well apart from laughter and walking I
presume and everyone is familiar with it.
Go ahead and squeeze a minute a day in there.

WALKING & DANCING

Before you set out to exercise your muscles remember to walk at least a minute before you start
and a minute after you are done.

You may even walk while in one place, what matters is moving your legs and arms and getting
your heart to pump.
Use every opportunity during the day to:
 use the stairs instead of the elevator
 walk while you talk on your cell phone
 Walk to a colleague’s desk at the office instead of using the phone or sending someone
else.
 Pick your own stuff for cooking instead of sitting and getting people to assist with even
the trivial errands
 Dance with your heart whenever you have a chance; during your Christmas programmes,
while watching TV and even while you take a shower.
A minute each for Squats, Planks and Push-ups and two minutes of walking every morning,
afternoon or evening may just be enough to get you through the holiday season and certainly it
will not tamper much with your tight holiday schedule.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND
REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood
pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness
nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The
Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “For heart health you need to relax and have fun as well; schedule time
for leisure, laugh often, learn to breathe deeply and maybe get a pet.”

References:
 The Gym Bible
 www.webmd.com
 30dayfitnesschallenges.com