Lil'Fytness Fanatik's FitFix

Lil'Fytness Fanatik's FitFix of the Month

Forget about chocolates this Valentine's Day...try this little Fitfix and forego the sweet-tooth (and the "love handles"...hehehe):

Borrowed from my Cardio Kickbox routine for a quick 10 minute upper body workout that can give you sleek and shapely shoulders while getting your heart beating faster (who needs a "Sweetheart")

Pick up 2 light dumbbells - start with 3 to 5 lbs-use soup cans or pop cans or water bottles, if you don't have any (just remember not to open pop cans too soon after your workout..

Begin in a fight stance with your fists at your chin, feet shoulder width apart right foot about one shoe length in front, staying on the balls of your feet (no flat feet and stiff knees here!)

Execute a right jab by extending your right fist out in front of you at shoulder height, rotating your hand so that your palm faces down at the end of the movement. Do not lock your elbow. Bend your right knee slightly sure to pivot your right foot so that your heel arcs out and your knees and hips pivot slightly to the right (THIS SOUNDS COMPLICATED BUT FEELS NATURAL WHEN YOU ACTUALLY DO IT!).

Retract your fist back to your chin immediately, while returning your right foot to the starting position. Repeat 10-15 times.

Next, throw a left cross by pushing your left fist across your chest at shoulder height (imagine you are in the center of a room and push your left fist diagonally in the direction of the right corner of the room).As you are extending your left arm, bend and pivot your left knee inwards, arcing your left heel outwards. Be sure not to lock the elbow!

Retract your fist back to your chin immediately, while returning your left foot to the starting position. Repeat 10-15 times.

YOUR SHOULDERS SHOULD START TO BECOME FATIGUED AT THIS POINT - IF NOT, INCREASE YOUR WEIGHT BY 2-3 LBS.

Now, combine the two moves for the old one-two punch....jab right, and cross left, remembering to pivot! Keep those fists up! Repeat 10-15times - your shoulders should be on fire (IF NOT, LIKE I SAID, INCREASETHE WEIGHT - I AM USING 8 LBS AND IT'S TOUGH!!!)

Now move to the left, switching to a left jab and a right cross, pivoting the respective foot with each punch, and repeat the whole routine...10-15 jabs, 10-15 crosses, then 10-15 jab/cross combinations.

Be sure to keep your hands up to your chin in between jabs, and keep the punches at shoulder height. Also, remember to punch to an imaginary target (imagine a nasty "ex" that has ruined Valentine's for you perhaps?)

Keep your chin up, and BE STRONG!!