British behavior expert, Judi Jones, conducted a poll of 10 things that are killing passion in marriages. The number one passion slayer? Weight gain. It is difficult to have any sort of romantic ideas when you are out of breath. Not to mention how difficult it is to play with your children. Those 55 extra pounds you’ve put on take a nasty toll.
For the sake of play time with your wife and your children, it’s time to make some changes. Get off the couch with 9 Great Exercises for Men in 10 Minutes.
1. Traditional Sit-Ups.
Sit-ups are the quickest and cheapest way to work on strengthening your abdomen. This is the one area where most men struggle. Take care to perform them correctly and do as many repetitions as you can handle.
2. Push-Ups (not the kind you get from the ice cream truck).
Push-ups work the upper body and tone the chest and arms. Your better half will be quite impressed with your “guns” if you add this simple and free activity to your exercise program.
3. Pull-ups and Chin-ups.
Pull-ups and Chin-ups require a stable pull-up bar that you can find almost anywhere. They will both build arm and back strength, as well as gripping and pulling strength.
4. Body Weight Squats.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Then lower your body as low as you can. Push your hips back and get your thighs parallel to the floor. Be sure your knees don’t go out past your toes. Then slowly stand back up and repeat to your desire.
5. Put One Foot in Front of the Other.
Walking burns up to 500 calories per hour. Just open your front door and start walking. It’s pretty simple. Ten minutes of walking is better than none at all. For an even better workout, do a walk/run combo. Or just run. Run in place, up the stairs at work, down the street, or from the law. Just start somewhere.
6. Lunges – One Big Step for Mankind.
Lunges work all the major muscles of the lower body the same as squats. They also improve balance and flexibility. Take a big step forward and keep your spine in a neutral position. Bend your front knee to 90 degrees and drop the knee of your back leg towards the floor.
7. Big Result Bent-Over Rows.
This works all major muscles of the back as well as the biceps. To perform this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Then bend your knees and flex forward at the hips. Tilt your pelvis slightly forward, engage the abdominals, and extend your upper spine to add support. Hold dumbbells beneath the shoulders with hands shoulder width apart. Flex your elbows and lift both hands towards the sides of your body. Pause and then slowly lower hands to the starting position.
8. Mighty Dips.
Dips are one of the best exercises to develop your chest and triceps. Use the backs of two chairs facing away from each other. Just be sure they will support your weight and won’t fall over. Here are some instructions on doing dips.
9. Jump Rope.
Stretch first. Jumping rope gets your heartbeat up and greatly strengthens your thighs and calves. See if you can out duel your kids. It is guaranteed to be a laugh-fest!
If you make exercise part of your everyday life, you will live and certainly love much longer and romance your sweetheart like never before.
Huddle up and ask your wife tonight: “What do you think is the number one passion killer in our marriage?”