Exercise is fun and relaxing. Still, as hard as we try, it isn’t always easy to squeeze in a 5 mile run, relaxing swim, or hour long dance class every day. Today, Yoga guru, travel and fitness expert and entrepreneur Erica Gragg tells CS readers how to take advantage of ‘spare moments’ throughout the day- whether they be sitting at your desk waiting for a conference call to begin, standing by your car waiting for your children to come out of school, brushing your teeth in the morning or shopping with friends. Each provide an opportunity to boost your metabolism and sculpt your body!

Tips From Fitness Guru Erica Gragg

• Keep (2) one-liter water bottles on hand in your office at all times. While waiting for a conference call to begin, or even while listening to the conference call (if you can multi-task, that is!) use the water bottles as weights- some bicep curls, overhead presses, upright rows, triceps, kickbacks- 15 – 20 reps of each (or until muscle is fatigued) and you will be sculpting sexy arms in no time!

• Waiting for your children to come out of school provides a great opportunity to sculpt the legs and tone the tush. Using your car as a ‘wall’ stand with palms facing and touching the car window. Balance on the left leg, knee slightly bent. Flex the right foot, point toes to 2:00 and with control kick the leg back. Do 15 reps and then hold for 10 seconds. Switch legs. Do two reps against car window and then challenge your core by stepping away from the car and balancing while drawing a semi circle with your foot (imagine drawing a curved line from 12:00 to 6:00 and then back up to 12:00 again). Do this 8 times on each side. Always keep the standing leg slightly bent so as not to hyper extend.

• Brushing your teeth provides a great opportunity to tone the thighs, tush and core as well. Toothbrush in hand, find a wall you can lean up against. Then take a seat in an ‘imaginary’ chair. Make sure feet are hip width apart and that knees are over ankles. Do not cheat yourself by having hips higher than knees, instead lower hips until they are in line with your knees. Then just ‘sit’ and brush your teeth. Try doing this every time you brush your teeth. Trust me, you will feel it and see results, as well!

• When shopping with friends…walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator and then walk some more! Walking is a fun and effective way to burn calories throughout the day. Each step adds up, so whenever you have the opportunity, take advantage of it.

About Erica Gragg

Yoga guru, travel and fitness expert and entrepreneur Erica Gragg is one of the founders of Escape to Shape and offers guests the vast knowledge of her yoga expertise, cultural insight and intricate organization skills on each of the programs. Known for teaching a very powerful, yet playful “Vinyasa” flow, Erica’s practice is inspired by the subtle to the grand discoveries each individual makes through their practice. With classes set to music, from tribal, to lounge to classic rock songs, guests are able to find their own personal rhythm and expression through each asana. Erica was the co-creator of the acclaimed fitness program Bikini Boot Camp and is the author of Bikini Boot Camp – Two Weeks To Your Ultimate Beach Body. She has created time efficient and results driven workout and fitness tips for publications such as Health, Self, Shape, Fitness, The New York Post and Ladies Home Journal. Erica is now enjoying a new journey with Escape to Shape and is lured by the opportunity to travel and experience new cultures while pursuing her true passion, teaching. Erica strongly believes that each and every person can make a difference, even in the seemingly smallest of ways, and that life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, each and every breathe to the fullest.