We’ve all been there. A relationship doesn’t end in a happily ever after, and instead goes down the yellow brick road. When we’re ready to say ‘I do’, our partner is saying ‘I don’t want to’. Are you suffering from a recent breakup? Here are the facts: according to the CDC, 3.4% of Americans are clinically depressed. Guess what reason accounts for nearly half of that number? Yep. Heartbreak. Heartache, which includes separation, divorce, or an unanticipated severing that you didn’t see coming. Here’s a thought: give your heart a workout and shake it up! After a good session at the gym, you’ll forget all of what – or rather who, made you feel low in the first place.
Forget tearing out his face in all of your old photos. Looking good is the best revenge! Here are some fantastic, adrenaline pumping ‘just-got-the-breakup-blues’ exercises to work your ab, back, leg, bicep and of course, heart muscles to the extreme!
Squat Thrusts
Squat thrusts won’t just help you burn calories; they’ll get your post-breakup stress out! Starting at a standing position, place your hands on the floor in front of you, so that your body is at an incline. Now, jump back into a standing position. Jump into an incline, and jump back into a standing position again. Repeat 5 times, 3 sets.
You can also add on to this exercise by doing squats. Squats are simple and highly effective! With your legs slightly apart, slowly come down with your heels until your legs are at a 90 degree angle. Come up slowly. Repeat.
Lunges
There’s nothing like working out your legs to get a pair of lean thighs that you always wanted while in that relationship but couldn’t quite ever achieve – but now can! Standing up, lean forward with your right leg (until its at a 90 degree angle) while your left knee touches down to the ground. Now do the other side: left leg “lunged” forward at a 90 degree angle with your right knee controlled and down to the ground. Repeat as many times as possible. After a few weeks of practicing lunges, you’ll have the sculpted abs, butt and legs that will make your ex want to cry out, “I want you back!”
Pushups
Remember G.I. Jane or Rambo? Be able to feel like a good girl (or guy) gone strong….way strong! Just by incorporating pushups into your daily routine, you’ll have finely tuned and toned shoulders, biceps, and ab muscles that you always dreamed of having. Now that you’re single again, you have the time to work it out!
A cardio workout doesn’t just make your heart feel good. It makes your heartache feel less painful. It takes the stress out of your day, and allows you to get mentally and physically stronger – just what you need to beat the breakup blues. Start each workout session by some light aerobic activity: walking on the treadmill, spending five minutes on the elliptical or jumping rope. After a couple of gym sessions, you think, “Breakup? What breakup?”
