How a Book Lover can keep their mind and body fit

These days, many people are cherishing their free time more than ever. They are using the majority of that time to cater to their mental and physical well-being. For some people that means choosing to spend their free time reading and relaxing, for others that could mean exercising and releasing. If you find yourself at a halt choosing what to do for your free time, how about doing both?

With mental fitness being just as important as physical fitness, throw on some workout leggings, grab your book of choice and combine the two. Reading is the perfect activity to engage your mind while getting a good workout in. To get you started, here are some exercises to do while reading.

Literature Leg Raises

Instead of trying to balance books on your head, what about on the bottom of your feet? These leg raises won’t only show off your balancing skills but will also help you work your abs and core. 

Here’s how:

1. Grab your book of choice to read and lie down on your back. 
2. Keep your legs straight up and lift them toward the ceiling. If you want to add a challenge, this is where you can add some books on the bottom of your feet to see if you can balance them. 
3. After you lift, slowly bring your legs back down to keep your core engaged. 

Wordy Wall Sit

This workout is not one for the weak as it will keep your mind strong and your quads, glutes, and calves stronger. 

Here’s how:

1. Stand with your back and legs against the wall.
2. Grab your book of choice and hold it with both hands in front of you. 
3. Once you’re in the proper position, slowly slide down the wall until you are in a seated position.
4. Hold this position for 1 minute or until you’ve read 1 to 2 pages. 

Side-Lying Leg Lifts 

While this is a nice break from the wall sits, this exercise will still work those hips, glutes, and abs. 

Here’s how:

1. Lie down on your right side, using your right arm as support for your head.
2. Place your book of choice at your side so that you can see it comfortably.
3. Lift your leg up and down.
4. Repeat this step 10 times or read 2 pages and then switch to the other leg. 

For more ways to keep your mind and body fit, check out the workouts included in the infographic below.