Yes, even when sitting down we can increase our metabolic rate. This will cause our bodies to burn up calories and feel good about ourselves. So here are some simple tips to ensure you get fit while lounging...

1. Breathing Techniques: As with all exercise, warming up is essential to a good workout. Sit up straight on the chair, feel your spine lengthen and place your feet firmly on the ground. Begin to breathe in and out in equal counts, lengthening the inhalation and exhalation times for a count at a time until you count to 10.
Expand your chest when inhaling and round your back when exhaling until you feel relaxed - just ensure you don't fall asleep!

2. Head to Shoulder Rotations: Move your head gently from side to side attempting to touch your shoulder with your ear. Repeat this 10 times on each side, then tilt your head back and forth once again for a count of 10.

3. Arms: The next section of this workout focuses on your arms. You will need two bottles of water or cans of diet cola to use as weights. Extend your arms down your side and hold the weights with your palms facing upwards. Bring the weights towards your shoulders 10 times. Repeat as many times as you can. Follow this exercise by extending the arms in front of you, palms up (still holding the weights) and bringing your hands to your shoulders. Repeat 10 times initially, and gradually increase according to your fitness level.

4. Shape Up Your Bum: Shaping your bum is easier than you think and you can do this anywhere! Simply clench and release your buttocks muscles in regular intervals. Hold the muscles for 5 counts and then release. Repeat 10 times.

5. Tummy Toning: Working on your abs will trim up your tummy, flatten it and help you work towards that waistline you've always wanted. Holding your stomach muscles in, reach out with your arms in front of you as if you were going to get up from the chair, keeping your back straight. Repeat this for 10 counts, and then repeat 10 times, at a 45% angle on either side.

6. Strong Thighs: This exercise is great if you want to tone up your legs and combat cellulite. Get up a few inches as if you were about to stand and then sit down again. Repeat in sections of 10, twice initially, but build up gradually as your resistance and fitness improves. When you finish, swing your legs from side to side 10 times sitting tall.

7. Final Relaxation: To finish, loosen up by first rotating your feet, then your wrists and finally your head in circular motions from left to right and vice versa. Stretch your arms to the ceiling and maintain this for a few seconds, then drop them down to release any tension build up. Close your eyes and listen to your breath, lengthening it one count at a time until you reach 10.

8. Open Your Eyes and Relax: Grab the can of diet cola, which you used as a weight, and crack it open. Take the remote and switch channels! Enjoy...

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