BETWEEN doing the school run, cleaning the kitchen and hanging out the washing, it might seem like there is no time for exercise.
Being time poor, coupled with the price of gym gear is enough to put anyone off.
It can be easy to envy celebrities who follow strict workout programmes with expensive equipment and personal trainers that come to their homes.
Not to mention diet – which is a key part of weight loss, and for most people, shedding pounds can't be achieved with exercise alone.
But, if you want to tone up and feel great in the process, one personal trainer has revealed how you can work out without spending a penny, using household items like cushions and towels.
Speaking to The Sun, pre and postnatal fitness trainer Lydia Rees said fitness should be accessible to everyone.
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Here Lydia goes through the four exercises that you can do at home.
Seated towel twist
The first exercise is a core exercise. Training this part of your body is important as it helps give you a good foundation.
Lydia, who is also the founder of Ashina Active said: "Russian twists help build a strong core by contracting your abdominal muscles to maintain the sit-up position, while activating your obliques as you rotate your mid section."
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Explaining how to do the exercise, Lydia said you should start in a seated position.
"Sit tall with a flat back, avoid collapsing your shoulders in towards your hips and rounding your lower back.
"Focus on twisting from your core and not your shoulders. You can keep your heels on the floor or you can raise them off the floor to challenge yourself."
"Keep your core engaged and keep the tension on the towel as your twist," Lydia added.
You should do 20 reps (ten on each side).
Book core exercise
For the next exercise, grab a book and lay on the floor.
Lydia said this move may take a little practice and can be built up over time – so don't get disheartened if you don't master it right away.
She explained that your thighs should be perpendicular to the ground and your shins should be parallel to the ground.
Next, ensure your core is engaged as you lower your legs down, keeping everything under control, (this can be challenging).
"Bring your legs close to the ground and then return.
"You really need to focus on keeping the book steady, so it doesn't fall off your shins.
"You also need to keep your back flat to the floor using your core, if you feel that you are loosing that position throughout the movement, then stop right there as that is your range of movement for now.
"Over time you will get stronger and you will be able to extend your legs lower," Lydia said.
Do this ten times.
Cushion sit ups
The third exercise involves a couch cushion or a pillow from your bed.
To do this move, Lydia said you should lie on your back with your legs straight and arms stretched out above your head, holding your cushion.
Slowly curl your upper back off the floor while extending your arms upwards, hold for a few seconds at the top and squeeze your stomach muscles before lowering back down to the start position.
Do this ten times.
Mountain climbers with socks
Next up is mountain climbers, this will only work if you have laminate or wooden flooring and wont work on carpet and it's best to wear socks so you can slide.
"This is a fun exercise, that will not only use your core but your legs get a workout too," Lydia said.
She explained that from a high plank position, engage your core and slide your right foot forward to bring your right knee to your chest.
"You should move at a quick, but controlled pace, keeping your core engaged, return to the starting position and bring your left foot forward to bring your left knee to your chest", she explained.
You should do this 20 times, ten on each leg.
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It's important to note that it's difficult to target fat loss, especially in problem areas such as the tummy.
But these exercises combined with a healthy diet could help you get rid of any extra fat you might be holding around your stomach area.
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