Those 5 or 10 Minutes That Get You Back in Shape After Holiday Indulgence. Viral Fitness Challenges Take Over the Web

Raise your hand if you didn’t overindulge during Christmas lunches and dinners. The post-holiday “extra pounds” effect is right around the corner — and it’s booming online, with countless tutorials showing how to get back in shape through short, daily workouts.

If you don’t have the time (or motivation) to sign up for a gym and follow structured classes, you can try creating your own personal fitness plan. Sometimes just a few days are enough to reduce temporary bloating or shed the extra weight caused by seasonal overeating.

Let’s take a closer look at what these viral fitness challenges are all about. On YouTube, for instance, wellness influencer Chloe Ting — with over 22 million followers — has become a sensation. She launched a series of remise en forme video challenges that can be done at home or during short office breaks. There are 10-minute sequences to get back in shape, 12-minute exercises to lose excess weight, and 15-minute mini workouts to tone muscles, including arms.

If you’re not that social and prefer a classic printed guide, you can take inspiration from two best-selling books for fitness enthusiasts. The first is “The Sakuma Method,” created by Japanese celebrity trainer Kenichi Sakuma, designed to help you lose weight and reshape your silhouette in just 4 or 5 minutes a day — ideal for busy professionals or women with little time to devote to themselves. The second, also a cult hit, is “The Mizoguchi Method,” written by Japanese trainer and former ballerina Yoko Mizoguchi. In this case, the daily workout takes only 3 minutes, with 5 simple exercises of about 30 seconds each to strengthen glutes, shoulders, and ankles. According to its creator, these exercises not only benefit the body but also improve your “mood,” helping to relieve anxiety, stress, and insomnia when practiced regularly.

Also trending on YouTube is trainer Penny Barnshaw, known as Garage Fitness Girl, who demonstrates classic “squat” routines that can burn plenty of extra calories in just 10 minutes.

Of course, before starting any “do-it-yourself” fitness challenge, it’s always advisable to consult your doctor, as even simple exercises may not be suitable for everyone.

The key is moderation — balancing those extra holiday calories with a healthy, well-rounded diet. Avoid drastic fasting and instead focus on daily nutrition with the right intake of liquids, fruit, vegetables, and legume soups, which are rich in protein and perfect for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Another icon of the “5-Minute Remise en Forme Challenges” is Caroline Jordan, a favorite among women online for her targeted workouts on abs, shoulders, glutes, and legs. For the less active, easy sequences can even be done using a chair to reduce effort — a great option for seniors or those who are overweight.

Mini workouts for the feet are also becoming increasingly popular. According to the ancient art of reflexology, the feet hold the “map” of our overall physical and mental wellbeing. Jordan herself borrows techniques from classical ballet and Pilates to show how to improve ankle flexibility and awaken energy in the feet. These exercises are ideal in the morning — to start the day with more energy — or in the evening after work, to relax tired legs. In the latter case, it’s a good idea to finish with a self-massage of the arch and toes using an aromatic sweet almond oil.

Maria Serena Patriarca