IF YOU DO ONE THING TODAY... DO A BALLET PICK-UP

IF the extent of your heavy lifting over the past week was picking up yet another plate of Christmas leftovers, this move might be the perfect antidote.

Officially, it’s called a onelegged deadlift, but I think it looks a bit like a ballet move.

It works to strengthen the body’s posterior chain – all the muscles that run along the back of the body, including the buttocks.

It can also improve flexibility in the hamstrings, meaning touching your toes might

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become a bit easier. try it while lifting any object – your handbag, for instance – off the floor.

1. Place the object a few steps in front of you on the floor, then stand with your feet together pointing directly in front of you, keeping the shoulders back.

2. Soften the knees slightly and engage your abdominal muscles by breathing in deeply.

3. Gradually push the hips back and lean the chest forwards towards the floor. Let your right leg lift up from the floor and extend behind you.

4. Keeping your extended leg straight and shoulders back, extend both arms out in front of you and reach for the object on the floor.

5. Slowly lean back to a standing position,

bringing the feet together on the floor. Repeat with the other leg.