Elbows to Knees: This is a good exercise for the upper- and lower-abdominal muscles, and it will help your back as well. Lie on your back. Clasp your hands behind your neck, elbows forward. Bend your knees, then lift them up and toward your chest, holding them over your belly. Your legs should be high in the air, with your toes pointing upward.

Raise your head and shoulders off the ground so that your elbows touch your knees. Lower your head and shoulders back to the ground, and repeat. Start by doing as many as you can, adding a few more every day. Your initial goal is 20 “elbows to knees,” twice a day. Keep adding repetitions until you can easily do 100 without stopping.

It’s a good idea to set goals for yourself as you progress through your exercise program. For example, decide that you’re going to do 40 shoulder lifts today. If for any reason you can’t do more than 20, well, do your 20, take a break and do the rest. That way, you have the pleasure of achieving your goal, even if you had to split the 40 in half.

By the way, one my favorite approaches is to lie in front of the television set and watch the news as I ride my imaginary bicycle, do my shoulder lifts and elbows to knees. Or you can listen to music if you like.

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