On why toned abs are impossible if you have a dog

Exercise no. 1: sit ups.

Lie down on floor, on back, with knees in air.

Enter dog.
Dog sees you on floor. 'What on earth are you doing down there?!'
Dog potters over, with a look of deep concern, presses its nose into your face and sniffs loudly.

Pull in stomach muscles and raise head and shoulders towards knees.

Dog looks disturbed, potters around in a circle, and places a worried paw on your arm.
You attempt to sit up but collapse in giggles.

Hold this position, drawing in abdominal muscles

With a deep sigh, dog slumps down beside you and leans its muzzle on your ribs.
More giggles, resulting in very sudden release of clenched abdominal muscles. Lie flat on back, panting.
Dog is disturbed, stands up, wags tail hopefully, looks worried, sniffs tail and potters around in a circle again.

Gently lower yourself back to lying down position.

Since you are already lying down, this is not easy.
Dog presses nose into your face again.
Jump to standing position and bend knees in fighting stance.

Dog - overexcited at the prospect of a playfight - pees on the carpet.

Throw in the towel and go to look for some kitchen roll.