Did you know that people who keep up their health are more likely to manage their finances better? Let’s all be for real here for a moment. Not all of us can continually pay for a gym membership when we DON’T EVEN GO. Don’t lie to me, you can’t hide … I already know that over 67% of you with a gym membership don’t even use it (true fact that you can find here.) You’re going to keep making excuses about how you don’t have the time when we all know you just don’t have any motivation. What excuses are you going to give me when I give you THE BEST home workouts with no gym necessary??
Not all of you may have gym memberships. I don’t have a gym membership because honestly, I just don’t like going. Yes, I’m self-conscious about how awkward I look on the machines. I can’t stand thinking that people are watching while my whole body jiggles on the treadmill (all the while gasping because you’re just trying to keep up with the super fit person next to you.) No, I find comfort in my own home. As someone who sporadically likes to work out – and also someone who is obsessed with saving money – I’ve tried more than a few “get fit” on the cheap alternatives. All the way from yoga to HIIT workouts, and everything in between. I’ve got your soon to be smaller butt covered!
Beginners
There was a time when I seriously let myself go in the exercise department. (It happens at least once or twenty-seven times in our life.) I was super out of shape where even doing 10 squats made my thighs start shaking. I just wanted to start somewhere that was easy. To be real, I needed something that I COULD ACTUALLY DO and not feel horrible about how weak my body is and give up in two days.
Luckily, I found one of my favorite simple, easy programs ever …. Blogilates. Yes, it includes pilates. But also HIIT workouts, target specific workouts, beginner workouts <———-(exactly what I was looking for!!) You can find her on YouTube (link to her channel.) Or, you can download the app.
Because of the lazy state of mind I was in I needed something that was going to hold me to it. I didn’t have a workout buddy so I needed that little extra motivation to actually go through with it. So, I downloaded the app and bought a membership. Which, by the way, was only 0.99 cents!! Could you imagine how fast I hit that buy button when I found out that not only do you get a SPECIFIC workout video every day that you have to check off (yes, I am more motivated when I have to check things off the list …) Plus, she even includes healthy recipes of stuff that I would actually eat. Win, win for me!
Every month is completely reconfigured with new exercises and literally is only .99 cents. This is what seriously got me going and got me feeling just a wee bit better about myself. I was able to start as a beginner then work up to more advanced. Plus her workout videos aren’t very long. I like to keep things short and sweet so I literally couldn’t have asked for anything better.
The next beginner app that I just recently fell in love with is the Nike+ Training app. They have beginner, intermediate and advanced workouts. (I’ll talk more about this in the intermediate section.)
Intermediate
As I started to get in better shape I needed something that would push me more. Magically, one of the blogs I follow, Six Sisters Stuff, came out with some home workout programs that I think are THE bomb diggity. I got the 30 for 30 Workout Series and also the 30 Days of Healthy Eating. (You can find those here.) This is where I started gaining a lot more muscle and strength to help tone down. Plus, the workouts are only $15 and the meal plan is $10.
I did, however, invest in these 5 lb Dumbbells (affiliate). There are some workouts that have them and even just using 5 lb dumbbells can seriously make a difference.
These workouts are some of my favorites and I still continually use them. I either follow them in order or if I’m feeling particularly crappy about some part of my body then I do those target specific workouts. They do also have a beginner program and different menu plans as well.
I told you above that I’d let you know about the Nike+ Training app. I’ve heard about it, seen it in the app store, but never really considered using it because I always assumed you had to pay for the workouts. You know all about those “free trial” things then they end up charging you even if you do cancel after the free trial. I then found out you just downloaded the workouts and it was all free. I know that was a rather long few sentences and I really could have shortened it …. But, anyways the app is free and it’s super super cool and my absolute new favorite.
When you first sign up it will ask you a few questions about your fitness level and pair some workouts based on what you answered. My favorite feature is their workout plans that they have. They base the workouts on specifics to you, like how many days a week you want to work out and how long. I’ve just started the 4 week workout plan that includes 14 workouts. All you do is download the workouts and press start. Literally couldn’t be any easier. (And it’s still totally free – win, win in my book!)
Advanced
I’m not quite in the advanced stages yet, but I used to be. Advanced home workouts are going to be your P90X and Insanity. Because we all like to save a couple bucks I’ve found some cheaper alternatives.
Some of the advanced home workouts I’ve seen that seem to be really good are Chalene Johnson’s PiYo workouts. They are a little bit on the cheaper end but still a prettier penny than I like to spend.
That’s why my next alternative is Jillian Michaels. She’s the trainer off of the Biggest Loser and has lots of videos up on YouTube for you to try to keep up to. Sometimes, free is better than nothing. You can find her videos on YouTube here.
How to Stay Motivated While Working out at Home
The excuse that everyone has is time, the real reason is motivation. How do you even get motivated enough to actually follow through and work out at home (or even at all)?
Stick to a routine. Every day at 1 in the afternoon I either go walking/running on the treadmill for an hour or I walk for half an hour and do a workout for another half hour. Find a SPECIFIC time of the day that you know you can work out and DO IT. Whether you have to wake up at 5 in the morning just to get a workout in or wait until the kids are asleep for the night, make sure you stay consistent every day.
Set a workout calendar or, download one of the apps that have a set workout plan for you. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is true with literally anything in life, especially fitness. Print out a calendar and plan out what your workout is going to be every day. If you want to walk every single day then walk. If you want to work on arms for a whole week then do those push ups. Having a physical copy of what you’re going to do will not only remind you to do it, but also give you that motivation to check it off.
Noteworthy Home Workout Pinterest Finds
In my diligent searching to find you the best at-home workouts I came across a few notable ones from Pinterest. Just click on the image and get your fit on!
Single Most Important Aspect to Losing Weight/Staying in Shape
You can workout all the day long. But, if you eat junk food all day nothing will ever change. Remember that staying fit and losing weight all starts with what you put in your body, not what you make your body do. Starting a meal plan to keep on track with your eating is the key to weight loss success. Be aware of what you put in your body. You may even find that you can save money by eating healthier and not buying so much junk food.
What are your favorite at-home workout tips?
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