Over the last year, I’ve been working out from home (with the occasional workout at a CrossFit gym or my Challenge workout group in Austria). It’s been a journey that’s influenced not only my body but my mind, too.
The problem: my viewpoint of myself
My long-held belief was that I was not the athletic one. You want athletic? Grab my sister. She’s tall, willowy, and strong.
I’m the couch potato in this sister-ship.
But then, one day at Challenge (my once-a-week workout group that I only attended originally for the people), I looked around me, and I knew that, although I was never to be The Best in the room, that I could become the most improved. MVP. Why not? I could do that.
Begin the research. I read every article I could about fitness from bodybuilding.com and girlsgonestrong.com. As I researched, I discovered something that I’d never heard before. Why Weights Are Better Than Cardio For Fat Loss.
The problem: limited time for working out.
I considered myself a runner, but what I had been discovering was that my running route was too short anymore and I needed more of a challenge.
From what I was reading, it seemed like weight lifting was the answer, but I had another problem. With a tiny budget and limited time, I didn’t want to purchase gym equipment, a gym membership, or spend the time to get to a gym. Problem Central over here.
The problem: my budget didn’t include fitness
I did what any millennial would do. I took to the internet for more research. I needed a plan. The internet is swamped with online coaching options.
I bumped in to Kayla Itsines on Instagram, and I was shocked by her empire of #BBG. I wanted in. But the price was far from right. But this girl had perfected an encouraging online community and a great program.
Eventually, I opted for the more cost-efficient workout program created by Jen Ferruggia. 8 weeks of at-home, minimal equipment exercises for $30 (now it’s $39.95). I figured I could use it for 8 weeks and then use it again later. The best thing about this program was that I had a plan and it taught me how to build my own fitness circuits.
Fast forward a year, and I find myself more distracted by my baby bicep in the mirror than my makeup. My clothes fit differently, and my body perceptions has completely altered. What happened to me?!
The solution: I see my body as strong and capable rather than pudgy and weird.
The solution: Working out at home fits my schedule always.
The solution: Working out at home fits my budget.
I still workout from home. I’ve borrowed some weights from my brother, and I did purchase myself a 30lb kettlebell for Christmas (thanks, Amazon!). My equipment is still very minimal, but it’s enough for now. I plan on being strong for a long time, and I’ll slowly add to my equipment as I go.
And these days, I make up my own fitness plans. Well, with the help of Pinterest and other fitness bloggers (Lauren Gleisberg has some good weight exercises). I receive Kayla Itsines’ emails, and use her freebie workouts, too.
My main goal is have a solid sweat session 3-4 times a week. It’s doable, and the endorphins are worth it.
What keeps you going when you’re working out solo? Do you workout at home ever?
Leave a Reply