My New Gym: The Living Room
by Lena Vogelgesang
Jan 14, 2019
Recently I was forced to find a new gym, but what I found surprised even me!
I had a gym membership for over three years. I thrived at the gym. This past December, due to my husband being laid off his job and some medical hurdles during the year, we sadly had to let it go.
It was tough.
After reaching out to some moms who were in similar situations, we agreed to start an exercise-at-home pact. We would do living room work outs and hold each other accountable every day.
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I am now five weeks into my new home gym 'membership' and I have been humbled at the quality of workouts that can be done in the comfort of my own living room.
I admit, I was a little skeptical that I would get a good cardio work out on my plush white carpet, or tone my arms and legs using simple free weights, but I've been pleasantly surprised.
Find Free Workout Videos
You don't need to drop hundreds of dollars on workout DVD's to get a good workout program.
My friends and I started with Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred on YouTube. There are hundreds of work-outs that are only a half an hour and produce great results. I am amazed at how the basic jumping jack can still bring my heart rate up and make me sweat. No spin bike needed here.
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A helpful hint: preview the workout on the internet so there are no surprises on what you will be required to do. This will make the most of your time when you are actually doing it.
Set a Workout Schedule and Stick To It
One of the hurdles I faced during the first two weeks was the thought of "I can do this anytime since I am just doing this at home."
NOT TRUE!
If you don't schedule your workout, you will not do it. There are thousands of excuses lurking behind piles of laundry, bills to write, dinners to make, etc. My workout time is before my kids wake up. I get it done and out of the way, and feel so much better afterwards.
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Don't Workout Alone
Find two or three other moms who will workout with you and hold each other accountable. My friends and I text each other a picture of our sweaty, tired, red, post-workout faces as proof of our pain! It is encouraging to be told "well done". And, of course, there is a competitive one in our midst so it keeps things lively. When you have your group, set up your own reward system and accountability guidelines.
I have been pleasantly surprised that working out from home can be as rewarding as it has been. I am looking forward to taking this next year and discovering all that my "Home Gym" can do for me and my fitness goals.
Have you tried working out at home? What has been your favorite way to stay on track?
Lena Vogelgesang
Lena likes to define herself by the Seven C’s: Christ, Chris, Children, Comrades, Coffee, Cheese, & Cardio. Due to her love of coffee and cheese, she must also have a relationship with increasing her heart rate. The Lord has given her a wonderful husband in Chris and they have two young boys.
