Get Fit Without Going to the Gym

Ugh, why do we need to work out? What really does it accomplish? Isn’t there supposed to be change happening? The older I get the less change I see. My husband is a major fitness guy, so trying to keep up with him is basically impossible. Seriously he goes to the gym daily! I can’t compete with that. I don’t even have that kind of time. The last few years I have jumped on his gym train and really enjoyed it for awhile. I worked out on average 3 to 4 times a week, give or take a kid getting sick or some other really good excuse (ahem).

Pre-workout for women has become a game-changer for me, yet I must admit, I’ve struggled to maintain a consistent gym routine. The results no longer seem to justify the hassle of dragging the kids there every week. A few years back, a little effort would yield significant changes, but as I’ve aged, it’s become tougher to see even minor improvements. Every time I find my rhythm, something disrupts it. Last September, a wrist injury sidelined me completely. Honestly, the motivation to hit the gym just isn’t there anymore.

Don’t Give up – Get Fit

If you are not naturally inclined (is there such a thing) to work out then you are probably a lot like me and you need to force yourself to do it. The thought of working out drains me and makes me want to crawl back into bed most of the time. I really loathe the thought of working out, more than the actual act of it. I haven’t always been this way because I used to be able to workout and get something out of it in return.

So I have completely quit going to the gym. For a couple months I did nothing, just ate a lot of chocolate I guess, cause I gained some poundage…eek! Those couple of months of inactivity just happened to fall on the highly dreaded dessert filled holiday months of November and December. (huge sigh)

Get Fit Without Going to the Gym

Digging deep to find motivation from each other is what we need to do. A good friend of mine and I have been motivating each other to workout lately. So for the past few weeks, I have really been getting back into it! But not in the gym. After taking a couple months off at the gym, my girls and I have entered into a really great school routine and seem to have a lot more time to get through our day and enjoy it more. We no longer have to get up and rush to the gym at 8 am, and we actually start school at a decent time.

So what do I do?

Well, before I started going to the gym a few years ago, I did home workouts. We had Comcast and the on-demand workout videos were great for a couple years, not sure if they still offer those. But I loved them. Then we switched to DirectTV and they didn’t really have a great selection of on-demand videos, so I had to find another way. Then I found YouTube! Whole new world folks! Wow, you can find every kind of workout on YouTube! I just made playlists and I did a couple videos a day.

Once you push yourself to do it for a few weeks in a row, you do actually start waking up ready to work out! Trust me, it does get easier if you stick with it. I am back to feeling better and eating healthier. Just all around a better quality of life.

Give Yourself Grace

Now that I am back at home working out it was easy for me to slide right back into that routine because I already have a lot of my favorite videos saved and ready to go. I also have the sworkit app that I have downloaded and I do that occasionally too. So come on join me! You can do it! If I can, you can! Just one day at a time! Start with just 10 minutes a day and work your way up to 20 or more. If you miss a day don’t worry about it. Give yourself grace and keep going.

Workout Without the Gym

• YouTube videos –  remember to add your favorites to a playlist.
• Bike, Run, jog, walk outside! Get your cardio on in the yard or around the block. Treadmills are great for an indoor run, which is especially useful when the elements make for a crappy outdoor session. But, in the summer I put my youngest in a stroller and the other two girls on bikes and we go for a run/bike ride. I run behind the stroller. I am not a runner, so I do a lot of… run a minute… walk a minute… crawl a minute… lol! Just do what you can do. Challenge yourself to make it to a certain point and then go a little further the next day.
• Apps on your phone – Sworkit, 7 Minute Workout, Daily Workout app, Map My Run, search specific apps like running, yoga, strength training. (They have a sworkit for kids too!)
• Google search or Pinterest search for workouts. Have you ever seen those Pinterest pictures that say 10 burpees, 20 jumping jacks, 30 crunches 3x a day. Search for these too! I have used a couple of these and don’t really mind them at all. I usually only do them once through, but hey its a start right!
• Workout with an Online Personal Trainer – An experienced and qualified PT will have no problem coaching you via Zoom or Facetime. They’ll be able to discuss what equipment you have available and give you a workout tailored specifically for you and your home!

Feeding Your Body Right

As moms, we often put our family’s needs before our own, but it’s essential to remember that taking care of ourselves is just as important. When it comes to getting fit without hitting the gym, a significant part of the equation is what we put into our bodies.

• Nourishing with Healthy Choices: We all know that maintaining a balanced diet is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. As busy moms, it can be challenging to make the right choices every day, but small changes can yield big results. 
• Protein Power: Protein is your body’s best friend when it comes to building and repairing muscles. Let’s ensure you’re getting the right amount of this muscle-friendly nutrient to aid in your fitness journey you can find great premium protein powder.
• Supplementing Smartly: Sometimes, we may need a little extra help, and that’s where supplements come into play. 

By focusing on feeding your body right through healthy choices, the power of protein, and smart supplementation, you’ll be taking another significant step toward reaching your fitness goals without ever stepping foot in a gym. And if you just don’t think you can do it on your own or you have decided to seek the support of a qualified personal trainer to support you with your fitness goals then they can support you with this if they hold an accredited nutrition qualification. It’s all part of our mom-approved fitness plan!

So there you go! Simple ways to get fit without going to the gym! You can do it!

Your turn — what are your best tips for getting fit at home?

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Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!