HOW TO START WORKING OUT AT HOME
It’s no secret that my entire fitness journey has been done at home. I started out in my little apartment utilizing the space between the coffee table and laundry machine. Like I said, the space was TINY. Regardless of the fact, I was still able to achieve what I set out to do and that was to become my healthiest self.
And you can do it too! You do not need a fancy gym membership to start living a healthier life. You can 1000% do it in the comfort of your own home! All you need to do is figure out the following:
KNOW YOUR WHY
Before going into your fitness journey, think about why. Why are you choosing to workout? Make it more than just about physical aesthetics. I’m not saying that you can’t have physical goals, but I know from experience that solely striving to achieve abs or a thigh gap will not allow you to be in it for the long haul. Give yourself a solid start and make it geared towards your overall health. When you do that you will be more willing to keep this new journey going.
FIND A PROGRAM YOU ENJOY
You can not stick to working out if you don’t like what you’re doing. It’s that simple. A part of starting your at home workout routine is finding a training style that you like doing. One in which you aren’t dreading and lucky for you, there are PLENTY of options to choose from. Whether it’s circuit training, weight training, yoga, pilates, running, or a combination of them all, be sure you can see yourself doing it for longer than just a week.
HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT YOU NEED READY
There is nothing worse than going into a workout and realizing you don’t have a certain piece of equipment. Now you have to think of something else to do or you just skip it and you miss out on getting the most out of the program. Spend some time going over the program you’ve selected ahead of time and see what you have or may need to get. Doing this will allow you to go into your session fully prepared and ready to crush your workout!
DESIGNATE A SPACE FOR YOUR WORKOUTS
Having a designated space in your home where you can do your workout is KEY! This space allows you to get into the zone and signals to your brain that it’s time to get after it! Plus, who wants to think about where they are going to workout everyday.
Also, having a designated space means that you have an area where you can store all of your fitness equipment. When you have everything you need in one spot, you are making it that much easier on yourself to get your workout done and when it’s easier, you are more likely to stick with it.
LIMIT YOUR DISTRACTIONS
Tv, pets, kids, significant other, social media….anything that can possibly break your concentration away from your workout should be left out of your exercise space. It’s just too easy to get swept up in it when you are just starting out. Now, I know it’s not always easy to do, especially with kids, but this is where a little bit of planning will help. See if your significant other can keep the kids occupied while you workout or find a time where you can be alone. Trust me, the less you have going on around you, the easier it will be to focus on getting the most out of your home workout.
BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
This one is MAJOR! Starting any type of fitness journey is hard. Go into it knowing that you aren’t going to be perfect and that the journey isn’t a straight line up. You will have ups and downs. You will have wins and failures. That’s just a part of it. When you learn to be patient with yourself, any time you do fall you'll be able to get right back up. Having patience is what will keep you from quitting.
Starting any type of fitness journey comes with their own set of challenges. But, if you are serious about making your at home practice work, consider implementing any of the above steps. I promise with a little bit of thought and creativity, they will help you make a lasting change.
