Welcome to another Fitness Friday. I hope you’ve been getting some exercise!
I’ve been sticking with my healthy eating plan, and I am down another 3 lbs bringing my total to 18 lbs. I haven’t been using the protein shakes as much, and instead, have been eating a lot of wraps, eggs, and veggies. I haven’t been eating too many fruits, apart from bananas, so I still take a multi-vitamin. In my wraps, which are whole wheat, I either go with Turkey or Tuna and a little low-fat cheese. I also have been eating Wholly Guacamole snack packs with celery or carrots as a snack. It’s yummy, filling, and only 100 calories.
Now, back to fitness…
I wish I had the time and the money to go to ballet class every night, but I don’t. We also don’t have gym memberships, so I make the best out of what I can at home. When the weather is nice, I often take the twins for long walks, but I still need to get in some cardio and weights. That’s when I turn to my fitness DVD’s.
There are plenty of Online subscription exercise services, and there’s even an On Demand program for your streaming TV, but I prefer just going to my library or Half Price Books, and picking up a DVD. The library is a great way to test out which workouts you like without paying for them. Once you find one you like, then you can purchase it.
Here are some other tips for working out in your home.
1. Find the right space
Quiet, cool, and free from distraction is the best spot you can find. You also need to make sure you have enough room to move around without bumping into your couch or lamp. I often workout in our basement because it’s cooler and I have plenty of room. Also, my kids aren’t there jumping on me.
2. Get prepared before you start
Getting into my workout clothes, grabbing my water bottle, and doing some stretches all get me in the mindset to workout. Also, make sure you have your weights or mat handy, if your DVD requires it.
3. Find the Type of workout you like
I personally don’t like all high impact cardio workouts, so I look for DVD’s with words like “Boot Camp” or “Interval Training” or even “Low Impact.” You can still get a great workout without bouncing all the time, which is bad for my knees and back. Of course, if jumping and running is your thing, go for it!
4. Find the personality that fits you
Many instructors on workout DVDs have very distinct personalities. I find some really annoying, but I find others really inspiring. You have to find a couple of instructors that work for you. You don’t want to be irritated the whole time or you won’t want to workout at home again.
5. Mix it up
I do different DVDs all the time. If I find one I really like, I will keep it in the rotation, but I rarely do the same DVD two days in a row. It helps keep the workout interesting, and it also keeps different muscles working.
Here are some of my favorite DVDs. If you would like to purchase any through my affiliate links below, that would be awesome. I’ll get a little something so I can purchase some new ones!
I’m not a fan of workout DVD’s but I like to run. That’s pretty much the only exercice I do but it’s better than nothing! It’s so nice that you fond a way to work out from home. Go you!
Thanks Emily!
I haven’t tried workout DVDs, but I have done yoga DVDs. They are very effective! Also, here’s a tip: try to cut out as many carbs as possible. Throw the whole wheat away and put the wrap contents in a bowl with some lettuce instead. Once you eliminate the carbs, the pounds will practically fall off! It’s also good that you’re not eating to many fruits, because fruits are FILLED with sugar that ends up turning into fat. Thanks for the post!
Awesome! Thanks for the tip!
I love workout DVDs and enjoyed reading this post! My favorites are any of the yoga DVDs by Gaiam (esp. Rodney Yee instructed) and Leslie Sansone’s walking workouts.
Nice. I’ll have to try those out too.
Pinned this for all my pinning friends who are fitness buffs!
Awesome! Thank you!
Still working on this whole findtimetoexerciseinmynonexistentfreetime thing. I have some DVD’s actually, and my favorite is TurboFire. It’s bootcampish HIIT training, but as not as vicious as some of the other ones. She’s kind of annoying, but wanting to punch her actually makes me work harder…. when I have time that is.
Congrats on the 18lb loss though – that is SO awesome I don’t even have words! You’re rocking it!
Thank you so much Trish!
I’ve tried workout DVDs but I can never stick with it! I appreciate your suggestions and maybe I’ll find a few that I can stick with! I do have a gym membership but with a 10-month old at home and a husband who travels for his job, I just can’t find the time to actually get to the gym!
That’s totally my problem too! At least I cut out the travel time working out at home 🙂
Where would I find Wholly Guacamole snack packs?? I have just started using DVD workouts (I was just running and do some periodic dumb bells, etc) and actually love them (no matter how loud or often I cus through them!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter.com
They have them at Target or the grocery store, but I found a huge package of them at Costco. 🙂
Getting the right personality is SO important. I’ve done some exercise DVDs and HATED the trainers. No thanks!
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
Ha! Exactly!
I have always been a workout DVD junkie. I agree with finding an instructor that matches your personality needs.
Yes! Thanks for stopping by!
I love Jillian Micheals, but got bored after a while. I really like Karina and Katrina, but I think overall I need something outside the house to do and just do those sometimes. However, trying to find time seems HARD! I feel like a treadmill would be great for me, but I also felt that way about my indoor bike 😉
I agree. I have one night that I get out to do ballet, but the rest has to be at home. Walking with the kids also breaks things up.
great advice! It took me three years to find out what kind work out “fits” me the best, and I am so happy to see and feel the improvements and the differences.
Thanks! I’m so glad you found something that works for you!
I’ve been trying a new fitness shake and it seems to be working. I’ve got to loose 15 pounds in the next two weeks before my big beach vacation. Fingers crossed !
Good luck…I think you can do it. I lost the most weight in the first couple weeks. Let me know how it goes, and if you end up liking the shake. 🙂
The only workout DVDs I have ever been able to do with any regularity are the ones by Jillian Michaels. I never quite made it through her 30 Day Shred as she intended me to, but I definitely increased my activity level! Glad to see that you’re finding some success with some of the stay at home workout options.
I recently tried and liked Dailyburn.com – so if the DVDs get stale, maybe try their subscription? It’s something like $9.99 a month so not too bad. 🙂
I like Leslie Sansone’s Kids Walk DVD, especially when I can persuade my kids to do it too!
I have tried some its matter of keep my attention I get bored easily. These workout video will give it a second look. I am also on this journey to loose weight. Good luck.
I live for workout DVDs at home. I’ve finally accepted that I will just never make it to the gym….but working out at home works! My son even does it with me!
Great tips! I have always done workout DVDs at home because I have limited mobility. My favorite DVDs are Leslie Sansone and Classical Stretch with Miranda Esmonde-White. I recently purchased a Chair Gym, and even though the infomercial makes it seem a little silly, it really does give you a good basic strength training workout. I think if you put your mind to it, you can get a really decent workout at home. Thanks for getting me psyched up about it again. 🙂
You’re welcome! And thanks for reading!
Love at home work out DVD’s! But I’m like you & definitely stay away from anything boot camp. I also tend to avoid any insanity ones, it’s too much. I want to enjoy my work out & not dread it! Great tips, thank you!
Yes! Thank you!
Great ideas! I like the apps that have interval training! If you want to try, I like SworkIT. (Not promo/spam, just like it) I also like Pop Pilates on YouTube.
Cool. Thanks for the suggestions…I’ll check them out! 🙂
I love working out at home! There are a lot of online workouts too, or even short and free videos on the workout station on Demand. Great list!
Thank you!
Workout DVDs are always hit or miss for me. I love my Jillian Michaels ones but the yoga ones I have are so lame!
Yeah, it’s hard to find a good Yoga one. Have you tried Bob Harper’s? Yoga for the Warrior is pretty good.