By Charlotte Hilton Andersen, Prevention
From online streaming services to DVDs and YouTube, at-home workouts
have come a long way from the days of doing leg lifts with your mom's
VHS tapes.
Now that there's a program for everybody, it's time to
let go of the old myth that you have to be a gym rat to lose weight.
Want proof? These women share how they saved time and money by working
out at home and still got in the best shape ever.
"As a busy mom, the Beachbody programs have been a godsend. The 21 Day Fix Extreme by
Beachbody is my absolute favorite. I started with the original 21 Day
Fix in April 2014 and have worked up from there. I love that it's an
at-home workout (and eating plan)
because I can get the workout done in 30 minutes. These sweat sessions
include an upper-body workout, a lower-body workout, cardio exercises,
yoga, and Pilates.
[post_ads]"I used to find lots of excuses to avoid the gym—the drive, not
knowing how to use the machines, and classes that were at least an hour.
But with Beachbody I just change clothes, push play, and I'm done. I
can get on with my day. Since 2014, I've lost close to 40 pounds and 20
inches. I went from a size 14 to a comfortable size six. Even better, I
know I'm stronger than I've ever been. In the last race I ran, I came in
third in my age group!" —Kristen Morgan, Knoxville, TN
"I had my first baby at 35 and my third at 39, so the struggle to get
back in shape was real. Before I was married with kids I enjoyed going
to the gym, but afterward, I needed to find something that helped me be
more consistent. That's when I found the P90X series, a workout DVD series featuring a bunch of different exercises targeting different muscles. For example, there's an abs workout, as well as one for legs and back, shoulders and arms, yoga, cardio, and stretching.
"I
started with seven or eight rounds of P90X, not to get ‘ripped’ but to
stay in shape. I have also tried and loved the expansion packs, P90X2 and P90X3.
I love that I can switch loads of laundry during a water break, not
worry about what kind of weather is outside, and work out while my kids
are home. The biggest changes I have seen are in my arms, back, legs,
and stomach.” —Wendy Brown, Boise, ID
"I make my own home workouts from YouTube videos, online articles, and magazines. Most of my moves include high-intensity interval training,
military exercises, and yoga. Working out at home is perfect for me
because I hated the feeling of having to 'perform' at the gym, and I
felt too intimidated to try new moves and equipment. Now I try new stuff
all the time.
[post_ads_2]
I had neck surgery years ago, and my workouts have helped
me regain my fitness and increase my endurance. I went from barely
being able to walk to doing a Tough Mudder race. I'm also so much
stronger—I can do pullups and handstand pushups now. I'm so proud of the
way my body looks and performs." —Betty Nordengren, Aurora, IL
"I found Cathe Friedrich on FitTV about seven years ago. I bought her Strong & Sweaty DVDs
and fell in love with her workouts. Cathe inspires me because she is in
her 50s, but is as fit as ever. Even though I'm a lot younger than her,
I still find her workouts to be amazing—and probably the most
challenging.
Her newer workouts are my current favorites because they
are short and intense, utilizing high-intensity interval training and
heavy weights. I lost my baby weight (I have three kids), and I've put
on 10 pounds of muscle. My kids love that I can do pullups at the
playground with them." —Sierra Schwartz, Buffalo, MN
"I've always hated running. I was the kid who
would get a doctor's note saying I had 'bad knees' to excuse me from
running in gym class. But then I heard about the program C25K (Couch to 5K)
that is geared specifically for non-runners. The program is eight
weeks, and you can do it all without a gym.
[post_ads]The first time I ran eight
minutes without stopping, I sobbed for joy. Soon enough I was running a
full 5K without a problem. That was huge for me! At that point I added TurboJam DVDs to my workout routine on days that I couldn't run outside. I also started tracking my nutrition using the My Fitness Pal app.
It helped me realize I actually wasn't eating enough calories! I upped
my calories and kept working out at home and I ended up losing 20
pounds. My clothes fit so much better now. The funniest part is that all
the running has actually helped strengthen my bad knees." —Mandy Powell, Mendon, UT
"I tried many home workouts but I always end up going back to ShaunT. Insanity Max30 is
my current favorite. At 30 minutes it feels like the perfect length and
it's a very well-rounded workout. It's crazy intense and easily the
hardest workout I've ever done! I did three, 60-day rounds of it last
year and lost some weight.
I'm down a clothing size and have been able
to maintain my weight loss.
I've also gained muscle. But perhaps my favorite benefit is that all
the interval training has really boosted my cardiovascular fitness. My
resting heart rate has dropped by 10 beats per minute!" —Katie Stumpf, Milledgeville, GA
[post_ads_2]
"I find I have so much more success when I work out at home. You
don't have to worry about what you're wearing, what your hair looks
like, or what anyone will think of you. It's also my only alone time
during the day. I do high-intensity interval training workouts from FitnessBlender.com.
For my strength-training workouts I use Body Pump from Les Mills on demand.
And sometimes I just make up my own lifting workouts based on things
I've read online and podcasts I listen to. After I started working out
at home, I also switched to a Paleo diet.
The changes have been slow, but I've lost more than 20 pounds and put
on some serious muscles. I can actually feel the muscle in my arms
now." —Ami Paulsen, Denver, CO
