Hi all,
Happy Friday!!!! I’m happy to say I made it through the week without any major catastrophes, lol! I ate cake on my husband’s birthday (the cake made the Foodbuzz Top 9 today, by the way!), and “welcomed” Aunt Flow (blech), without straying from my plan of eating well and getting to the gym.
I weighed in today at 216.6, which is still 2.3 pounds up from my lowest weight so far, but 2.2 pounds down from were I was on Sunday, so I’ll take it.
If you missed my giveaway announcement yesterday, you can find it here – if you ever wanted to read some Jillian Michaels, here’s your chance to do it on my dime, ha hah!
I’ve decided at the end of the year I’m going to cancel my gym membership. Don’t scream!! I’m not giving up on exercise, just the expense of the gym and the stress of trying to get there after my husband gets off of work.
Instead, I’m going to get the Wii Fit and use that, a kettlebell and cardio videos to work out at home. My husband has agreed to make sure the kids are occupied when he gets home from work so I can have an hour to myself.
While in an ideal world the gym is a great thing to have, we are trying to save some cash, and honestly – I HATE leaving the house at 7PM to go to the gym while the rest of my family is eating dinner. If I workout at home, I’m home – I can eat dinner at a normal hour, and be here to get my kids in bed.
What do you guys think? Am I making a huge mistake? Anyone have tips for me to make the most of my home workouts?
I believe you're thinking right. Being able to conveniently exercise means you'll do it more often. Good work on the calorie control. I'm cheering you on!
Secretia
Great post! If you think working out at home is your best option then DO IT. You've got to keep yourself motivated and happy and doing what works for you is key. When I first got into working out, I did it at home. I liked being able to go at my own pace and loved the fact that it was open 24 hours. Also, you really can't beat the commute. ;) I had a lot of success working out at home. As long as you put in the time and effort, you will see results — no matter where you are.
I think you have to do what is best for you. Personally, I'm not a fan of workout DVDs. Of course, I also don't do any of the fitness classes at the gym. I'm a weight person and I enjoy that type of exercise, therefore I wouldn't give up my gym membership. I also use the cardio machines.
I've heard good things about the various Wii workouts, but again I can't say that I would do them on the regular. Not sure if I want to invest that type of money in something that will catch dust in time.
Is only a mistake if you don't do what you say you are going to do.
I understand about wanting to be home to eat with family. I definitely understand not wanting to spend money on the gym. Give yourself a chance, if you find you aren't doing it then go back to the gym.
Is there a video store that rents the Wii Fit? Maybe you could rent it to try it out first. My son has a Wii so I know that they are not cheap.
That said, I think you can get a great workout at home. When I was a new parent and had 50 lbs. to lose, we did exactly what you are planning. My husband watched the baby while I worked out in the family room. It is a great opportunity for one-on-one time with Dad too. Everyone wins.
Best of luck!
I think it's a great plan, Jenn. Overall, you have to do what works for you and fits with your lifestyle.
The Wii Fit is a lot of fun and a suprisingly good workout (especially the boxing)!
I think you're making the right choice. I know that I'd never make it to the gym, but with my treadmill at home, handweights, and balance ball I'm good to go without having all the hoopla of having to herd kids/ leave house, etc.
You rock, Jenn :D
I did the same thing! I invested in a Wii fit and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE it! It really is tons of fun and you get a pretty good work out too! I've lost 16 lbs since I started using that bad boy some 8 weeks ago! Awesome invention! Great investment!
I think doing it at home helps you jump in more often. Either way, I know you will make the most of it. :)
Hi Jenn,
These ladies have already made great points. The gym is definitely helpful when you can go at a convenient time, but if you dread going and leaving your family then that won't really help motivate you now would it???
I've many great things about the products you will be using to help with your exercise, so I hope you are successful with it. Don't wait til you've already canceled your membership to do your dvd's. Do it tonight!
Aw, you hubs sounds like such a swell guy. :)
I really like Jillian Michaels Shred DVD, have you tried that? I'd be curious to hear what u think.
Glad your weigh in is going in the right direction dahling. Chrissy
I don't have a gym membership & my family is the main reason.
My kids are 6 & 2. One is too old for kiddie care so taking them along is out.
Going after dinner means not seeing my husband for very long each day. That would suck.
Going super early in the morning…well dh gets up at 6am for work & the kids are usually up by no later than 6:30. I guess I could get up & be at the gym by 5am so I could be home by 6am but honestly…I just not that kind of morning person.
So, I work out at home.
I do strength stuff during the day because I can work it around the kids. They play in the same room I'm working out in – I just take one corner & they take up the rest. It took a few weeks before the 2 y/o learned not to climb on me while I'm working out (well, he does it much less anyway lol) but it is working out pretty well.
Cardio I have been doing in the evenings after the kids are in bed. If I ride the bike then it is usually while dh is i the room & we'll watch TV together.
If I'm doing a DVD then he is usually downstairs either working or goofing around on the computer.
Since I only workout for 60 minutes tops, it isn't too bad. I hop in the shower & then we have another hour & half to spend together. (kids go to bed by 8pm at the latest & we usually go to bed at 10:30).
You'll find a way to make it work – you'll just have to experiment a little at first. :)
Best wishes & congrats on the loss!
Lynn
As a mom and wife myself, I find that working out at home is harder than going out to the gym. At home, I'm always finding excuses NOT to workout. I need to do the dishes or the living room's a mess or I gotta vacuum or I should probably do a load of laundry or etc. etc. etc. Something personal is always going on at home and I have a 2 year old who's always wanting to know where Mommy is.
You know yourself best. Perhaps the treat of getting to eat with your family and knowing that at the end of your workouts you'll get to tuck in your kids will help motivate you to do the videos/wii fit.
Maybe you can do a trial week of what it would be like without the gym and see if it works for you and your family?
Good luck!
For me, I don't think you are making a mistake. I think it will be hard to work out at home because you have distractions – however, it takes way less time out of your day to just strap on your shoes and go for a jog, you know?
I don't cancel my membership because I need the childcare so I can focus and because I need alone time sometimes!! lol
I think doing videos is gonna be really hard if your'e in the middle of the living room, yknow? If you could set up a place and a tv in your garage or basement or something, that'd be great! Get a double jogger and take the kiddos out :)
I have worked out at home for the last 4 years and love it. I have a pretty full gym in my basement and love it, the money I saved on the gym and childcare took care of an elliptical, treadmill, bench and weights. Now it's mine I don't have to pay anything more for it ever. My kids know when I work out it's my time and are really good about it, I have (6,4,2 and babe) they can be trained to know the hour is yours….I also love the EA Active for the wii which again my kids know and do with me but know it's mommy's time. You can do it with help from the hubby! And just having your girls get use to you doing it!
Way to go on the weight loss this week! Sounds like you are back on track and re-focused! I think you are making a very smart decision regarding the gym. I hate gyms and think they are just a money grab. My saving grace through it all has been my jogging stroller and treadmill. Also I recently started doing Billy Blanks dvds. They're great! I can't wait to read about your at home workouts!
Sometimes life gets in the way (or should I say weigh?). I understand completely about the gym being an expense and that you are leaving home while the rest of your family is having dinner… I suggest you put find a private place to exercise, close the door and instruct your family not to bother you unless the house is on fire!
I know, first hand, how easy it is to slip into old habits. Don't sabotage all your hard work. Make your exercise plan and stick with it, girl!
Good luck!
I think you'll find that you enjoy exercise at home a lot better than at the gym. When I canceled my gym membership I ended up working out more than ever!
'Grats on the wicked weigh-in! I haven't gone to the gym yet during this journey so I am proof that it can work… just make sure that you stay dedicated to it; I think distractions are easier at home, so be on the lookout for that.
Congrats on the loss! (:
And don't feel bad about canceling gym member ship. Not a membership card will help you reach your goal… and your reasons are pretty obvious, I wouldn't like to leave the house with the family around, either.
I think you are doing the right thing. i have done the same thing. I cancelled my gym membership to save money and bought some beachbody products. I've lost 50lbs. since Feb. I absolutely love the workouts.
Personally, I hate the gym. :-) I know lots of people love it, but it was not the place for me. I have an elliptical trainer at home that I use pretty religiously (and DVDs that I use…sparingly) :-) and then I run outside. Those are the things I like and the things I will do (as a result of liking them), but there's no way that I'll go to the gym so I don't even try. I've found that the key to exercising is finding ways to make it fun. There's no way I'd keep doing it if it wasn't. :-)
Home workouts are what works for me. Rotate your routine and keep it interesting. Make sure to do both cardio and resistance training through out the week. And don't make excuses! Schedule your workout and do it daily. You should save money and time. Enjoy a year full of more dinners with your family!