Today I was told that "working out at home doesn't give you any results". I beg to differ! I began working out at home 6 years ago. I workout at home because I live in a very rural area and don't have access to a gym. Since I began working out, I've lost (and kept off!) 40 pounds and 18% body fat. So don't tell me home workouts don't yield results.
Let's talk about the differences in working out at home and working out at the gym. Remember, this is my blog so these are simply my opinions...with many truths thrown in. Here we go!
Working out at home - Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. No one cares what you look like when you are working out because no one sees you.
2. Your house is ALWAYS open so you can workout whenever you'd like to. And you don't even have to brush your teeth or comb your hair.
3. No drive time or traffic.
4. Cheaper than a gym. Example: $40/month membership x 12 months/year = $480. This is to walk in the door and use their equipment only. This doesn't include sessions with a personal trainer. 4 Beachbody 90 day programs: $480 (upper end programs). WAIT! That's the same amount of money. True....but you'll get nutrition plans with the programs AND you'll own them for life. So, say you do two rounds of each program, that covers TWO YEARS. WOW! It's 1/2 the price of two years at the gym.
5. Not everyone has a gym in their area but everyone lives somewhere.
Cons:
1. If you're a social butterfly and need to be around people, you might get lonely.
2. Takes willpower and dedication, which some people just don't have.
Working out at the Gym - Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Lots of equipment to choose from.
2. Hot bodies to ogle while you're there.
3. Variety of group fitness classes offered.
Cons:
1. The drive time it takes to get there. For the amount of time you spend in traffic, you could have your workout done at home.
2. Not everyone racks their weights and cleans off the equipment.
3. Wait time to use the machine/weights if occupied by someone else.
4. Did I mention $$$?
5. Closed on holidays, for maintenance, etc.
I know this by no means covers all pros and cons of both. I'm just throwing things out there to think about. I've seen amazing results of people who have exclusively worked out at home and those who've exclusively gone to the gym. It truly is a personal preference. But PLEASE don't make a lump sum statement about how people who workout at home don't get results. Like I tell people when we are choosing a fitness program for them, find what you like so you'll STICK WITH IT!
Feel free to throw some of your favorite pros and cons at me in the comment section below. And don't forget to follow me on Facebook at Get Up Get Movin (https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Get-Up-Get-Movin/311185528896644).
Your Fit and Frantic Mom,
Ann
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I just don't have time!
I just don't have time. There are not enough hours in the day. You're just not as busy as I am (oh, I love that one!). I need a clone. These are comments I hear all the time. Most of them are in regards to having time to workout. The main reason people don't have time to workout is because it's not important to them so they make excuses, not time. Not to toot my own horn, but I am a wife, a mother, owner of two businesses, a group fitness instructor, a basketball coach, and a host of other things. I get 24 hours a day, just like everyone else. What it boils down to is how you use those 24 hours.
Let me ask you this - Are you productive or are you just busy? BIG difference! If you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off, you are busy busy. If you are checking things off your to do list in an orderly fashion, you are productive. So...which one are you?
Here are some of my tips for being more productive, more fit and less frantic. Keep in mind I'm not an expert or a professional, just a real gal making it through life by getting things done.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAN!
1. Plan your day - hour by hour if you have to. Write down everything you need to do - even your workouts! I get up early to get my workout in and a few business items taken care of before the kids even wake up. See? Not taking anytime away from my kids. They don't even know what I'm doing. This is also my time to write out my to do list and mentally prepare for the day.
2. Plan your meals. Sit down and plan out your meals for 7 days, 14 days, whatever works around your shopping schedule. This will not only save you time, but money. Hitting the grocery store each day causes you to spend more money by buying unnecessary things just because they look tempting at the time. You should be eating 5-6 small meals per day. Plan these. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to eat, if you have to.
3. Plan your finances. Time needs to be budgeted as well as money. If you plan your finances you won't be spending extra time trying to figure out (and stress over!) how to pay bills...or even forgetting to pay a bill.
It truly is all about planning. As I heard Dave Ramsey say, "IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL". Kind of hits home, doesn't it?
Wishing you a fantastic and FIT week!
Your Fit and Frantic Mom,
Ann
Let me ask you this - Are you productive or are you just busy? BIG difference! If you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off, you are busy busy. If you are checking things off your to do list in an orderly fashion, you are productive. So...which one are you?
Here are some of my tips for being more productive, more fit and less frantic. Keep in mind I'm not an expert or a professional, just a real gal making it through life by getting things done.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAN!
1. Plan your day - hour by hour if you have to. Write down everything you need to do - even your workouts! I get up early to get my workout in and a few business items taken care of before the kids even wake up. See? Not taking anytime away from my kids. They don't even know what I'm doing. This is also my time to write out my to do list and mentally prepare for the day.
2. Plan your meals. Sit down and plan out your meals for 7 days, 14 days, whatever works around your shopping schedule. This will not only save you time, but money. Hitting the grocery store each day causes you to spend more money by buying unnecessary things just because they look tempting at the time. You should be eating 5-6 small meals per day. Plan these. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to eat, if you have to.
3. Plan your finances. Time needs to be budgeted as well as money. If you plan your finances you won't be spending extra time trying to figure out (and stress over!) how to pay bills...or even forgetting to pay a bill.
It truly is all about planning. As I heard Dave Ramsey say, "IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL". Kind of hits home, doesn't it?
Wishing you a fantastic and FIT week!
Your Fit and Frantic Mom,
Ann
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Eating - A Simple Concept!
OK, time to get serious. I've had the best intentions of blogging regularly and haven't done it for months. NO more procrastinating. So...today's topic is something I've been asked about alot lately. Eating. Seems simple and fairly straight forward, right? It's not for some people. Let me start by posting this small disclaimer: I am not a doctor or nutritionist. I am just a gal who wants to be healthy and fit. I'm still learning every day what to do and what not to do. I'm real...just like you. So, here's a few things to keep in mind about eating and eating right.
1. Eat 5-6 small meals a day. Oh, stop rolling your eyes. I'm not talking about chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy 5-6 times a day. I'm talking about a healthy breakfast, a healthy snack midmorning, a healthy lunch, healthy midafternoon snack and a healthy dinner/supper. Wow - notice the overusage of the word healthy? Subliminal thinking there. :) You should eat every 3 hours. Set a timer if you have to. Your body will thank you!
2. Do NOT skip meals. So many people think if they take in less calories they will lose weight. Oh, you will. For awhile. Then your body will turn on you and go into starvation mode. It'll store whatever you eat next as fat. Did you know that's a major way Sumo wrestlers gain weight? Yes, they eat alot but they also skip meals to help them gain weight. And who wants to look like a Sumo wrestler?? Stop skipping meals. Your body will thank you!
3. Cut out the crap. Yes, I said crap. When I mentioned healthy snacks earlier, that doesn't include soda and a candy bar. No matter what the Snickers commercial says, it won't satisfy you or your hunger. It's simply a marketing ploy. Really? Yes, really. Do not sit in front of the TV with a bag of chips or a carton of ice cream. Mindless eating. Stop it. Your body will thank you!
4. Set an example. If you have young children, or are regularly around young children, show them how it's done. Eat right and get moving. So many people say "My kids won't eat that." Really? Have you made it for them? I personally like the "You get what you get and don't throw a fit" mantra. Your children won't starve. If they are truly hungry they will try it...and most likely, they'll like it! Start with substituting things they'll never even notice. Ground turkey for hamburger. Fruit for junk food. (Tip on the fruit: clean it, cut it up and have it at eye level in the fridge. It's the first thing they'll see and I'm pretty sure they'll be interested.) Another note, YOU are buying the groceries...right? Then YOU are in control. You buy it, they eat it. Simple concept. Your body (and your kids!) will thank you!
5. Plan, plan, plan! Start off your eating right journey with planning it out. Make your dinner menu for a week at a time, or whatever matches your shopping trips. Do NOT go to the store every day. That gets expensive and is too tempting when you see the junk food. Google healthy recipes. "Like" healthy sites on Facebook. Everyone is busy. Ballgames, practices, work, etc but that's no excuse for not eating right. If you are going to go out of town for a ballgame, take a cooler. I've spent many Saturdays sitting in high school gyms eating out of a cooler. People may look at me funny (of course, they're so used to it by now!) but I don't care. I know I'm doing my best and what's best for my family. You can do it too. Plan ahead. Fail to plan, plan to fail. And btw, you'll save a fortune by not hitting the concession stand for atomic chili covered in nuclear cheese. Just sayin. Oh, and your body will thank you!
I'm sure I've rambled on long enough but wanted to point out a few things. If you have any questions, ASK! I'm always happy to talk about health and fitness and the chaos of it all while raising a family. Feel free to come over, check things out and like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Get-Up-Get-Movin/311185528896644.
Wishing you a FIT day!
Your Fit and Frantic Mom,
Ann
1. Eat 5-6 small meals a day. Oh, stop rolling your eyes. I'm not talking about chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy 5-6 times a day. I'm talking about a healthy breakfast, a healthy snack midmorning, a healthy lunch, healthy midafternoon snack and a healthy dinner/supper. Wow - notice the overusage of the word healthy? Subliminal thinking there. :) You should eat every 3 hours. Set a timer if you have to. Your body will thank you!
2. Do NOT skip meals. So many people think if they take in less calories they will lose weight. Oh, you will. For awhile. Then your body will turn on you and go into starvation mode. It'll store whatever you eat next as fat. Did you know that's a major way Sumo wrestlers gain weight? Yes, they eat alot but they also skip meals to help them gain weight. And who wants to look like a Sumo wrestler?? Stop skipping meals. Your body will thank you!
3. Cut out the crap. Yes, I said crap. When I mentioned healthy snacks earlier, that doesn't include soda and a candy bar. No matter what the Snickers commercial says, it won't satisfy you or your hunger. It's simply a marketing ploy. Really? Yes, really. Do not sit in front of the TV with a bag of chips or a carton of ice cream. Mindless eating. Stop it. Your body will thank you!
4. Set an example. If you have young children, or are regularly around young children, show them how it's done. Eat right and get moving. So many people say "My kids won't eat that." Really? Have you made it for them? I personally like the "You get what you get and don't throw a fit" mantra. Your children won't starve. If they are truly hungry they will try it...and most likely, they'll like it! Start with substituting things they'll never even notice. Ground turkey for hamburger. Fruit for junk food. (Tip on the fruit: clean it, cut it up and have it at eye level in the fridge. It's the first thing they'll see and I'm pretty sure they'll be interested.) Another note, YOU are buying the groceries...right? Then YOU are in control. You buy it, they eat it. Simple concept. Your body (and your kids!) will thank you!
5. Plan, plan, plan! Start off your eating right journey with planning it out. Make your dinner menu for a week at a time, or whatever matches your shopping trips. Do NOT go to the store every day. That gets expensive and is too tempting when you see the junk food. Google healthy recipes. "Like" healthy sites on Facebook. Everyone is busy. Ballgames, practices, work, etc but that's no excuse for not eating right. If you are going to go out of town for a ballgame, take a cooler. I've spent many Saturdays sitting in high school gyms eating out of a cooler. People may look at me funny (of course, they're so used to it by now!) but I don't care. I know I'm doing my best and what's best for my family. You can do it too. Plan ahead. Fail to plan, plan to fail. And btw, you'll save a fortune by not hitting the concession stand for atomic chili covered in nuclear cheese. Just sayin. Oh, and your body will thank you!
I'm sure I've rambled on long enough but wanted to point out a few things. If you have any questions, ASK! I'm always happy to talk about health and fitness and the chaos of it all while raising a family. Feel free to come over, check things out and like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Get-Up-Get-Movin/311185528896644.
Wishing you a FIT day!
Your Fit and Frantic Mom,
Ann
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