Have you ever tried to work out at home?
I work out everywhere I go, but my absolute favorite place to get my sweat on is my home! No… I don’t have a fancy gym in my house or any crazy equipment. I love working out at home because of how FREEING it is!
I can make as many ugly faces as I want while I struggle through difficult moves. I can let out grunts and shrieks, and I can even blare out obscenities… and nobody will be around to judge me for it! And of course, when I work out at home I don’t have to worry about creepy onlookers or the occasional over-zealous guy trying to turn my workout session into a dating game.
Sounds pretty great, right!? So what’s the catch? Well, there is the whole thing about not WANTING to work out after a long day at work. You know, you get home and have ZERO energy… and the couch starts sweet talking you as you walk through the door. I’ve been there! I know how it is!
Let’s be real!
As easy as it is to say you’re going to commit to a workout schedule when you get home… it’s even easier to quickly think up a laundry list of excuses for why you shouldn’t. But I’m telling you… It’s always so worth it once you’re done! Exercise gives you an instant rush of endorphins, which magically make you feel AMAZING!
And I want to stay committed to your fitness goals, so here are my 5 best tricks to stick to that workout goal and get amazing results from home!
1. Schedule It!
Studies have shown that you’re more likely to stick to goal-oriented tasks if you SCHEDULE them. So sit down and jot down some time each day where you know you’ll have the opportunity to fit in a workout. Writing it down makes it real… it makes it a commitment. And you don’t wanna let yourself down do you?
2. Get Set…
Nothing kills the momentum of an awesome workout like having to stop midway to move a couch out of the way. You’ll have much better results if you plan ahead and set your workout space the way it needs to be for what you’re going to do. Even if you have a shoebox for an apartment, move things out of the way and toward the wall (or into another room) so you can have all the needed space to work it! Just don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to tire yourself out doing a meaningless exercise like pushing that giant table in your dining room.
3. Dress The Part!
You already know how amazing it feels to peel your clothes off after a long day at work. The last thing you want to do is get dressed all over again just to exercise. So unless you plan to work out totally naked, I suggest you find ways to wear exercise clothes as often as possible! Like a superhero who hides their cape under their clothes, you must be ready to switch into workout mode at a moments notice! And let’s be real… workout clothes are super comfy and super cute! Make it work for you, girl… you got this!
4. Keep It To Yourself
Look… there is absolutely nothing wrong with putting it out there that you’re totally committing to your fitness. It’s a great way to get people on social media to be in your corner to cheer you on. But definitely, limit how MUCH you talk about it. Why? A recent study in Psychological Science found that plastering your fitness goals all over Twitter / Facebook / Instagram actually causes a decline in your ability to actually follow through on those goals. So don’t be silent about your intentions and your successes… but maybe don’t post a fitness selfie every day. Save those types of announcements for meaningful moments like beating your plank record, or when you shrink into a different pant size!
5. HIIT It And Quit It!
Okay… sorry for the innuendo. But in all seriousness, you don’t need to feel shackled to doing a workout that takes an hour or longer! Scientific studies have proven that shorter workouts, like High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), lead to much faster results than slogging through an entire 60-minute routine. In fact… you can build muscle, increase your metabolism, and really put your fitness to the test anywhere from 10-30 minutes. And that’s it! Get it done. And then move on with your day. Done and done!
With as easy as it is to make excuses to NOT workout after a long day, these tips will help you realize that it’s ALL in your head. Focus on your end goal and just put in the work. I promise you, any doubt or hang-ups will melt away with every single workout you finish. Soon enough, this lifestyle will simply become a part of who you are. And THAT is an amazing first step toward elevating your life!!!
Here’s to you… you badass!
With all my ️,
Dr. Stephanie
As one of the nation’s acclaimed Emergency Medicine Physicians, Dr. Stephanie Burgos is also a best - selling author, lifestyle and confidence coach, wellness expert, speaker, and social influencer.
Dr. Stephanie works with women on how to balance mental and physical fitness with personal and professional success so they can renew their energy, restore clarity and rebuild confidence.
You can follow Dr. Stephanie on Instagram and Facebook (@healthyerdoc).