I’ve been asked a few times to share what I do for exercise, so I figured I’d just make a general blog post about it. It’s really quite simple, actually.
PLAN. Every Sunday I write down my fitness schedule in my planner. You know what they say: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! I recite that on the regular, and Zack just kind of shakes his head every time, but it’s true!! Half the battle is just showing up, etc etc. Anyway. Yes. It’s actually my favourite night of the week. I set aside some “me” time and write down everything I want to accomplish in the coming week, in terms of fitness, food, personal, whatever. I highly recommend doing the same! My Lilly Pulitzer agenda is literally my life, and if it isn’t written in there, chances are I will not be doing it. Period.
TONE IT UP. As far as fitness goes, I pretty much follow the Tone It Up weekly schedule to a tee. Now, I have not (yet) purchased the plan, and I don’t own any of their DVD’s, I just follow the free workouts and schedules that they so kindly put up online! They have so many workout videos and some recipes and great motivation, and it’s all free! Plus, it’s a genius idea, because once you start following them, it’s pretty much impossible to not want to join the community. I’m absolutely planning on it some day.
SWEAT EVERY DAY. On top of the weekly workout schedule (usually I do the recommended videos about 3 times through- each day focusing on strength training and working out a different body part), I also do cardio every day. Some days I’ll run (with my husband! It’s pretty much the best!) and other days if we don’t get out to run, I’ll hop on my spin bike and ride. It varies, but I usually ride about an hour, and this is when I get in my PLL fix. ;) I also make sure to get in some yoga at least once a week- usually Sunday. It’s such a great way to wind down from the weekend and get ready, physically and mentally, for the week ahead. My goal is to break a sweat every day, and if I do that, I’m a happy camper. Endorphins are a helluva drug!
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. One important thing to keep in mind with working out, is to listen to your body. Know when to stop. Know when you’re pushing yourself just enough and when it gets to be too much. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself, and then be out of commission for who knows how long! With that being said, I don’t have a set “day off” each week. Some weeks I take a rest day, others I don’t, it just depends how I feel. I really prefer to treat my rest days as “active rest days” and still like to get out there and do SOMETHING, whether it be a fun bike ride with my husband, playing a game of tennis with a friend, swimming, or taking a nice long walk in the evening after dinner.
NO GYM NEEDED. The best part of all of this? I don’t have a gym membership. I never have. So for all you fellow girls on a budget, you do not need a fancy/expensive gym membership to be fit and active and healthy! You don’t! No amount of money is going to make you fit. My favourite exercises are ones that use my own body resistance and that I can do in my living room. Sure, it’d be great to be a member of a gym some day, when we can afford it, but until then? I am perfectly content using my living room, the internet/DVDs, a pair of dumbells (I have 5 and 8 lbs) and the great outdoors as my gym. It just takes a little motivation and you can do anything you set your mind to!
MOTIVATION. I can honestly say I am in the best shape of my life now and finally feel strong! I’m not scared to lift weights anymore! The beginning of this year is when this mindset truly kicked in for the very first time, because after seeing everything my mom was going through, it made me realize just what a gift good health is! It is certainly not something to take for granted and it opened my eyes to just how important it is to be healthy! I work out because I can. I work out because it makes me feel good. I work out because it empowers me, it makes me feel strong, and it makes me happy. I work out because I know what it’s like to not have the option, and as long as I have this option, I’m going to take full advantage of it.
CUTE CLOTHES HELP. I mean, duh, right? ;) But really. If you’re finding your motivation lacking, just get yourself some new cute neon spandex clothes and BOOM! Problem solved. I promise, this works. And no, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg. Yeah, Lululemon is cute, but guess what. You can get equally cute clothes for way less money. I love the workout clothes from Forever 21, Gap, Old Navy, Target, and stores like Marshalls and Ross! Great clothes for a fraction of the price!
I hope this helped some of you! I think it’s pretty straight forward. I don’t do any crazy things. I don’t restrict myself or take any of my exercise to the extreme. I do what makes sense for me and what I can handle. Let me know if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them!
Why do you work out?
What does your fitness routine look like?
What motivates you?
xo
Omg I had no idea you could get the free tone it up plans online!!! I am so doing that today!!!
YES, every week they post a weekly workout schedule! It’s the best :)
xo
love this post! it’s so true- you do NOT need a gym membership to get a good workout. I swear I work out better now that I don’t have one :) and I love tone it up! I bought their first beach babe dvd and really like it. Contemplated getting the 2nd but figured that there are so many free videos out there that I don’t even need it!
PS you are hardcore. i have 3lb and 5lb weights. you have 8s?! i am impressed. :)
It’s my biggest pet peeve when people say they can’t work out without a gym membership. NOT true!! And I just adore Tone It Up. Changed my life for sure! :)
xo
my favorite day of the week is “prepping” day too. :) i use the time to create a menu and plan my workouts for the next week. and i always feel so accomplished when i’m done.
i workout because it makes me FEEL great. just can’t get enough of those crazy ol’ endorphins. my usual plan includes three lifting days, 2-3 cardio days (depending on my body), and 1-2 days of yoga (again, going by how my body feels).
The menu planning is the only thing I really need to work on! But I agree about feeling so accomplished after prepping for the week! Love that feeling! Smart cookie to always go on how your body feels!!
xo
I love getting workout clothes from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or the clearance racks of DIck’s Sporting Goods. I would love to buy all the cute Nike stuff, but sadly it is too expensive :-(
I work out because I like it, and because I am planning on competing next year in a figure competition.
RIght now, I’m not doing any cardio (I’ll add it later), but I’m doing heavy lifting 5-6 days a week and working out a different muscle group each day.
Girl, I feel you on the Nike stuff! I get so excited when I find it on sale places, though, and scoop it up! :) Kohl’s sells Nike and they always have great deals there! Good luck on the competition next year! That sounds fun, and like the perfect motivation!
xo
Great post! and very helpful!
I’m just like you, I work out at home and I run, I do Jillian one day, run the next, and usually take saturdays and sundays off. I’m starting to love work out clothes more than ever, so I loved the different options you gave!
Thanks Veronica!! Glad you liked it :) Sounds like it’s time for you to get some fun new workout clothes, yay! ;)
xo
Katie, I love this. I love that you are not part of a Gym and that you do TIU workouts on the daily. Because that is totally what I would do, if I worked out haha. I think my biggest problem is trying to get cardio in there somewhere. I don’t run, and we don’t exactly have a good running neighborhood. I don’t have a bike and we do not have any exercise equipment. I guess I just have to find some way to get cardio in there. I really have been thinking about health a lot more lately than ever before especially with my aunt in the hospital. I already have bad health issues but I want to stop it before it gets worse and make myself has healthy as possible for my family now, my future family and myself. I’m thinking a nice goal would be Fit & Healthy by Christmas? What do you think? That would give me almost 4 months plus hello new Christmas dress!. Anywho, I love how dedicated you are to staying healthy. I really want to get my booty in shape (and I mean it this time!) Love you, girl! Keep at your workouts and I’ll let you know how I do! Maybe I should start making a plan :)
I think fit and healthy by Christmas is a great goal!! The first step is setting a goal! Maybe you could write it down somewhere and journal about it? I find that helps to keep a record of everything you do and what you want to accomplish. Writing it all down really puts it out there and holds you accountable! :) As for cardio, you could even just run in place! Or just around your house? In your own yard! Jumping jacks are great and can be done anywhere, or jump rope. You don’t even need an actual jump rope, just make the motion and pretend like you’re holding one. It’ll get your heart rate up!
xo
I bookmarked this post haha. I used to be so active (never had a gym membership either) playing soccer with my dad, I was a dancer for most of my life, or just running but then I injured my knee. So for the past two years with not having great health insurance I stopped doing anything because my knee just hurt too much. I think I packed on a good 15 pounds, thank goodness I’m 5’9 haha. Now that I went through physical therapy I’m going to use your post as motivation.
Also, the agenda is a good idea. I always lose track of time haha.
Aww you made my day saying that you bookmarked this! :) That’s awesome! I’m so glad you found it useful! And yeah, I literally write everything down. It helps a lot! And yay for fellow tall girls! ;)
xo
How tall are you??? I kind of figured you were tall when I saw the pretty flats in your wedding pictures. Us tall girls understand how hard it is haha. I noticed that all the tall girls end up with the guys that are average height and all the petite girls end up with 6 foot something basketball player tall guys haha. Although I find it adorable when I see a tall guy and a petite girl together.
I’m 5’8″-5’9″! :)
xo
Thanks for sharing ! I love hearing about people’s fitness routines, I always feel like I’m stuck in a fitness rut haha !
Madeline | Its a Mads Mads World
Aw yay, so glad that you liked it! :) I hope it’s helpful!
xo
This was really awesome. Thank you for sharing :)
Aw yayyy I’m glad you liked it, girl!
xo
I have been doing a barre class because there was a $49 deal on Living Social for a month. I love it (and it really kicks my booty) but after the promo is up, it’s so expensive! Total bummer but I think a lot of if I can do at home with some small weights and work out DVD.
Girl, I LOVE me some barre! It reminds me of my ballet days, I think that’s why I love it so much. Tone It Up actually has a barre video that I do here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM_s0NxaBUs
xo
You made me want to go out and buy a planner!
I agree that you don’t need a gym membership. I have everything that I need and I have spent less than $600 on it, which is probably what a one year gym membership would cost me.
My planner is my LIFE! Seriously, it’s the best. And seriously, gym memberships are NOT necessary! :)
xo
Love this post! Jillian Michaels videos are amazingggg! And um F21 has workout clothes? I would never have looked there!
I love me some Jillian! She’s such a biatch and exactly what I need some times! haha ;) and YES, F21 has really cute workout clothes!! Some are great quality too!
xo
I love to find out peoples fitness routines. It gives me new ideas and more motivation. I love the advice to buy cute workout clothes for motivation! I need some new workout clothes!
Girl, sometimes new workout clothes are the ONLY motivation that work! ;)
xo
I get my workout clothes from T.J. Maxx. Love their selection and prices. I love how you make your fitness routine fun and doable. Most fitness plans make you feel like you have to devote your entire life but your routine makes it seem feasible. Thanks for sharing.
Aw I’m glad my routine seems fun and doable, because it totally is! I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t! ;)
xo
Thanks for sharing! I’ve been running just about everyday for the past two months and am up to going 1.5 miles straight so far, which might not seem like much, but I used to get winded just going up stairs! Seeing my body improve and get stronger each day is what motivates me to keep going. I used to be all about just getting slim, but after seeing how much muscle I’m capable of having from all the running I’ve been doing, I now plan on doing more weight lifting and bodybuilding workouts. I’m really excited to start gaining more muscle and toning my body.
xo-Kimberly
That’s so awesome! Keep running, girl! :) And strength training is so important to do along with the cardio. Sounds like you are ROCKING it!
xo
For the love of all that is holy, please come over and whoop my booty into shape! I have turned into a ball of mush!! It’s gross, but I can’t seem to get motivated!!!
Ohhh I don’t believe that for one second! You look fantastic!!