How To Get Fit Without A Gym Membership

Welcome to a new post!

Wow, I'm such a poet, aren't I. Not funny, I know, sorry. 😃

Around this time last year me and my friend actually decided to sign up for a gym membership. I had wanted to do this for a really long time, and I was really exited to finally be able to do it, even though I am not really the fan of being watched when I workout. Before that I had already been working out at home for quite some time, but I finally felt like making that step.

I did enjoy going to the gym, but the further I got down the road the less motivated I would be to go there. And that's not because I don't like the idea of gyms, but mainly because I stress a lot about time, and it would literally take me so long to get there and get back home because I had to get of two different busses.

Especially during exam time I would just not get myself to go there because I just couldn't bare the thought of loosing around 3 hours of study time, when I only actually work out for half of that time. On the other hand it was hurting me how much money I was spending on the gym membership and how I was not going there often enough to make up for it. I ended up having to force myself to go at least once a week which, to be honest, didn't work out every week.

Now I am back to working out at home, no gym membership and no fancy courses and machines. I wish I would have gone to more of the courses now and I really like the idea of having all those machines and other things to use in your workout, but to be honest - you don't need all of that stuff to get fit. You can easily get fit at home. That's a way of saving both time and money. Say you would pay 30€ a month to go to a gym. Working out at home instead would literally save 360€ per year! You don't need all of those machines to loose weight or get toned.

GET THE BASICS

You aren't spending any money on the gym monthly, but instead I advise you to get a few basics to make the workout a bit more professional. These things are not necessary, but they definitely do help. I personally bought myself a yoga matt, a set of 3kg weights, a stretch band and a gymnastic ball. You could totally get yourself a kettlebell, some arm & leg weights, a treadmill or something like that. That totally depends on you and how much money you want to spend.

I personally recommend just getting a yoga matt to start out, maybe some small weights. You don't need much to get toned if you know what you're doing. If you don't want to get weights, use water bottles. If you don't want to get a treadmill, go run outside. I personally think that's more fun anyway than practically running on one spot. Oh and also, if you own a Wii, Wii Fit is a thing too. I don't really know if it does that much fitness wise but it's better than nothing I guess. 😄

GET OUTSIDE

Whether it's your garden, the balcony or the fields and streets around where you live. Going outside is a really good way to change things up and get in some fresh air at the same time, especially when you feel a little bit bored about only doing workouts at home.

You don't even have to go running or ride your bike if you don't want to. Use stairs and steps, the plain side walk, things to jump over, anything you want. There are way more opportunities outside to work out with than most of us actually make use of.

FREE ONLINE WORKOUTS

That's personally one of my favourites, and the main reason why I am still working out. Without online workouts and apps I would have grown bored of fitness long ago. There are so many free workouts out there, especially on YouTube and in the app store.

There's Cassey from Blogilates on YouTube for example, which is so much fun (well as much fun as screaming muscles can be haha) and you can even follow her monthly workout plans, whether you're a beginner or already have some experience.

Another one of my favourites on YouTube is Lucy Wyndham-Read. Some of you might know her if you watch the Saccone-Jolys, as she's their personal trainer. Her videos are awesome, especially if you can only fit in a few minutes of working out a day. She has various 4 minute HIIT workouts which you can do, and you would never believe how sweaty 4 minutes of working out can get sometimes.

Two of my favourite apps are the 7 Minute Workout app and the Nike+ Training one. The 7 minute workout app is actually the one I started out with, and even if it's the same exercises all over again if you don't invest into further exercises, it's a great and quick

workout for every day.

I discovered the Nike+ Training app when I first started working out, and I keep going back to it, especially when I get super motivated. If you want really tough workouts definitely get this app - it's phenomenal! It's all for free and you can either choose from various workouts that focus on different areas, have various different lengths and for all fitness "types". If you rather prefer something a bit more planned out, you can start a training plan, which is totally build for your enquiries and possibilities. I started a new one just this week after failing various times, and even though the workouts can be so hard, they are so much fun at once (unless they include push-ups...😒😅).

WORKOUT PROGRAMMES

If you want to invest into your workouts, I have also got a few recommendations because there's a majority of possibilities out there.

The first one a lot of you will have already heard about is Kayla Itsines. She's Australian and has created an awesome Programme to make you look so freaking toned. Soo many people have joined her program, and even I tried her free workouts. Let me tell you - there's a reason why everyone doing her Programme is looking so freaking toned, because these workouts are the hardest ones I have ever done, even if you just repeat 7 minute circles. When I tried them for the first time I literally only managed to do one 7 minute circuit before I broke down. They are very effective, but it's also slightly expensive, which is the main reason why I haven't bought it myself yet, but if you can spend some money and you are motivated to get toned, definitely

have a look at her Programme.

If want to spend a little less money, have a look into Danielle Peazer's new workout Programme which she recently launched. It even includes various recipes for you to try to do along with your workouts. You can also get a free trial of that, and I'm really liking that as well, so have a look at that if you are able to invest a little money. Danielle is such a nice person, her body is literally goals and her dancing is so beautiful, so I definitely recommend that.

I personally don't have any experience with them, but I believe there are also some great workout DVDs out there.

See, no need for an expensive gym membership. It's worked out for me to get toned at home, so it'll definitely work out for you to if you put the time and dedication into it. Going to the gym might have it's benefits, but it's not necessary to spend money on a gym membership to get fit. In the end you will have to find out for yourself what's the best choice.

Have an awesome week ♥

Love, Jacqueline Xx

P.S. All rights for the pictures used in the collages above go to their owners. I do not claim any copyright for them! I don't use them to gain money but for fun and inspiration only!

Sticking to Your Fitness Goals

 Welcome to a new post!

I knew I wanted to make a fitness related post, but I didn't want it to be the typical post where I tell you how you get slim and healthy in three seconds or something like that. I ended up with the idea of telling you my tips on sticking to your fitness goals. I have tried my best not to come up with the ones that everyone has already told you tons of times on other blogs, youtube or whatever.

Sticking to your fitness goals doesn't sound quite as hard once you've come up with that idea, but then you find yourself snuggled up in bed again with cookies, crisps, fries or whatever, thinking about working out, but not ending up doing anything. I know there are a lot of people who have that problem, especially after New Years when they made it their goal to finally work out.

I have personally had that struggle, but finally found a way to overcome it somehow, and now I have been sticking to a proper schedule for a year, which is quite good for me. I tried sticking to it twice, and once completely failed after doing a 7 minute workout every day for four months, and once after doing it for 1 and a half months, but then picked it up again.

So here is what I find helpful, to now stop working out.

1) SPICE AND CHANGE IT UP

If you keep doing the same moves all of the time, you will immediately get bored of it and not feel motivated anymore to actually work out. Change it up from time to time, don't focus on doing the same things all the time. Make it harder, the further you get with your workouts. Try new workout guides, videos, routines, courses - basically everything that comes up to your mind. Don't wait until all your motivation is lost, if you feel getting bored of the moves, find something new.

I personally find the Blogilates calendars quite amazing, as the workout videos you have to do change every day and every month. Kayla Itsines's workouts are a bit pricey, but they are really hard and work pretty well, which might make you see your goals a bit faster than with Blogilates. Also the Nike + app is really cool, as there are quite a few different workouts for different fitness levels and goals, and it's also for free.

2) WRITE IT DOWN

Print your routine out or write it down. Keeping it in front of your face will remind you of the things that you have set as your goal. That way you keep it on your mind a little bit longer than just thinking about it.

Try it out, especially when you are just starting out. I did it, and now I don't even need to do it anymore, as it has become a complete part of my routine, which I always keep in mind, no matter what I plan.

3)  GO TO CLASSES

Have a look at your local gym and see what kind of classes they teach. I think basically every gym does it, and there is something for everyone to do. Even when you aren't feeling motivated, going to a class will motivate you when you see all those other people working out next to you and with you. Try it. If you don't want to go alone, go grab a friend, and it will be even more fun.

4) HAVE A ROUTINE

Come up with a routine, to be sure to stick to working out. It doesn't have to be planned out from the first second, but setting certain days and a certain time where you want to start makes it easier for you to plan your day and still find time for working out.

Don't forget rest days either! Have at least one a week for your body to rest, which it really will need after days and days of hard work.

5) BUY NEW GYM CLOTHES

Buying new gym clothes and looking at all of them in shop can really motivate you to actually do something. I mean who doesn't like a new set of clothes and gets exited to wear them, let's be honest! So try that with gym clothes, and it might work a hell of a lot than many other things.

6) GET INSPIRED

Read, watch, shop, everything that comes to your mind. Getting inspiration online, especially on WeHeartIt and Youtube, is personally something that really helps me a lot. By seeing other people succeeding in the things you want to achieve and do can really put you into a better mood, especially when you feel like working out, but don't. It doesn't mean that you should compare yourself to others, not at all, but taking it as a motivation to actually get your bum up is quite a nice thing to do.

7) TAKE PICTURES

Looking at before and after pictures is probably the best thing ever. You don't notice the difference as much when you are looking at your body from day to day, but when you actually see a difference in pictures, it really gives you the feeling that you have actually achieved something, and it will make you want to work even harder. 

8) DON'T LEAVE BUSY DAYS OUT

Of course you need to prioritize, but just because you feel like you have so many things to do, doesn't mean you should always leave out your workout. Actually, I find working out on stressy days quite relaxing, as it lets my mind concentrate on something else for a little while at least. Try to do a little workout at least, even if it's just ten minutes. A workout is a workout. 

I really hope these tips where at least a tiny bit helpful, even if they weren't the most original ones. I personally find these points quite important for myself to maintain my routine and stick to my goals to achieve them. Seeing results is the most motivating thing ever, and I really hope that you are able to stick to your goals and keep working out.

Let me know what you do to keep working out down below. :)

Have a good day and week. :)

Love, Jacqueline Xx