Beachbody: Scam or Success?

As I sit here writing this blog post, I am sipping on my chocolate vegan Shakeology and am browsing through the hundreds of pictures that cover my newsfeed of friends in New Orleans. While I am at home, spending my Saturday with Beck doing work, my Beachbody family is attending the biggest work conference of the year (Summit) in New Orleans. I was unable to attend this year due to timing of internship, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been able to live vicariously through their Facebook and Instagram posts and Snapchat stories. Missing out on Summit has really made me reflect on why I started Beachbody in the first place and what it has done for me, because honestly it has done so much.

My first introduction to Beachbody occurred in 2012 when Spence and I attempted to do P90X. We lasted 60 days and then gave up. In 2014 I was reintroduced through my friend Kelsie (who is now one of my coaches) when she was getting great results with T25. T25 was the first program I successfully completed, although there were definitely struggles along the way and I didn’t even touch the meal plan. Then, in the fall of 2015 after I was recovering from an ankle injury I was seeking out ways to get back in shape after my hiatus, preferably in a manner that would allow Spence and I to do it together. I looked at a number of different companies, at-home workout programs, YouTube Channels, when I finally reached out to Lily, a girl I had been following on Instagram and who I noticed recently became a Beachbody coach. What drew me to Lily was that she was genuine. You could tell she loved the products and was getting real results. Even though I was the one to reach out it literally took me MONTHS to finally agree to buying a program, Shakeology, and my biggest fear – to start coaching. But Lily was always patient with me, so after doing a ton of research and talking to Spence I decided to give it a try.

Saying I was scared was an understatement. I was scared I would fail at this program (Hammer & Chisel) because I had failed at P90X before. I was scared of the meal plan. I was scared that I wouldn’t like Shakeology (and not to mention I was still totally against the thought of drinking my meal). But most of all I was scared what people would think of me. Multilevel marketing companies (MLMs) have a bad reputation. They are seen as pyramid schemes where only the people at the top make money. People who join them are viewed as pushing products (and there are definitely some people out there that do). They are seen as a scam. They are viewed as a way to make quick money, but not something that can be sustainable. How many of us have that Facebook friend (or five) who jumped into an MLM, only posted about the MLM for a month or so, and then suddenly there was no mention of it in site. I didn’t want to be that person, so my solution? Not post about it. By not posting people didn’t have to know that I joined the “shameful” MLM world. People wouldn’t know if I missed a work out, messed up on the meal plan, or if the products didn’t work. People wouldn’t know I was drinking a meal for lunch instead of eating. And therefore, people couldn’t pass judgment, which was probably the thing I feared most.

But then something happened. I was plugged into a community of some of the most supportive individuals I had ever met. I was getting daily encouragement and accountability for people who were complete strangers. I was forming friendships. Spence and I got to spend time together every single day working out together. We completely changed our eating habits and fueled our body with the proper nutrition. That shake I was worried about? I absolutely fell in love with it and noticed a difference in just one week of drinking it. Oh, and that workout I was so convinced I would fail at? Spence and I completed one entire round without skipping a single workout, and then we completed the entire program again. I was no longer the girl full of fear of failing, doubts, and concerns of judgement because I found that I was in love with the products, the community, and the results; so I started to share.

When I started to share, people became interested. People would reach out and ask questions and I got more confident in reaching out to people too. I suddenly I felt like I had a purpose outside of psychology and being a graduate student, which for so long had consumed me to the point that I wasn’t able to focus on any other areas in my life. A fire was lit in me for helping others on their own health journeys, so I did, but the fear of judgment from others due to being part of an MLM still occupied the back of my mind.

If we think about it, multilevel marketing happens all the time. When we like a restaurant we will tell our friends to go to it. When we have a bad experience at a certain place that provides service, we tell people not to go there. Need I mention the Starbucks Unicorn Drink which brought in millions of dollars from free social media advertising – or should I say multilevel marketing? The difference is, Starbucks didn’t pay anyone to share the snapshot of their Unicorn Drink, people shared because they loved the product (or in some cases found it absolutely disgusting). I share my transformation posts, Shakeology recipes, and workout selfies because I love these products and not only do I love these products, I believe in them. Over time, that belief in and love for the products outweighed any fear I had of judgment (and trust me, there has been some), because if I can help even one person through making a social media post, then I am doing something I love.

Since publicly sharing about my health journey, I have helped so many people start their own journeys – both using Beachbody products and through free groups I run on Facebook – and have built my team up to the highest paid rank in the business. My goal was never to become a “business builder” as we like to call it in the Beachbody world. I signed up as a coach to get a discount on the products and if I could make some extra income on the side that would be great, as being a graduate student doesn’t provide a livable income, but that was never my sole intention. I joined to work on me first, and only me, but the funny thing is, when you work on yourself you grow in so many ways and that growth is contagious.

I joined Beachbody almost 19 months ago. In those 19 months I have (almost) completed 7 different programs, some a couple of times. I have learned how to properly fuel my body with nutritious foods and how much of each food I should be eating. I have lost countless inches, a few pounds (although that was never my intention), gained muscle and strength. My confidence has increased, my mental health is better, I am better able to manage my stress. I have made some of my best friends and found a social support system that is often lacking when people go on their health journeys alone. Spence and I have found something we get to do together every single day, which has made our marriage stronger. And yes, I have been able to make an income.

Beachbody changes lives; I fully believe that. People have lost over 100 pounds just using the programs and the portion fix nutrition system. People have gone from rock bottom to making full time incomes. Yes, there are so many different health companies out there, there are so many different supplements, and not everyone wants to work out at home, and I understand that. Not everything will be for everyone but I truly believe that Beachbody works because the company offers the whole package – fitness, nutrition, one-on-one support of a FREE coach, and a support system to keep you on track. This isn’t a quick fix or a get rich quick scheme. It is hard work and dedication, but when you realize that your health is one of the most valuable things you have and that you deserve to take care of yourself mind, body, and spirit, the energy and effort you put into doing so is worth it.

When I signed up I told Lily to give me 6 months and then I would probably quit. I rolled my eyes at people who said this company changed their life and I was SO AGAINST the thought of drinking Shakeology. But here I am, almost 19 months later, the healthiest and happiest I have ever been in my adult life which truly wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t said “yes” in the first place.

21 Day Fix Extreme

Although this post is about 6 weeks late, Spence and I finished our second round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme – a 21 day total body workout program that includes 30 minute exercises and portion control meals. The 21 Day Fix is one of Beachbody’s top selling programs, so we decided we would give the extreme version a shot. I will admit, I do not think either of us had very high expectations given the previous programs we have completed; however, I think both of us realized that these workouts were a lot better than we initially gave them credit for.

Overall Impressions

Jess: I absolutely loved this program! I felt I got in better workouts than 22 Minute Hard Corps, and although I still prefer Hammer & Chisel, I loved how each workout was only 30 minutes.

Spence: I hate Autumn. She was mean and she made me sore every day, but it was a lot better workout than I thought it was going to be.

Favorite Overall Workout

Jess: Pilates Fix Extreme was a nice change of pace and good stretch, so it definitely one of my favorites. I also enjoyed Dirty 30 because it was a challenge.

Spence: Pilates Fix Extreme.

Least Favorite Overall Workout

Jess: Yoga, because I am really bad at it.

Spence: Lower Fix Extreme or Dirty 30.

Favorite Thing About the Program

Jess: That it was only 30 minutes but I could tell I got an amazing workout in.

Spence: I was able to channel my frustration and anger towards Autumn into a good workout.

Least Favorite Thing About the Program

Jess: There were no rest days! Although it is only 21 days and Pilates and yoga were a nice break from the weight lifting, day 22 was definitely my favorite day.

Spence: There were no rest days.

Results (Left: Day 1; Right: After 2 rounds [42 days]) :

Spence Results:

Chest: +/- 0 inch
Right Arm: +/- 0 inch
Left Arm: +/- 0 inch
Waist: +/- o inch
Hips: + 3/4 inch
Right Thigh: – 1/2 inch
Left Thigh: + 1/4 inch
Net Total: + 1/2 inch

Jess Results (Left: Day 1; Right: After 2 rounds [42 days]):

Chest: -1/4 inch
Right Arm: -1/2 inch
Left Arm: -1/2 inch
Waist: -1/4 inch
Hips: -1/2 inch
Right Thigh: -5/8 inch
Left Thigh: +/- 0 inch
Net Total: -2 5/8 inches

22 Minute Hard Corps

Today, after 9 weeks, we completed 22 Minute Hard Corps; a military style workout from Tony Horton, the creator of P90X. All workouts are only 22 minutes + optional 10 minute ab workouts.

Overall Impressions:

Jess: I really enjoyed this program. I absolutely loved that it was only 22 minutes and that we actually got in a good workout in that short amount of time. I was worried since there are only 6 workouts (+ 2 core workouts) that I was going to get bored, but I definitely did not. I do not feel like I was as challenged as I was with Hammer & Chisel, but I loved that there was more cardio and specific ab workouts, both of which were challenging.

Spence: It was great to know that each workout would only take 22 minutes.  The resistance workouts were not as challenging as other programs, but most days we did additional resistance work (either P90X3 or our own routine).  I liked the cardio routines in this program because I normally hate cardio (okay, I still hate cardio), but it was nice to know that I only had to suffer for 22 minutes.  The core workouts were good, but I wish there was more variation instead of just doing more repetitions in one over the other.

Favorite Move/Exercise:

Jess: Punch pulls

Spence: Pumpjumpers

Least Favorite Move/Exercise:

Jess: Mountain Squats…or Gorilla Crawls, both look easy but definitely are not.

Spence: Waterbugs

Favorite Overall Workout:

Jess: Resistance 2!

Spence: Core 1 (it was the shortest and slowest)

Least Favorite Overall Workout:

Jess: Cardio 3. No breaks and spin burpees, really Tony!?

Spence: Cardio 2

Thoughts on Hell Week:

Jess: It definitely deserved its name. 22 minutes a day was relatively easy (although we were challenged); however, doubling that and doing back to back workouts was difficult. I definitely modified every day at least once except for the last day.

Spence: Why? It was very difficult to start each workout with Tony talking about how it was only 22 minutes and knowing that was a lie.  Each workout provided an almost too simple workout by themselves, but more than one back to back…….whew!

Thoughts on the Performance Line:

Jess: Energize (pre-workout) is a life saver for waking up at 4:30 AM. I am so much more alert for my workouts and can tell a huge difference in my performance. It tastes really good too. I also enjoyed the hydrate; I didn’t try the other products.

Spence: Energize was great after I adjusted to the initial tingly sensation.  Hydrate tasted a lot better than plain water, but I didn’t notice significant benefits beyond working out with just water.  The recover and recharge protein blends were both tastier and more effective than other protein powders that I have used in the past.

Where you noticed the most change (physical or otherwise):

Jess: I did not notice as many physical changes with this program, which I honestly not that surprising since I lost many inches with the two rounds of Hammer and Chisel, but I definitely found an increase in my endurance. For example, when first doing gorilla crawls I had to take a break doing 26, but now I am able to do them all at once. I noticed exercises got easier and I did not have to modify as much by the end.

Spence: I noticed that almost all of the exercises became easier by the end of the program, but that was mostly due to knowing the patterns and being able to get ahead while Tony told jokes (and no, I did not want to finish faster to prove anything,  I wanted to get to the 22 second breaks as fast I could).

Spence Results (top – before; bottom – after):

Chest: – 1 1/2 in.
R. Arm: + 3/8 in.
L Arm: +0 in.
Waist: +0 in.
Hips: +0 in.
R. Thigh: +1/4 in.
L Thigh: – 1/4 in.
Net: -1.125 in.

Jess Results (top – before; bottom – after):

Chest: – 1/2 in.
R. Arm: + 0 in.
L Arm: + 1/4 in.
Waist: -1/4 in.
Hips: -1/4 in.
R. Thigh: +3/8 in.
L Thigh: +0 in.
Net: -0.375 in.

Now we are moving on to the 21 Day Fix Extreme, followed by Body Beast. We may not be seeing as many physical changes as we were when we first started, but every day we continue to get stronger and healthier. If you have any more questions about the program or want to try it (it’s on sale this month) ask either one of us and we would be happy to talk with you!

Don’t Look For A Quick Fix, Adopt A Healthy Lifestyle

July 11th marked exactly 6 months since Spence and I officially started our “health overhaul.” January 11th was the first time we pressed play on Hammer & Chisel and really had no idea what we were getting into. 6 months ago we were trying to figure out what it means to meal plan, what these color coded containers we were supposed to use were, what life would be like without eating cookies and ice cream regularly, and how we were possibly going to survive eating carrots and celery as a snack. Fast forward 6 months and although we do still crave sweets on occasion, would love to crack a beer open at dinner, and a frozen pizza is easier to prepare than some of our healthier meals, eating healthy has become a lot easier. It was a slow process at first, but over time we have come to enjoy eating healthy and can feel a significant difference when we don’t. For example, I immediately can tell a difference in my body and cravings when I miss Shakeology during the day. We have also learned to cook numerous healthy meals, are getting better at meal prepping, and have worked out no less than 6 days per week for 6 months.

Specific healthy behaviors aside, we have also noticed physical and mental changes. Weight loss, inches loss, muscle gain, more strength, more energy, and I can only speak for myself, but I have definitely noticed significant improvement in my mental health as well!

January 11, 2016

July 11, 2016

January 11, 2016

July 11, 2016

Today in one of my coaching groups, we were talking about our “why.” Why we started our health and fitness journey, why we decided to share our journey, and why we decided to become coaches to help others. It made me reflect on my reasoning for signing up to do Hammer & Chisel in the first place. I remember recovering from my ankle injury and just wanting to work out, but not being able to (at least to the degree I wanted to). I remember being exhausted and stressed from school and letting my health take a back burner to reading, research, class, etc. I remember my “quality time” with Spence being us in the same room while I was sitting on my laptop doing work. I remember staying up until midnight or 1 AM to finish work, and getting up by 6  to get a head start on my day. So when I think about my “why” I think of these things:

• Wanting to improve both my physical and mental health, and actually focus on my well-being, rather than just school.
• Wanting to spend more quality time with Spence doing something we both enjoy, rather than letting school and work get in the way.
• Wanting to motivate and inspire others to take care of their own physical and mental health, make them realize that their goals are in reach, that you can learn good habits at any point in your life, and that you don’t need to go to the gym and work out hours on end to get results.
• Wanting to adopt good behaviors now, so that Spence and I can pass these behaviors on to our future children.

I am happy to say that in the past 6 months, I believe I have accomplished all these things (well not fully reason 4, but the adopting good behaviors part, yes – nobody get overly excited now) and I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months brings us. We already plan to do the 21 Day Fix Extreme (let me know if anyone wants to join!), followed by Body Beast, get better at meal prepping, and expand the meals we cook, but I am sure we will have more goals along the way.

Hammer & Chisel Round 2

Spence and I have officially completed our second round of Hammer & Chisel. Another 8 weeks of working out 6x per week and eating healthy/clean (whatever you prefer to call it). This round we bought the deluxe workouts, which was 4 extra workouts; 2 total body and 2 area-specific. I absolutely loved the deluxe workouts and will definitely do some of them (especially the total body ones) when we are not doing a program.

This round we did not see as many physical changes in our bodies, but we definitely got stronger. I have mastered being able to do one unassisted pull up and one unassisted chin up. I can do 22 push ups without stopping and have increased my weights. Spence has increased his weights and has actually maxed out on our heaviest dumbbell weight for the bench press. We have both been eating a lot healthier and it has actually become our “normal.” After our first round we had a “cheat week” and both felt really sick and lethargic after eating such unhealthy food, crazy concept right?

During this round we also bought a sample pack of Shakeology, so we have been trying out a number of new recipes with different flavors. I have gotten into the habit of drinking it every single day, and can feel a huge difference if I do not have it. Spence drinks it as a snack the majority of the days as well. We were both really skeptical of a “meal replacement shake” initially, I mean, why not eat REAL food? But for me, it is so quick and easy to eat as lunch and for him it is a great after work snack. It also contains the equivalent of your daily serving of fruits and vegetables, which helps me dramatically since my diet is mostly carbs and fat (although I am trying to get better at it). We have both noticed differences by adding it to our diet. We have some samples left, so feel free to let me of Spence know if you want to try it to see what all the “hype” is about.

So to recap, last round Spence lost 8.25 inches total & gained 1 inch in his arms and I lost 9.625 inches. We did not weigh ourselves because we do not have a scale. This round the changes were definitely smaller, but we can’t both lose almost 10 inches each time right?

Spence: Top – March 14; Bottom – May 7

Spence’s Measurements:

Chest: + 1 inch
R. Arm: -3/8 inch
L. Arm: – 1/4 inch
Waist: – 1/2 inch
Hips: + 3/4 inches
R. Thigh: – 1/2 inch
L. Thigh: + 1 inch
Total: 1.625 lost & 2.75 gained
Net Total: +1.125

Jess: Top – March 14; Bottom – May 7

Jess’s Measurements:

Chest: -1 inch
R. Arm: – 1/8 inch
L. Arm: + 1/4 inch
Waist: – 1/2 inch
Hips: -1/4 inch
R. Thigh: -1/2 inch
L Thigh: – 3/4 inch
Total: 3.125 inches lost & +1/4 inch gained
Net Total: -2.875 

Although there are only small changes, if we compare Day 1 to Week 16 there are definitely huge differences:

January 11, 2016

January 11, 2016

A lot of people always ask if these home workouts work. The answer is clearly yes. If you put the time into following the program, including the eating portion, you will get results. Both Spence and I were very active before starting Hammer & Chisel, but our diets were not the healthiest. In the 17 weeks since we did our first H&C workout, I know I am healthier than I have ever been, and I am pretty sure Spence is too (without speaking for him of course). A huge component of that was changing our eating habits, which was definitely a challenge at first but now has become habit. We are moving on to 22 Minute Hard Corps after our “cheat week,” so we are excited to try a different program and to see how it goes.

If you have questions about the programs, meals, or shakes, don’t hesitate to ask either of us!

Hammer & Chisel Complete!

Today we completed our first round of Hammer & Chisel. 8 weeks of 30-45 minute workouts 6 days per week. We spent many early mornings in our “gym” (aka our garage) yelling at Sagi and Autumn, complaining about the number of reps or the complex moves, and being too tired to realize what we were actually putting our bodies through.

Overall Impressions:

Jess: I absolutely loved this program. It definitely challenged me. I was able to go up weights on all exercises and was able to improve my ability to do the moves. I loved the fact that the majority of it focused on lifting, with some cardio mixed in. I felt with the set up of the program I was able to see more results than if I did 8 weeks of another program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to gain muscle, get stronger, tone up, or lose weight.

Spence:  I had fun doing all of the workouts for this program…..until my body reminded me that I was out of shape and Sagi/Autumn would proceed to remind me why it’s called a “work”out.  I really did enjoy having a variety of workouts that kept it from becoming stagnant.  I’m interested to see if doing it a second time will yield results of equal significance as the first round.

Favorite Move/Exercise:

Jess: Squats or deadlifts

Spence:  Child’s Pose (cause warm ups are important)

Least Favorite Move/Exercise:

Jess: Pistol squats!!

Spence:  One handed clean squat jerk (Seriously? How is that one move?)

Something accomplished that you couldn’t do previously:

Jess: Prior to Hammer & Chisel I probably could do 2 unassisted push ups. I maxed out at 20 push ups in a row during this program, which I was so excited for.

Spence:  Get Jess up and moving before 6am without fearing for my life.  I can also do twisting planks now.

Where you have noticed the most physical change:

Jess: My stomach. I still don’t have a six pack (one day, right?) but I lost almost 3 inches in my waist.

Spence:  My waist. I didn’t want to lose pants sizes, but apparently I have no control over that (maybe the answer is more cookies and less carrots?).

Goal for the next round of Hammer & Chisel:

Jess: To be able to do an unassisted pull up & an unassisted dip on our dip bar.

Spence:  To finish all of the workouts without telling the trainers that I hate them at some point.

Favorite Shakeology Recipe:

Jess: Cafe latte with cinnamon, water, and ice. It takes like a Cinnamon Dolce frappacino from Starbucks!

Spence: Chocolate with skim milk, PB2, and an entire banana

Food you are looking forward to eating now that the meal plan is over:

Jess: Ice cream!!

Spence:  Apples………..apples dipped in peanut butter, apples dipped in chocolate, apple pie, etc

8 week results: 
Top – January 11, 2016
Bottom – March 6, 2016

Spence’s Measurements:

Chest: – 3/4 inch
R. Arm: + 1/2 inch
L. Arm: + 1/2 inch
Waist: – 2 1/2 inches
Hips: – 3 inches
R. Thigh: – 1/2 inch
L. Thigh: – 1 1/2 inches
Total: 8.25 inches lost & 1 inch gained in arms

Jess’s Measurements:

Chest: -2 inches
R. Arm: – 3/8 inch
L. Arm: -3/4 inch
Waist: – 2 3/4 inches
Hips: -2 inches
R. Thigh: -1 inch
L Thigh: – 3/4 inch
Total: 9.625 inches lost

 

Hammer & Chisel: Half Way There

We are officially halfway through The Master’s Hammer & Chisel, so we decided to do  a mid-program update to let everyone know how we are liking it so far.

Overall Opinions:

Jess: I am loving this program so far. Definitely different from any of the other Beachbody programs we have done. Although I can feel myself getting stronger, the workouts are continuously a challenge. After 4 weeks I have yet to get bored with the workouts which is also a bonus!

Spence: I like the alternation of the hammer and chisel workouts that keep my muscles continually guessing with what they need to do.  I am slowly getting better with the meal plan and seeing results from the program.  Hopefully the next 4 weeks will continue to be as beneficial.  We are only doing the basic workouts this round and will probably do a second round with the bonus workouts to try and maximize our results.

Favorite Workout:

Jess: Total Body Hammer

Spence: Hammer Plyometrics

Least Favorite Workout:

Jess: Iso Speed Hammer

Spence: Chisel…….all of them.  Turns out my balance needs a little fine tuning

Best/easiest thing:

Jess: Lifting & feeling myself getting stronger. Working out with Spence every day (not trying to be cheesy, I promise).

Spence: Getting up early and finishing the workout before the day starts is definitely the best part.  It’s also nice to watch Jess get stronger and to be able to help motivate her to get up early everyday (I  am being cheesey).

Most challenging thing:

Jess: BALANCE! I literally fall over every time we try to do Chisel Balance. Or the meal plan, I go over my carbs and healthy fat allowance almost every day.

Spence: The meal plan is by far the most difficult thing.  There is no category for cookies, ice cream, cheez its, and kraft macaroni and cheese…..bummer.

What we are looking forward to most over the next 4 weeks:

Jess: I am looking forward to seeing how my body continues to change and see how much weight I can continue to lift.

Spence: Continuing to build strength and hopefully learning to enjoy more carrots and less cookies.

Thoughts on Shakeology:

Jess: I love Shakeology so far! Cafe Latte is amazing, as is the chocolate, but I like Cafe Latte better. I have noticed a number of benefits including reduced cravings, improved digestion, increased energy, and hair and nail growth.

Spence: Shakeology is great and it has been very beneficial in filling in the gaps in my diet with the necessary nutrients that I don’t necessarily get otherwise.  Caffe latte is nice because you can just mix it with milk or water and it tastes great, but chocolate is also good because it is more versatile with the recipes you can use it in.

Transformation Pictures thus far:

Left (4 weeks ago) / Right (this week)

 

At Home Workouts

So I have been trying to decide topics that I can discuss on this blog so that I am updating more. Although I am still in the brainstorming process, when I was working out today a light bulb went off in my head, and alas the “At Home Workouts” post was born.

Depending on the week, I work out anywhere from three to six times per week. I often mix up my workouts (besides when doing a specific program or training for a half marathon/marathon), which often includes working out at home. I am fortunate to have a husband who has a degree in Health and Exercise Science, and got licensed as a personal trainer in his early 20s, so he has taught me a number of exercises that I currently do. I also have been very active in sports since I was little, so I learned a number of different exercises/ways to work out. However, I understand a number of people do not have these luxuries or knowledge, are just starting to work out for the first time, or do not have the money to get a gym membership. This is why I absolutely love at home workouts. Depending on the route you go, these workouts are free or cheaper than a gym membership, teach you how to do a variety of exercises, and many require very minimal or no equipment at all.

Below are links to some of my favorite at-home workouts, across different medias:

Youtube

XHit Daily: This has been my favorite youtube channel for at-home workouts for about 2 years now. The workouts are led by fitness trainers who teach you different exercises at home. Many of them require no equipment, although some require dumbbells or a medicine ball. My favorite thing about these videos is most of them are only about 10 minutes long. Therefore, you can do as many or as few as you want, you get variety in your workout, and the variety makes it more interesting/motivating.

BeFit: This youtube channel I used years ago and then rediscovered recently. The channel has a number of at-home workouts led by top fitness trainers. I have used this channel mostly for cardio workouts; however, they also have a ton of workouts focusing on different areas of the body such as legs, gluts, arms, and abs. It even includes the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Challenge. I have only done a couple videos from this channel, but the trainers are really motivating and I have really enjoyed them.

FitnessBlender: This channel is similar to the others in the sense that there is a variety of workouts that you can do at home. Everything on this channel is created by a husband and wife and there are over 450 workout videos in total. There is also an associated website which has workout programs. I will be honest, I do not find these videos as “motivating” as the other two channels; however, I do think they do an excellent job of explaining the different exercises and how to properly do them though. So if you are a beginner, I definitely think this is a good channel to check out.

A number of other youtube channels I have also used for workout routines, but not as often, include:

• Blogilates
• Tone It Up
• Yoga with Adriene
• POPSUGAR Fitness

Apps

Nike Training Club: This is my absolute favorite cell phone app for workouts. You can search a ton of different workouts focused on your goals (e.g. leaning out, strength, toning up, getting focused) and then choose specific programs based on how often you work out (e.g. beginner, intermediate, and advanced). Programs typically range from 15- 45 minutes, so you can choose the type you want based on how much time you have. Many workouts have some type of equipment, but you can also modify many of the moves to be equiptment free. You can pause each workout to watch a video demonstrating the proper way to do an exercise. There is also a great community feel if you create a profile. You can gain Nike Fuel Points and add friends. The best part? It is free for iOs and Android.

If you like running or want to start, Nike+ or MapMyRun are my two favorite running apps (obviously you would use these outside unless you have a treadmill at your house). Both track your distance, pace, length of run, and estimate calories burned. You can make a profile, connect with friends, and join challenges to motivate you to run. I used to use Nike+ a lot more, but have recently used MapMyRun more. They both are very good apps, it really just depends on your preference. Both are also free. Also, if you are just starting to get into running, you may want to check out the C25K app. I have never used it, but have heard positive things about it from beginner runners. There is a free version and also one that costs $1.99.

Bodyspace: This app comes from bodybuilding.com (a great website FYI. I definitely recommend it if you are beginning weight training, or even if you have been weight training for a while). You can find programs that fit your goals, level, gender, age, how many days you want to work out, etc. There s a community where you can post pictures, comments, etc. You can also make up your own workouts and track them. I will say, if you are working out at home and have a laptop/tablet that you can bring into the area you work out, I would recommend the website over the app. Also, although the app is free, you do need equipment to do the majority of the exercises.

Instagram

Dalispaige: Dalis is a recent graduate of Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Exercise Science. She is also a personal trainer and model. She posts quick workout videos that usually include 3-5 different moves focused on a certain area of the body, then tells you how many reps of each you should do. She also has a website http://dalisignited.com/ that includes a number of at-home, gym, and partner workouts.

BSKYFITNESS: Brianna is also a certified personal trainer that started her health and fitness journey back in 2010 after gaining 40 pounds. She is an avid promoter of health, fitness, confidence, a healthy mindset, and most important to me – balance. Although she does not post too many actual workouts on her Instagram account she has a website and a youtube channel where you can find workouts that she does, as well as a lot more health, fitness, and beauty information. Additionally, if you want to purchase a program from her, she offers a number of products and services.

Muffintopless: Savannah is not a dietician, counselor, personal trainer, doctor, or any other health care related professional; however, similar to Brianna, she turned her life around after living an unhealthy lifestyle in college. She is currently the editor for FitFemme Magazine. Speaking of which, you can go to FitFemme Magazine’s website, sign up for a free monthly subscription and download a PDF of their magazine for FREE! I downloaded their August issue today and did a great workout from it – another great fitness resource! Although Savannah does not post many workouts directly on her Instagram account, she has a website where you can find home workouts and other exercise-related things. She also sells different body programs and recipe books.

Programs for Purchase

T25: This is a BeachBody program led by Shaun T. It is a 10 week program that you do 25 minutes per day 5X per week (with a double day on the last day per week). There is an additional Gamma program (4 weeks) that you can buy, making it a 14 week program. I absolutely loved this program. Spence and I started it shortly after we got married and finished while I was in graduate school. Even with a busy schedule of work, moving, and school, it is easy to find 25 minutes per day. Although I have only done it once, I would definitely do it again. Every now and then I will take a workout from the program and do it as a stand alone. It does require a resistance band (which comes when you buy the program), but dumbbells and a mat are also recommended. There is also a nutrition program associated with it.

P90x: This is another BeachBody program that is led by Tony Horton. This program is 90 days and more intense than T25. Different workouts vary in time, but if I recall correctly (I did this 3 years ago) they range from 45 minutes to about an hour and a half and is 6 days per week. It does require equipment, which you will most likely have to buy. However, like T25, it also comes with a nutrition plan. The program is excellent, but it is time consuming. For Spence and me, it was hard to find a time that worked for both of us so that we could work out together. However, if you are doing it alone, you and your partner/roommate/workout buddy have similar work schedules, or if you have time to dedicate approximately an hour a day to working out, I would highly recommend it, because it is definitely worth it. Also, since P90x came out, there have been variations of the program that have also come out.

Okay, there are obviously a number of other youtube channels, apps, Instagram accounts, and programs for purchase out there that are good for at-home workout routines. You may also want to consult Pinterest for different at-home workouts; I have found many good ones there as well. These are just resources I have used in the past or currently, that I have found to give me a good workout at home.