Let's talk about supplies...

Alrighty...do tell....have you been doing the workout I posted??  It's been almost a week, how many times have you done it?  Is it getting easier? 

I have another workout coming, in the meantime I REALLY want you to strive for doing something active every day for at least 30 minutes.  Ideally, I'd like at least 3 of those workouts to be the one I posted or something similar that involves weight bearing exercise and cardio.  I went for a run today, and it felt really good to get out since I didn't yesterday, even though my butt is totally sore from some crazy squats I did on Sunday.  What did you do? How did you feel?  If the answer is nothing, I still want you to answer the second question, how did/do you feel about that?  This is a mind over matter thing, folks, I want you to really think about it.  Did you feel too tired to work out today so you didn't?  Do you feel bad that you skipped?  Do you feel more rested because you skipped?  Maybe you did workout today, maybe you really didn't want to, but you did.  Are you proud of yourself?  You totally should be :) 

Now, I have a secret to tell you...shhhhh....I worked in gyms for a loooooong time.  I've worked in an all women's facility, I've worked in a sweaty 'meat head' gym, I've worked in a shiny, flashy gym where everyone looked waay too good to break a sweat. I have worked in gyms and worked out in gyms consistently for probably 10 years easy.  Okay, that's not the secret.  Here's the secret...I haven't set foot in a gym in probably close to two years.  Seriously.  NO JOKE.   I have a gym IN MY SUBDIVISION people!!  Truthfully, I like the gym, I know that a lot of people can't relate to that-- but I do.  I've just found because the subdivision gym has limited hours and the regular gyms are 15-20 minutes away, combined with having two children in activities, two jobs, and a husband with an unpredictable schedule, that the gym wasn't working for me.  Guess what?  It's cool.  I don't need no stinkin' gym. And neither do you, if you so choose.  Now, before you start scrolling down to look for the 800 number where you can order my awesome all-in-one-10 minutes a day-folds for easy storage-doubles as a toaster oven exercise machine..listen up, because I would never sell you such crap!  If you have access to a gym and it works well for you that's great, by all means, rock the gym.  But, if you are like a lot of people and don't have access to a gym because of distance, transportation, membership costs, child care, whatever, I'm telling you not to worry about it.   There is no reason you can't get it great shape at home.  So today I am presenting you with a "wish list" of items that are likely to make appearances in the workouts I post.  

You can probably snag all this stuff for between 50 and 60 smackers TOTAL.  I understand that's not in everyone's budget, so maybe you have to purchase one item at a time, or not at all, you can always improvise without them if necessary.  Again, I'm just throwing it out there, information is power, people--do with it what you will.  I will say that compared to a gym membership or some fancy Bowflex thing, $50-60 is a bargain, no?  Don't forget to check around too, a LOT of people have this stuff collecting dust in their garage and would probably be more than happy to loan it or sell it to you cheap! 

-Set of dumbbells 5-8 lbs.  Stick with 5lbs. if you are new or just returning to working out, this is definitely something you may be able to snag from a relative, friend, neighbor, if you don't already have a set buried under you old Richard Simmons videos.
-Fitness Ball/Yoga Ball/Balance Ball  All different names for the same thing,  a big inflatable ball (most come with a pump) that you can sit on, lay on, etc.  You can get these just about anywhere, including Target, Walmart, etc, for under $20 in most cases.  These are great because you can do a ton with them, and just stuff it in a corner when you are done, or even deflate it if you are really limited on space.
-Resistance Bands These come in different resistances and might be a little harder to find.  I order mine online, here is the link  http://www.power-systems.com/p-2860-versa-tube.aspx  They cost between 6-8 bucks depending on which resistance level you order.  I have these in green (light resistance), red (medium), and blue (heavy).  The green is a great starting band, but if you do order I'd go ahead and order at least a green and red since you will be paying shipping (usually about $6-7), you can also think about combining with a friend who is looking to get fit.  Bands are fabulous, they offer a lot of versatility, they are cheap, and they take up NO space at all, you can even pack them in a suitcase if you travel a lot!

So there you have it, that's it.  Three things.  I bet you could get it all for under $50 if you're bargain-shopper savvy.  So whaddya think?  Do you already own any of this stuff?  Do you own some giant piece of equipment that you now hang your clothes on, tell the truth.  Truthfully, I own an elliptical that I rarely use, I prefer to run outside, but I don't hang clothes on it, it's way too far from my closet.  That is all. Now go workout!