Were 2 ½ months into 2010, are you still sticking to your new year’s resolutions? Have you achieved any of the things you said you wanted to accomplish? Are you still going to the gym? I can go on and on but I won’t. I just wanted to show you that many people make the same resolutions every year and not keep them. I tell all my students of the 21 Day Challenge to always have a goal in mind. Goals especially for weight loss need to be realistic and measurable.

Now if you’re feeling a little sad or let down because you had good intentions on sticking with your resolutions of trying to lose weight, or workout more but didn’t, don’t be upset we’ve all been there. Here’s a simple solution that I think can help. Why not bring the gym to you? Gym membership can cost as much as $45.00 a month/$540.00 a year. If you’re not going to use the gym member ship then why give them that money without getting anything in return? I’m pretty sure you can use an extra $540 a year for something else, know I can.

Working out at home can have several benefits; it saves you time, money and headache (fighting traffic during rush hour to get to the gym). It also takes discipline, a schedule and space. The main benefit of working out at home is you don’t have to get up and go anywhere!! If you’re a home body like me then that’s right up your alley. To be honest that’s how I started when I realized that I needed to lose weight. I would run on the treadmill 15 minutes at a time and build up to running for an hour. Then as I progressed with my workout at home I rejoined a gym to increase my workout intensity. Being dedicated to working out takes time to develop, but you can. You have to make it a priority and put it on your “to do” list for the day, even if you just 15 minutes a day.

Working out at home may not be for everyone. There are some ladies that feel that in order for them to get a good workout they have to go to the gym and I totally understand but having a home gym can be a backup if for some reason you can’t make it. A home gym offer convenience and privacy. Here are a few at home suggestions to get you started:

1. Dumbbells
2. Stability ball
3. Yoga Mat
4. Workout DVD’s
5. Resistance bands
6. Treadmill (optional if space allows)
7. TV (workout channel Direct TV 261 Fit-TV)
8. Internet (www.fittv.com)
9. Wii Fit

As you can see I am trying to help you eliminate all the excuses for not at least starting a workout routine. Now, if you’re saying “LaMonica I don’t have any money to buy dumbbells, resistance band, stability ball or treadmill.” That’s fine you can always use 2 food cans as dumbbells or gallon jugs, pair of old nylon stockings (panty hose) for resistance bands and several pillows or towels as a stability ball (core), walk up and down that stairs in your home at a consistent speed for 15 min. NO EXCUSES! Students of the 21 Day Challenge know exactly what I’m talking about. We spend 21 days training at home.

If you’re still not sure of working out at home I want to you to challenge yourself and give it a try. You can get the same gym results at home.