For one reason or another, in the past couple of weeks, my life has been organized in a way where working out at home is really the only place I can squeeze in 30-45 min of workout time, then change my clothes and head out.

The big challenge with a home workout is focusing enough on the workout and completing the whole thing. Your best bet is to first have an outlined workout that has a warm-up, workout section and cool down. For me, I will write out a workout for myself based on what I want to do that day and what I did last time I worked out. I will have a 5 min warm-up including a little stretching, a 40-45 min workout section (or 20 min workout section depending on time), a 5 min cool down and a 5 min stretch.

For you, maybe a workout DVD, YouTube video or an app will work. If you are an experienced exerciser, you may want to write out your own workout based on what kind of body parts you want to work and what kind of intensity you want to work out at. Once you have a workout in front of you then you can put all of your efforts into focusing on your workout only. This task is much harder at home than at a gym…but it CAN be done!

Second, you have to find the time to do it and then commit to it. (I can promise that you will always be glad you did.)  If you think that you have “no time,” you probably just have to prioritize. For one week, make an effort to find 20-30 min at home for a workout, 3x a week. If you think it’s worth the effort, then keep it up.

Third, invest in some equipment. You don’t have to go crazy, but purchasing a good mat is imperative. This will be pivotal for your comfort and enable you to get the most out of your yoga poses and stretches. I love the MobileMat because it has unparalleled cushioning and a non-slip surface that truly will help you perform poses you didn’t think you would ever be able to do.  You may also want to get some light weights and resistance bands.

I have been working out at home for the last four weeks, I still only plan out one week at a time and I still really have to focus but…I have been able to do it and my fitness has not suffered!

If you find yourself having to get your workouts in at home and haven’t quite gotten started or have slowed down, make a plan and get to it! If you are already working out at home but have lost some excitement about it, get a new workout routine. Keep changing it up and have a selection of things from cardio, to yoga, to dancing, to martial arts and weight training with free weights. Some are more fun than others, but the point is, once you have completed it, you did some kind of workout.

Good Luck!