Home Workout
Working out at home is one of the things to do that came into my mind since the community quarantine started. Even before the pandemic, I have been working out through dancing but not daily. I was following Fitness Marshall (Caleb Marshall) on Youtube for many years now and it has been a good source of cardio workout. Then I came across Blogilates (Cassey Ho), also a fitness guru on Youtube and she has a blog too. I have been following her workout calendar since the 2nd week of April until now. A few years ago, I wrote a blog “Why it’s Absolutely Okay to Workout When You’re NOT THAT FAT,” and I realized again why have I been working out for the past years. I want to take it up a notch this time, I challenged myself even harder even when I am at home. I am no fitness guru but I’d like to share the important lessons I learned from working out at home and why you need it too!
It improves my posture
The number one reason why I workout is that I have mild Scoliosis, and working out is apparently, essential. I have mentioned this first in my blog in 2018, the same year that I signed up for a gym membership. I learned a lot from my coach before, Sir Glenn, he taught me how to strengthen my back and my exercises are very guided as there are some moves and stances I should not do that would worsen my mild Scoliosis. I kept those in mind as I am working out at home this time. We should understand that bad posture leads to back, neck and shoulder pain, and even poor digestion. Bad posture can trigger heartburn and acid reflux. Ugh, acid reflux; I have gastritis and that is something I need to pay attention too to my body.
It makes me PHYSICALLY stronger
The community quarantine in my place does not allow senior citizens to go out. My parents are already over 60 yrs. old so I have to do many errands. We have bills payment and nourishments that I need to take care of. Each barangay is only given two times a week for the market day so when I go out, I need to buy enough to cover us for the whole week (so I do not keep going out!) at the most so this leads to heavier grocery bags! Man, I said to myself that I need to be resilient and stronger to be able to carry out my duties as a daughter. Carrying 1 kilo of rice, 1 kilo of chicken, 2 cartons of milk, fruits and vegetables and more in one go is not light as a feather! During the first weeks of quarantine, I really struggled even when I bring along my luggage with me. As I keep on working out, I realize how stronger I can get and it’s getting easier for me to carry all those essential needs! The harmony of strong arms, back, core and legs kept me going.
It makes me MENTALLY stronger
I don’t know if that makes sense in the psychological aspect. 😊 I just learned that when working out, it releases feel-good hormone; the Dopamine. One of the lessons I learned from working out at home is that it increases Endorphin levels. Endorphins are our body’s natural pain reliever, which our body produces in response to stress or discomfort thus improves our mood. So, whenever I feel cranky, irritated and angry, I release the negative energies through working out. Blogilates have been teaching a mix of Yoga and Pilates.
It has improved my sleep
I mostly experience Insomnia before I started working out a few years ago. When I started getting back to a regular workout routine, my sleeping cycle has improved. I usually sleep at 2 or 3 am, now, it’s like 11 pm or 12mn. Uhm, still an improvement, right? Working out during the day helps me to start the day with a high note and then puts me into a deep sleep at night.
It has led me to good eating habits
Mostly. I love to eat, okay, I mean, don’t we all? Hehe. Anyways, whenever I watch Cassey Ho, a.k.a. Blogilates, she reminds me that working out isn’t enough, I should also follow good eating habits like eating clean and at least having one cheat meal a week. I repeat, one cheat meal, not one cheat day. Hahaha, she definitely emphasized that too in one of her videos. I religiously eat rice less and sometimes (depending on the viand cooked at home) I do not eat rice at all. I lessened refined sugar (as I still eat chocolates) like the sachets of Swiss Miss and milk tea takeouts (this is really hard for me coz I love milk tea!). I already can’t remember the last time I drank softdrinks or eat instant noodles (does ramen noodles count though?), but I also eat a few chips but rarely. It’s all about balance. I have been drinking a lot of water now that I know I am just at home.
Consistency is key
When you get a job, you have to commit that you can do and will do your job. The same thing with working out. One should be consistent not just during this quarantine. I hope I would keep going even after this pandemic! There are times that I stopped working out like straight 3 days (because of red days) or some days I just felt lazy. That is why as you can see in my featured photo, I barely got the abs. LOL! But, comparing to my waistline in February which was about 28″-30”, my waistline now is surprisingly 24”! I didn’t even think of checking my waistline measurement until when I need to make sure that the jogging pants I am ordering online are the correct size, TBH. I still have a bit of flab especially on my lower abdomen, so hard to burn but I ‘m getting there. 🙂
Improves Self-esteem
I don’t intend to look like the Miss Universe or anyone else. Again, I learned from Cassey Ho, even her, she used to imitate other people and almost gone under surgery. She shared in one of her videos that we should be happy with our body, exercising is not being vain about your body. Confidence is something internal, not external. Also, don’t you love the feeling that you have accomplished a routine that you think you can’t do? It’s difficult but you can do it! “Accepting your body as it is and you know you’re on the journey that there are ups and downs, everything’s fine, it’s all good. Just don’t look at the mirror and like hate yourself because it is totally pointless to be mean to your body and send negative vibes to your body. It’s about GETTING STRONGER AND FINDING YOUR HAPPINESS EVERY SINGLE DAY.”
This video motivated me to push myself, plus, all the fat goes to my tummy so I always follow this video and also her #7dayAbsChallenge
I didn’t get the abs after 7 days, I just workout almost everyday for the past 2 months. Baby steps until I get closer to the goal. I just want this working out at home thing to be a lifestyle, then get the good results afterward! 🙂
Sources:
https://www.blogilates.com/are-your-workouts-not-as-good-on-your-period-heres-why/
https://www.alliedtravelcareers.com/blog/8-negative-effects-of-bad-posture/
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#1
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Looks amazin!
Hihi thank you !
This is very inspiring to everyone out there having a second thought from working out. I’m working out from home ever since this ECQ and GCQ has been imposed. I also improve not just my physical attributes but also my eating habit. I agree!
I appreciate your approval, fam! 🙂
I used to work out in a gym and the dance studio. However, due to COVID 19 lockdown I’m stocked home like everybody else. I am glad that you’re able to manage to take care of your fitness even at home.
Yes, I tried sa gym way before the pandemic, but it didn’t work well for me. Home workout is going well. 🙂
The goal keep us mentally fit and resilient is one of the key survival in this pandemic. Anxiety wreaks havoc to majority and this hinders productivity. Proper exercise plays a big role in this – releasing the happy hormones.
Exactly, you got the point there, Jan. Thank you too! 🙂 and pls take care, do some exercise. 🙂
I find it hard doing my workout at home because I am so used to working out to the gym. I agree that i regular exercise improves sleep quality. Will try to workout later hehe
hehe hope this inspires you to continue working out Paolo! 🙂
Currently, I have been following a 2-week shred challenge workout too and I totally agree with you about physical strength. Dati kase when I don’t workout, I feel so weak. I’m glad to see that you’re consistent on doing it because me, I haven’t been working out for a week already. This post somehow inspires me to get back on track! 🙂
Yes hope this helps! 🙂 take care!
Blogilates is killing me everytime. So happy for your improvements. I hope I’ll see changes in my body too. I agree with the better sleep. I spend more than 9 hours sleeping and thank God insomnia is gone!
Thank you Sarrah, just make it as a lifestyle! 🙂
This post really motivated me to try working out at least once a week. I have such bad posture and didn’t really care about what I ate kaya medyo nakakamotivate to see your progress. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Yes, I hope this helps!
Aww! I kinda feel bad for myself kasi I didn’t really work out at home. But seeing the benefits honestly encourage me 🙂
Yes, Dawn, hope it inspires you .:)
Congratulations on having a more fit body! I actually feel the same. Ever since I started working out, I find myself sleepy at 10 pm. It feels good to sleep 8 hours a day!
Yes a good sleep equals good productivity the next day hehe
That is correct! Working out has a lot of benefits for the practitioner. And exercising at home can actually make you more consistent with it. 😉
I suggest that you add deep breathing exercises to what you do: https://www.radrookies.com/6-ways-your-breathing-is-wrong%ef%bb%bf-breathe-deeper/
Thank you for the advice on deep breathing! Yes I touched that subject too on my exercises.
Mabuti ka pa nakakapag workout. I’m not into work-out talaga, but recently my gardening hobby makes me body stretch rin parang workout 😀
Hehehe pwede narin, basta you are walking. 🙂
Ang galing na you were able to achieve that in just a few months. Ang tamad tamad ko kasi magwork out. haha Will check out the vid and blogilates #7dayAbsChallenge nga, baka mamotivate din ako.
I really didn’t target the 7 days lang. Basta I do it lang every day,. 🙂 you can do it!
Oh hey! I follow The Fitness Marshall on Youtube too! I also work out by dancing, either through Youtube videos or by playing Just Dance with global players. I think having a sense of competition motivates me even more. 🙂 All that’s left for me to do is stay consistent every week!
Yes, I really love Caleb! 🙂 his choreo is fun!
Reading this motivates me to continye working out at home, even when the gyms are closed. Like sure, it’s so hard to get out of bed and u can feel to lazy to even move, but it is just super satisfying to finish a workout! Keep at it gurl!!
I have a separate room for working out so I can separate the snooze place to workout place. hehe. Thank you, Christian.
i did also tried working out at home. kasi wala naman din akong choice kasi walang time especially extra budget. sakin pag routine medyo tinatamad na after a few days kaya mas gusto ko angsasayaw na lang.
I always get back to dancing from time to time. 🙂 good cardio din naman yun
I wish I am as consistent as you are. But one thing exercise really gives us is a good night’s sleep. ang sarap ng pakiramdam the next day.
I hope I have the leisure to workout. Anyway, I just consider taking care of the kids as a form of workout.
Working out really has a lot of benefits! And it is a good advice to have it while we are under quarantine. We gotta stay healthy and fit!
just like you ECQ leads me to good eating habit and cooking as well 🙂
Great to read