Lazy nights call for lazy dinners. But thankfully, lazy can still equal delicious!
I had an Amy’s burrito for the very first time. Now this is how frozen meals are done.
I also finished off the ginormous batch of kale I made yesterday. I kid you not when I say I ate at least a pound of kale over the past 24 hours.
how to not hate at-home workouts.
Earlier today I mentioned how exercising at home doesn’t come as easily to me as exercising at the gym. That’s actually something I’ve been struggling with for almost two weeks now since I’ve been living at the shore (wow, has it really been that long?). That didn’t use to be the case, though, so I’ve been left wondering…what gives?
I think that a huge part of it is that ever since I started taking classes at the gym, everything else kind of pales in comparison. I guess I didn’t realize how much I’ve grown to love classes! Furthermore, there’s just something about willfully going to the gym that makes getting a great workout much more possible.
On the bright side, I haven’t given up on exercise all together. Sure, I may not be as active as when I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, but I’m keeping up. The majority of my workouts have been some sort of improv (including strength, Pilates, and Yoga moves), with an exercise DVD thrown in here and there. Still, it takes a bit more effort than usual to actually do the darn thing.
Here are the main ways that I manage to keep up with at-home workouts:
1. Exercise first thing in the morning.
Because I don’t look forward to at-home workouts like I look forward to going to the gym, I’d rather do it first thing than dread it all day long.
2. Find alone time.
Our shore house isn’t as big as our house at home, so I can’t sneak away whenever I want to exercise. I don’t like it when people watch me exercise, so I find a way to compromise with my family members to get time in the living room all to myself.
3. Watch television.
I’m a big fan of the morning talk shows, so they keep me occupied while I’m doin’ my thang. It makes the time go by much faster.
4. Get some Bang For Your Buck.
If you’re like me and aren’t necessarily thrilled by at-home workouts, keep it short and sweet. For example, I often do a 30-minute routine of strength training with simple cardio moves mixed in (like jumping jacks) with no resting inbetween. Trust me – you will be sweating.
- What about you? How do you stay consistent with exercising at home?
- What’s your favorite “lazy” dinner?
I”m just like you!! I rely on those Group X classes so much. I never want to miss yoga or dance
The same goes for night-time at home workouts. Had I known Hubby and I would miss our gym window (it’s too late for us to go now… because of bed time) I would’ve gone to do speed work this morning!!
Total bummer:(
Also, I’ve been living on cherries lately!!
A pound of kale…danggg girl you’re going to have superpowers hah
I sort-of consider running outside a home workout…so I’ll say I completely agree with doing it in the morning! It sets a good tone for the rest of the day
I can’t believe you’re JUST trying Amy’s burritos!! They are definitely my go-to lazy dinner .. topped with Greek yogurt + hot sauce and a baked potato on the side = PERFECTION
I love working out at home…hate the gym! It does take a lot to hold myself accountable but I have a routine that I stick to. Get home from work, eat, relax, blog, work out! The gym stresses me out…I am way to conscious of everyone else there! I like it just being me
LOVE Amy’s burritos! I was surprised how much I ended up liking them the first time I tried one. Working out at home is what dreams are made of for me. I grew up in a gym since my mom works at one but nothing makes me happier than using my own elliptical every morning and busting out my free weights for my favorite video routines. <3
I’m actually the opposite-I used to hate at home workouts and only feel like the gym gave me a workout-now its the opposite! love at home stuff and I still love the gym as well. Ive been loving Insanity workotus AND circuits from How Sweet Eats!
I started off exercising by doing it at home and for YEARS, that was all I knew. I love that you have privacy and you don’t have to drive somewhere and make yourself all pretty (or at least presentable) but I love the variety of cardio machines at the gym, along with the weights.
Amy’s do frozen dinners RIGHT!!! I have yet to have one I’ve disliked.
Working out at home is hard for sure. We were in a workout rut ever since we quit our gym membership, which is we decided to the Insanity. It has helped, but I think working out first thing is key!
I think it’s all about getting in the habit. I’ve worked out in the morning for years and it is just a part of my day!
I totally commented about the gym in the other post ooops!
I’ve always wanted to try Amy’s but being in Australia they only have canned products here.
Getting an at-home workout done FIRST thing in the morning is definitely a good plan for me as well. I love the list you made, I totally agree, and it makes it a lot easier when you’re watching tv, or being instructed by a DVD too.
Amy’s meals never have failed me
that buritto looks delicious! And super fast? Yes please!
Enjoy your night!
Meg
Yea I agree with what you said about exercise classes at the gym. There’s a lot of us girls who have become groupies and I’ve also made friends with the instructors. Therefore, it’s become like a family! Today we celebrated our instructor’s 50th birthday at the beginning of class. And man, she still kicks our tail, age is just a number!
I always work out at home, and having a set time to do it (like morning) is a great tip. I also make fun music playlists on YouTube (can’t haul a laptop to the gym to listen to music you don’t want to pay for!) and plan out a workout ahead of time (whether it’s a couple week program or just what I will do tomorrow) so it’s harder to back out. I do something like fitnessista dot com’s Summer Shape Up or workouts from magazines to give my workouts a direction (rather than just doing random workouts everyday, although that’s fun sometimes too). The good thing about working out at home is you can have random dance sessions when a good song comes on and no one is watching
!
amy’s burritos are impressive for sure!! & i like your tips about at home workouts… i definitely feel less motivated when i am at home
I don’t find any motivation to workout at home, unless you count running. And even with running I’m outside running the neighbourhood. I could never be the type with a stationary bike or exercise dvds, I need the gym. Seeing the people sweat and hearing the heavy breathing helps to keep me motivated!
Lazy dinner — English Muffin pizza (just did a post with it this morning!)
At home workouts — running outside!!
Goodnight!
I love home and gym workouts, but at home Court and I follow workout programs like Insanity, ChaLean Extreme, and as of right now TurboFire. They are all just as intense as the gym, and confuse the muscles.
XO~Whit
I am on the only person in my house who eats kale so I go through massive amounts as well! For at home, my go to workouts are the free ones at http://www.bodyrock.tv/. They are all MORE intense than my gym workouts, quick and often a full body, cardio and strength combined.
I used to LOVE going to the gym and taking classes-before I moved to Mozambique! When I went home for Christmas, I bought a pass and was taking three classes per day just because I could and it was SO much fun.
Since last May or so, I have succeeded in working out at home 5-6 days a week, primarily with workout DVDs and running mixed in. The key to success for me is waking up early and just doing it. I know I feel better the rest of the day afterwards. However in the afternoon, while it was a lot easier to drag my butt to the gym, it is WAY ahrder to motivate myself to jump around and get sweaty in my bedroom when I would rather take a nap. I am also trying to change it up a bit, with little routines I make up from self.com and stuff like that! I miss the gym though!!!
We have elliptical in our garage, so my “home” workouts are pretty much the same ones I get at the gym. That being said, I definitely push myself more at the gym for some reason- even if I’m on the same machine, I think other people really motivate me!
Those Amy’s burritos are amazing. The tortilla part is the best! My favorite lazy dinner has to be a PB sammie or cereal. Yes, I’m THAT lazy
Hope you’re having a great week love!! xoxo
Favorite lazy dinner: grilled cheese and tomato soup! I also try to throw in some frozen veggies for added oomph. I am not an exercise-at-home person, so I can’t really comment on that, but I agree that I would have to do it in the morning!
I like grilled cheese or cereal for a lazy dinner. Lazy for me means not having to wash a ton of dishes afterward. As for keeping up exercising at home, I don’t. That’s why I need a gym. Without one, I just don’t do it.
I am a fellow gym class junkie! I pref to run outside so running at home, no big deal but when it comes to workout videos or strength training at home I don’t push myself as much as I do in the group setting. Yoga – I love to do at home and at the gym, different vibes. My go to “no one else is home so don’t dirty dishes” dinner is grilled cheese and tomato soup, <3 Love!
I am awful about working out at home, although I continue to buy new toys thinking that will change.
Great tips. I do a lot of my pilates/yoga at home and it’s helping.
I have to do videos so it feels like a class with the instruction and if its a good video the energy still comes across like in a class. It’s not the same, but better than trying to do my own thing by myself for sure.
Working out at home is really hard for me also. I definitely agree with finding time alone. I have 3 roommates so it’s hard to get the living room to myself and my room is very squishy when working out to say the least. I think good variety is also key. There are lots of different videos that can be found online.
I’m facing the exact same thing right now. I’m used to having our rec center 2 blocks away, but now its really hard to work out at home. I also still try to do work out DVD’s or something, but it’s just not quite the same.
I hate working out at home and I avoid it at all costs! I love classes and going to the gym. There is something about going somewhere working out and then coming home… it’s just better for me somehow. If I have to workout at home I will a DVD or a strength routine with some cardio to some loud music to keep me pumped up. for me the next best thing to going to the gym is just running outside because at least I’m not IN the house then.
When I work out at home, I go for a run outdoors. I find this so much harder than running on a treadmill so I can never go for as long!
My favourite lazy dinners are stir fries, but those still takes a bit of work. I need to try out those Amy’s burritos!
I struggle with at home workouts, too. I just lack the motivation! I agree that a tv does help.
I am all about early morning exercise, I think it is the best way to start the day!
I totally agree with exercising at home first thing in the morning! It’s hard to come home at the end of the work day and exercise in your living room when the couch is calling your name…and it’s RIGHT THERE.
I used to have the worst time exercising at home. The motivation just doesn’t stick as long as if I make the effort to get out and go. Which is why if I’m working out at home, it’s usually by dvd. Jillian yelling at me will usually keep me from stopping…
I totally agree about at home workouts. I definitely think you don’t have to hit the gym to get a quality work out, it just takes a little more motivation. It’s harder when you don’t have an instructor helping you one on one or other people in a class to help keep you going. I think working out in the morning helps a lot, which is also true for gym work outs (at least for now). I like to invest in good dvds, too, because I really like gym strength training classes.
My favorite lazy dinner is pasta with tomato sauce and lots and lots of vegetables! Or a big ol salad with anything and everything I can find in the fridge.