I started off on my fitness journey last year and was only just beginning to adapt and enjoy the gym when the lockdown happened. With my motivation still at a high, I pushed myself to workout from home. Yes, I am also one of those annoying people on Instagram who keep posting their home workouts. But it’s one of the things that keeps me motivated to stay committed to fitness – a task that doesn’t come naturally to me. So what worked? What helped me stay motivated?
Scheduling a fixed time
With home work and work from home, it would have been easy to push my workout down the daily priority list and do it when I found the time. But I found myself being more regular when I actually scheduled it for the same time every day – morning at about 7 am.
This setting aside a fixed time helped me to not overthink scheduling a short workout and then feel guilty when I couldn’t.
It’s a bit like putting together and sticking to a to-do list and then knocking off the toughest task on your to-do list. It leaves you energized and your mind free to tackle all the other stuff.
The Gear
Stretching in your pyjamas does not count as a workout! Well, maybe on some days that’s all one can be motivated to do. But dressing up exactly like I would when going to the gym helped. Gymwear, trainers, a cool cap – everything to get me in the mood. First of all it is essential for a good workout that you be in the right clothes. Secondly this will help you to get serious about the workout.
The Equipment
We were lucky that we had a couple of dumbbells, a yoga mat and stretch band at home. But here’s the thing. You don’t really need fancy equipment to workout at home. Bodyweight exercises, yoga and functional training will take you a long way. The minute lockdown eased, we ordered a set of weights from Amazon because we clearly don’t see ourselves going to the gym for some time. I’m linking below the set we bought .
RV Home Gym Combo Exercise Set with Dumbbells Plates and Dumbbell Rods (20KG Set)
Daily Workout Regime
Many of us feel lost about what our daily workout regime should be. Left to myself I would have resorted to squats and crunches everyday simply because of a lack of imagination and structure on what I should do for 30-45 minutes.
What helped was to follow several Instagram accounts and YouTube channels where the fitness content resonated with me. It helped me get creative with my workout, not be at a loss for exercises and stay inspired.
Here are some channels that I follow and have always found very helpful to put together daily workouts:
The Environment
It’s difficult to convert your home into a workout arena, day after day. From finding space to figuring out a music playlist, all of this requires work. But if you have the will there will be a way.
Design your workout to not take up too much space. At the same time, any space is game. Our living room became the quasi gym. We have now reached a point where we are not even moving the equipment to a storage area. It’s just too much work!
A good music playlist is a good idea. I first tried leaving instructions with Alexa but then moved to streaming Gaana.com on the TV. From RD Burman, to 70s Bollywood retro I tried it all, music that my gym would NEVER play!!
On days when I couldn’t play very loud music because the
hubby had an early concall, I resorted to borrowing my husband’s Apple AirPods Pro
It’s been more than 2 months and while I don’t work out everyday, I’ve managed to stay regular. The biggest gain has been a happy surge of endorphins, making it easy to deal with these anxious times.
Find yourself a corner, a terrace, a room where you can work out for 30 minutes 4-5 times a week. Trust me, you’ll feel good.
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