In the past few years, for many different reasons, I have gained some weight, and to not only live a healthier life but to lose some of that extra weight I started working out. I work out at home, mainly because of two reasons. The first one is the fact that when you go to the gym, there are always people that overuse the equipment as if they own it, and you instead of being able to use them, have to lose your time waiting for them to finish having a social life or playing with their phones. And the other reason, when it comes to having walks or runs, even if there are specific places to do so, you either feel overcrowded, have to deal with people who feel like they own the streets and finally, you have to be on high alert as it’s a dangerous city, so you don’t really relax when you are trying to. 

I follow some Youtube videos and also videos and routines from some programs I paid for. During the pandemic, I got the equipment and we even got a treadmill. This way I could do everything I needed at home and even get my steps in too. How have I been tracking my progress? The program I paid for, came with a lot of information and even an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of literally everything. From how you feel, how you sleep, etc. to how many kgs and cm you lose. Another way I track my progress is on the scale and with a measuring tape, as it is necessary to fill that spreadsheet. I usually use the app that came with my scale to keep better track and information about my health.

After two months, I lost about 4 kg and around 10 cm in each important part of my body, waist, bust, arms, legs, and hips. Did I change my diet? To achieve these results, I just didn’t wake up early and followed many workouts, and did around an hour on the treadmill. I did have to change my diet a little bit too. Of course, I believe that if you want to lose weight you need to make some changes and cut off some foods, but I also believe everything in life has to be balanced. While I have tried to cut off as many carbs as possible and added a lot more vegetables. I also believe that every once in a while, you can eat some fast food and any cravings. But everything should be eaten in balance.

I firmly believe that if you force yourself to not eat something, it will eventually become somehow play games with your mental health, which can stress you and eventually force you to eat not only what you didn’t want to, but also even more than that. I’ve been following a diet, provided by another program, which has been thought to allow you to lose weight or even gain it, but without having to restrict yourself from your favorite food. How I scheduled my workouts? For me, if I really want to achieve my goals, I make a big effort. And this effort for me is waking up extremely early in the morning, around 5 am, to be able to have enough time to work out but also to work and go on my day during the rest of the day. You might wonder why? Besides the fact that you feel amazing and with a renewed energy after it. For me, working out in the morning means it is the right time to do it. I know myself very well and I know, that by the end of the day, the only thing I want to do is lay in my bed and relax.

By the afternoon or the night, my body doesn’t have any more energy to work out so I know that if I did it late, I wouldn’t do anything at all. But waking up earlier comes easier for me, and I usually have more energy in the morning to exercise. Now as I work out at home and have limited equipment, but still very useful, I follow some of the workouts from the programs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and then I do follow my favorite YouTube videos the rest of the days. Sometimes I work out on the weekends but I tend to just relax during those days… which is a great idea so your body to bounce back to normal after strenuous workouts. Changes after 2 months As I mentioned before, I lost some cm and a few kilograms following this program and eating as balanced and healthy as I possibly could. But one of the most important things I’ve noticed in my body is the fact some clothes now fit way better than they used to. There are pieces that I couldn’t wear before that now I can, and that’s a big win for me. Another big change I’ve noticed is the fact that I feel like my belly feels less bloated. I simply hate the feeling of my tummy looking huge and also me feeling that way too, and it was not good for my mental health.

My best advice If you want to start a fitness lifestyle this is my advice. First and foremost, don’t do it because people keep telling you that you need to lose weight or that you look fat. Do it because you want to change for yourself because you want to feel and be healthy. Second of all, do what makes you feel good and without stress.

If you work out feeling stressed you will only stress your muscles and, in the end, you could end up with an injury. If you feel like working out at home is the way to go, then do it, and if you rather go to the gym, then do it. There’s no rule on what to do and where to do it as long as you feel great. Also, if you can afford it, pay for any program online or the advice and routines of a personal trainer. If not there are always great videos online on Youtube that can help you achieve your goals. And you’ll find something for everyone, from beginners to advanced levels.

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