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Lyndsi lost 104 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Proud mom Lyndsi lost 104 pounds the old fashioned way, by reducing her calories and working out.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Lyndsi weight loss photo

“Hello, My name is Lyndsi Steel. I’m mixed, black and white. I’ve lost 104 pounds all naturally, just by eating 1200-1500 calories a day, drinking 8 bottles of water, and working out 6 days a week. Also, I cut out  red meat.

Motivation: My motivation is my kids and my mamma.  My mother died from diabetes and high blood pressure! I didnt want to be next and leave my kids on this earth without me.

Changing my eating habits: I only ate 1200-1500 calories a day! No red meat, just chicken and fish. Portion control played a big roll!! Nothing drank nothing but bottles of water all day and ate lots of green leaft veggies. I eat breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack and dinner. I trained my body to eat at certain times; 7am breakfast, 10am snack, 12 noon lunch, 3pm snack, 6:30 super and nothing after 7:00 pm.

My Workouts: I love to dance so i did Hip Hop abs and Zumba mainly. I work out for at least an hour a day, if not more, monday-saturday.

Weight: My starting weight was 320 pounds and my current weight is 216 pounds.

How long did it take?: 1 year. I was loosing 4-6 pounds a week at first than it slowed up.

My advice to others:  I advise people to keep on keeping on. Even if you have a rough day start fresh the next day. Allow yourself at least one cheat day. No matter how much you move, every little bit helps. When I first started I could only do 15-20 minute of a workout dvd!!  Also, look nice while you are working out.  Reward yourself with a new hot workout outfit!”

What is Green Coffee Bean Extract?

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Green coffee beans are the latest thing to take the weight-loss world by storm. Like all products promoted for weight loss the question is always “How much of the claim is marketing hype and how much will the product actually help you lose weight?”. Just like many other promoted weight loss products, this isn’t an easy question to either answer when it comes to green coffee bean extract. Green coffee bean extract can be both hype and help for those seeking ways to promote weight loss; understanding how it may work will help you determine if it is right for you.

What is it?

Green Coffee Bean ExtractGreen coffee bean extract is made from unroasted coffee beans. The extract is thought to minimize the caffeine content of the bean while preserving the chlorogenic acid levels it contains. It is the chlorogenic acid that has shown promise in early clinical studies in promoting weight loss. The acid acts to increase metabolism and to slow the absorption of fat from food intake. When you combine a supplement with these properties with a controlled diet and exercise plan, you may see an increase in the rate of fat loss. Chlorogenic acid has not been confirmed as enough of an influence on metabolism and fat absorption to promote weight loss without the combined diet and exercise program. Unfortunately, it is often marketed as a wonder supplement that will allow you to eat anything, do nothing and still lose weight. There is no known supplement that can fulfill those claims.

How did it become popular?

If Green Coffee Bean Extract isn’t the answer for effortless weight loss, how did it rise to the top of the weight loss market so fast? One major factor is that Dr. Oz brought it to everyone’s attention on his show. You know Dr. Mehmet Oz…the board certified heart surgeon who first came to notice when Oprah introduced him on her show as ‘America’s Doctor.’ It is an understatement to say that Dr. Oz is a qualified cardiothoracic surgeon and physician. He is greatly respected in his field for his work and continues to perform surgery and do research while maintaining a presence on television with his own show. The criticism of Dr. Oz’s form of “medutainment” is that while he may promote certain supplements or practices, he very rarely endorses any as actually working. His audience misses this fine line. While Dr. Oz performed a limited test using 100 women over the span of 2 weeks on Green Coffee Bean Extract, the results were no different than if those women had simple walked 15 minutes a day and controlled their calorie intake. Regardless of this, if a product is mentioned on his show it gains much media attention and is assumed by the public to be endorses by him with the full weight of his professional standing. Dr. Oz has never endorsed Green Coffee Bean Extract as a weight loss method.

What are its benefits for weight loss?

Chlorogenic acid has been shown to have an effect on slowing fat absorption and increasing metabolism of fat. What remains a question is whether or not your body can use the chlorogenic acid in Green Coffee Bean Extract to an extent that taking the extract will provide you with a benefit. What is known is that even the most minimal effect on increasing metabolism and slowing fat absorption can provide huge benefits to people trying to lose weight as it can increase your energy and commitment to the rest of the program necessary to create weight loss. As more studies are revealing that there is truth to the old myth that some people just have a slower metabolism than others, supplements like Green Coffee Bean Extract are proving to provide more benefit than first thought. The key is understanding what benefit you should be expecting. Green Coffee Bean Extract can be a part of a very successful weight loss program when combined with diet and exercise. You should not expect to lose more than a pound or two a week with any diet program. Using supplements and weight loss aides that provide you with more energy can help, just be careful not to overdo it or the caffeine can make your jittery and nauseous. Before you buy anything, make sure you check with your own doctor – not just the one you see on TV – to make sure that Green Coffee Bean Extract is safe for you to take.

Mary J. Blige Looks Amazing in a Bikini on the Cover of Shape

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Mary J Blige Shape Magazine
Mary J. Blige Cover – All Rights Reserved DON FLOOD/SHAPE MAGAZINE

Oh My Goodness.  I must add the R&B queen Mary J. Blige to my list of Ab Divas after seeing the new Shape Magazine cover featuring her for their December Issue.  WOW!!  Do you see those abs!  Fitspiration!

In the article, she talks about her new holiday album and how she is committed to not over doing it with holiday temptations.  She also says that she has embraced running for cardio and tries to get in 6 to 8 miles per week. She has even learned to swim for exercise.

They also talked with her about how she has been sober for 1 year and 3 months.  I think that is always a blessing when stars like Mary talk about their struggles with substance abuse.  Someone needs to hear that and understand that they are not alone.

ON Eating Habits, she says: “Diet, of course, plays a central role in how she looks and especially how she feels. She cut out sugar for three weeks before her cover shoot and sticks to a gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb diet most of the time.” – Shape Magazine.  Click here to read the full article.

Now my one slight issue:  Where are her tattoos? The one on her right arm and on her right leg are missing.  You can see them in photos here.

Never-the-less, make sure that you buy this magazine when you see it on the rack.  We have to let the publishing industry know that we want to see more fit and healthy black women featured on their covers.

 

LouCinda lost 42 pounds

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Let’s show some love to LouCinda.  She lost 42 pounds over the course of a year and went from a size 18/20 down to a size 12/14.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Lou weight loss journey

“My motivation was to take control and not end up a high blood pressure or a victim of diabetes. I’ve always felt that prescription medicine will fix one thing but you’ll need another prescription to fix the side effects of the first prescription. The doctor told me that I would die of high blood pressure if I didn’t take the pills or lose the weight. He told me to pick one. I decided to lose the weight. Besides, losing weight is something I can control so I thought “Why not give it a shot.” I knew I couldn’t do anything to long as far as workouts were concerned, because I wouldn’t stick with it. So, I thought about what I was eating.

The first thing I did was that I figured out my eating weaknesses. My weaknesses were bread, pastas and Pepsi. I could eat 6 slices of toast in one sitting. I knew that if I figured out my weaknesses first and conquered them that everything else would be a breeze! It was hard at first but I just took it day by day. Before I knew it, I had lost 15 pounds. I also increased my water intake. I felt lighter and happier. Inline with cutting out those items, I simply started walking twice a week in my local park. I only did 30 minutes because I had other things to do besides exercising. It wasn’t a fast walk but a walk just the same. Before I knew it, I was running and walking 3 times a week. When it rained, I went home and did jumping jacks. I just continued to remain active. I believe that’s the best answer to any weight loss question; just remain active and keep your body in motion. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something. I heard people say exercising makes you happy but I just thought only the thin or tiny people say that. I now understand what they meant because if I don’t exercise or start to slack off in any way, my attitude changes. I’m happy when I exercise. I would’ve never thought that but it’s true. My starting weight was 213 pounds. I’m now at 171 pounds. My blood pressure is never higher then 120/80. I went from a size 18/20 to size 12/14. The pictures I sent are from 2011 until now. I lost 42 lbs in a year. That’s my story! My advice to anyone would be just do something!!!”

Sheila lost 43 pounds

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Featured weight loss story of the day: Sheila lost 43 pounds in 6 months.  She embraced regular exercise and made healthy changes to her eating to make getting healthy and lifestyle change her focus.  She also got help for chronic pain.  Here is what she shared with us:

Sheila weight loss story

 

What was your motivation?
My main motivation was to get healthy and maintain good health.

How did you change your eating habits?
I loaded up on complex carbohydrates and limited my intake of simple carbohydrates. I stopped eating processed foods and began eating more whole wheat/grains, legumes and vegetables. I only drank water and I stopped drinking sodas and beverages that had high fructose corn syrup. I only use extra virgin olive oil when preparing my meals. I stopped eating red meat, mainly because my acupuncturist said it’s very harsh on our digestive system.

What did your workout routines look like?
My workout routines consisted of 60 minutes of Zumba® 3-4 days a week.

What was your starting weight?
My starting weight was 209 lbs.

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 166 lbs.

How long did your transformation take?
My transformation took 6 Months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Firstly, get healthy and lose the weight for yourself and begin when you are absolutely ready.
It will be difficult but DON’T GIVE UP!  Lastly and more importantly, do not consider it as a diet, rather consider it as a lifestyle change.

My weight loss story:
My story began about three years ago.  I worked from home eight to nine hours a day; five days a week.  I started to experience pain in my right shoulder/arm. Initially, it started as a dull, aching pain which was more of a discomfort to me. It then progressively developed into a sharp, painful, shooting and debilitating sensation to the point where my husband and I thought it would benefit me to seek treatment from a physical therapist/chiropractor. I found a local Spine and Rehabilitation center that provided Chiropractic/Physical Therapy treatments. I made an appointment and I was advised to come twice a week for several months. They did a comprehensive analysis of my neck, electrical stimulation and “spinal manipulations”.  Unfortunately, I did not get relief from any of these treatments, so I felt I had to try some type of exercise that would not only give me the relief I desperately needed but one that would effectively help me lose a considerable amount of weight.  I had heard of dance fitness program called Zumba® and how much fun, effective and exhilarating it was. I found a local studio that offered Zumba® which was very convenient and affordable. My goal was to get healthy because I truly believed my weight and lack of exercise was the cause of my pain and suffering. Toward the end of 2009, I began Zumba® and I went 3-4 times a week. The classes lasted an hour and I felt energized after every class! I purchased a scale and maintained a spreadsheet where I kept a log of my exercises and everything I consumed (food/beverages). I made a promise to myself that I would lose at least 40 lbs by my Birthday, October 21, 2011. In April of 2010, I weighed in at 209 lbs (size 16) and by my Birthday (as promised) I lost 40 lbs and weighed in at 169 lbs (size 10). In the process of losing the unwanted weight by doing Zumba®, the debilitating pain I felt in my right shoulder/arm was GONE! I have been able to maintain my weight loss and I am working on losing an additional 8-10 lbs. Amazingly, I am still pain free! I thank my husband for his tremendous support and I thank God for giving me the strength, the willpower and the belief I needed to have in myself which gave  me the confidence necessary to successfully execute and complete the goal I set for myself.  And finally, a big thanks to the amazing and wonderful Zumba® instructors who continue to inspire me!

 

 

Naledi lost 89 pounds

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Nov 2016 – Naledi has kept off over 80 pounds for over 3 years and is now focused on toning, weight training and HIIT. She’s also sharing her nutrition knowledge online to inspire others. Check out her update and what she has shared with us over the years about her transformation.

Just reaching out to give you my update and the joys of living healthy. I have manage to keep of my weight for 3 years now and it’s been a living testimony. I’m focused on toning now and doing a lot of Les Mills weight training and HIIT. I’ve created a Facebook group were I post my daily meals, from breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and meal replacement alternatives. No short cuts or fad diets. Just authentic home cooked meals that I create daily to share my passion and help the community as a whole. – Naledi (aka. Ledi Tangs) 

naledi before and after

Feb 2016 – It’s been 3 years since we featured Naledi’s weight loss journey. She’s kept off the 89.9 pounds and is working on toning and definition with weight training and Les Mills classes.

Hello, I’m back with an update. You featured my weight loss journey in 2013 and I want to share what I have been up to. I started weight lifting with the goal of developing more shape and definition. I’ve been doing Les Mills classes 2-3 times a week now. It’s been such a rewarding journey and so pleased to share with friends here on the BWLW group to motivate someone. I do Body Pump, which involves weight lifting and attacking every part of your body. I also do Body Attack, which is a cardio class of 1 hour of intense exercise (similar to Insanity). You literally burn 400-500 calories if you give it your best. My pecs are progressing massively. It’s been 7 months since I started the classes. I have maintained my weight but my dress size has dropped from an 8 to a 6. I am living a dream and I’m more confident. I hope this inspires a sister out there.

naledi before and after

Nov 2103 – Today’s weight loss success story: Our sista from the United Kingdom Naledi lost 39kg and went from a size 22 to a size 8.  That’s 89.9 pounds!  She did it by eating right and exercising to avoid the risk of diabetes.  Here is what she shared with us:

Naledi weight loss story uk

“My story begins like this… I gained weight via not eating properly and not exercising. Started feeling unwell and went to see my doctor. My family has a history of diabetes and have lost all my beloved ones from my father’s side including my Dad who passed away in 2004 due to the disease. I was affected by the death of my father and when I went for the check up to see if I was prone to the disease fortunately the result was negative. I weighed 102 kg (224.8 pounds) by that time in 2011 and was told by my doctor that I was overweight, obese and prone to having a heart attack if I did not reduce my weight (regardless of being diabetes free). My dress size was 22. I now weigh 63kg (138.8 pounds) and wear a size 8.  I started my weight loss journey from March 2011 to October 2012. Since then never looked back and have maintained my weight till today.

Motivation: I was shaken and started feeling tired when I was at work.  I could hardly use the stairs and dependant on the lift (elevator) all the time. I was referred to a dietitian to discuss healthy eating options before any medication was given to me to see if I was willing and determined to lose the weight. I valued my life and wanted to live and not die young. I was upset that food made me like this and that sooner or later my whole life will come to a close due to food and not looking after myself. I went home depressed and just the thought of it all.  I knew that I would have to develop self control and change the way I look at food because what it was doing to me had such a terrible effect. I waited for the appointment date and went to my first visit to start putting a plan in place in terms of what to eat, what not to eat,  exercise, etc. Upon living the hospital, I just told myself that I will conquer and defeat the food battle. I started by doing my own research into what has helped other people in a similar situation as I was. It was not an easy journey in the beginning to cut down on bread, cakes, portion sizes… let alone the bad habits in general that lead to weight gain. I Started my own diet of consuming not more than 1,500 calories a day. I was drinking 2 litres of water and no more drinks with acid. Fortunately, I had no issues with alcohol because I never drake at all.

Naledi weight loss
Update Apr: 2014 – Naledi sent in this photo to let us know she is still maintaining her weight loss!

I joined the gym and started with the treadmill just to get my heart rate up and my body used to exercising slow but sure. I ate alot of vegetables, salad,fruit and cut down all starch foods completely. I also became very creative and made my own made home smoothies of which I had most of the time for lunch. My favourite was the green smoothie that consisted of kale, spinach, melon, apple, pear, few leaves of spinach, 2 x tablespoon natural yoghurt and 1/4 cup water just to give my smoothies flavour. I detoxed using lemon and fresh pepper mint leaves soaked in water. I also ate small portions of food, stopped snacking and started eating at the right times. I was also getting enough sleep and snacking a lot on nuts. I ate white meat more than I did with red meat. I replaced red meat with a lot of roasted peanuts without salt. No milk or sugar in my tea. I started drinking herbal teas and hot water with lemon before and after every meal. I stopped eating heavy meals if i got home after 7pm. Will power and determination made my life so easy. I started feeling more lighter each day and introduced other exercises; bicycle ride, spinning classes twice a week, swimming, power walking and started out door jogging.

I made this a lifestyle more than a punishment and my results were so positive that within 6 months of healthy eating, exercising and commitment, I lost 30kg. I was so pleased and kept pushing. My weight was lost in 3 stages as per the pictures. My dress size dropped to 14 and lastly size 8 which took me 1 year and 7 months to get to my target weight. I am now into horse riding, which is one of my favourite hobbies almost every weekend. I do a lot of outdoor jogging, zumba class once a week and presently lift weights to build my six pack. With the right attitude no gimmicks, no eating behind closed doors, not quitting and perseverance, you can do it and achieve whatever you want in life. Whenever you feel like giving up, ask yourself the reason that you started the journey and why you want to add more years to your life. I did it and am very positive that you can do it without surgery but willpower and become a conqueror. They say “No pain, no gain.” Once you are on top of the game nothing will beat that spirit of being a goal getter. Never, never give up. The harder you work, the better the results are. A key fact is to keep up with healthy eating and exercise. Make it a lifestyle rather than a diet. By so doing you are looking at it in a more positive way rather than feeling deprived of certain foods. Moderation is the key.  All the best in your journey.  I’m more than happy to motivate others in any way possible with regards to sharing meal ideas, what other shakes I made or ways that could make one change their life.”

Naledi weight loss photos

Janelle lost nearly 100 pounds

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Let’s show some love to proud mom Janelle.  She has lost approximately 100 pounds since June 2012 with calorie counting and by eating low carb.  She wrote in to share her photos and story with us:

Janelle weight loss photos

” I Wanted to share my progress with the group. I’ve released nearly 100 pounds, going from 315 pounds and now I weight 220 pounds. I cut out carbs & became more active with my children! They are the best lil calorie burners I know of. Lol!

I started my weight loss journey in June 2012. I originally started by counting calories on a mobile app called FatSecret and then graduated to the omission of carbs. The common name for the plan I follow is the 12 day diet. I eat 3 meals per day until I am full and have a cup of ruby red grapefruit juice with each meal. If I am feeling hungry between meals, I eat 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter or cinnamon toasted almonds.  I also consume a gallon of water each day. I have lost 100 pounds and gone from a size 26/28 to a thick size 16. My exercise regime includes playing with my children, walking, and swimming. I keep active because of my little ones. I have 3 children, ages 10 and under. They are my motivation, I plan on living to see them grow, create families of their own and then some!”

 

3 Reasons to Go Gluten-Free

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gluten freeMany people today are starting realize that they have gluten intolerance and that their bodies do better without wheat and grain products that contain gluten.  Some have even be diagnosed with a disorder known as celiac disease, which involves an inability to digest gluten.  In addition, many people have adapted the “gluten free” diet and are using it’s principles to improve their weight loss plan.

Even though going gluten-free is not a “miracle diet,” it can actually help you a lot in your weight loss efforts. Here are some of the ways that going gluten free can help.

By eliminating gluten, you automatically reduce your carbohydrate intake, especially highly processed, simple carbs.

One thing that many people don’t realize is that, by going gluten free, you end up going low-carbohydrate as well. Why is this? Well, because the most common source of gluten is wheat, and wheat is at the core of many starchy or highly processed products, which make up the typical American diet. That means you will be eliminating breads, pastas, baked sweets, cereals, and a number of other foods that are processed with wheat.

Why does going low-carb help? A low-carb diet encourages your body to burn fat as you exercise, because it will want to store what little carbohydrates that you have for energy use later on. You need to have some carbohydrates, because they help with vital bodily functions, but reducing them can really help to jump-start your weight loss plan. You don’t want to totally eliminate carbohydrates, like some people do, but instead go low-carbohydrate and have some of an energy store to work with.

Of course, you have to do this intelligently; there are plenty of options out there for people who are gluten-free that have the same amount of carbohydrates (rice bread, for example), so it won’t really make much of a difference. Eat foods like veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean meats instead. Make sure that, however you go gluten-free, that the options that you are eating are not processed foods. They won’t help your weight loss efforts either.

By going gluten-free, you help to reduce inflammation in your body.

This is an interesting fact that many people don’t realize. Gluten itself (not carbohydrates, but the actual compound gluten) actually sets an immune response in some people, which may cause you to have issues with inflammation in different parts of the body, including your digestive system. As mentioned above, Celiac disease is one of the things that can happen as a result of this gluten inflammation, but there is a growing number of people in the population who are merely gluten sensitive, but are completely unaware of the sensitivity.

The inflammation usually occurs in the digestive system, as previously mentioned. This can cause a number of issues, including a lack of an ability to absorb nutrients and irritation of the bowels. It can also cause constipation in extreme cases. Even if you are not sensitive to gluten, eliminating gluten from your diet may help encourage this nutrient absorption, which will encourage overall weight loss. Overall, eliminating (or, at least, reducing) gluten from the diet could actually be a good thing, even if you are not sensitive to it at all. There is still research to be done on this topic, but there is speculation and information that you may want to research for yourself to find out if it may improve your health.

By going gluten-free, you may find that you have more energy. This is currently only speculation, based on some things that researchers have seen in studies. If you are eliminating gluten, which means that you are eliminating carbohydrates, why would it help you to have more energy? There are a few reasons that this may be the case. First, because you won’t feel “bloated” or “ill” due to the digestive system issues we just talked about. Another reason that this may be the case is because many foods that have gluten are processed and full of sugar, and it has been shown that the amount of processed food that you eat may affect how much energy you have overall.  If your blood sugar levels and not constantly in flux, you will have a more consistent energy level thus feeling less tired.

As with any diet and exercise program, make sure that you talk to your doctor before you go gluten free. They can give you suggestions on diet, exercise, and other factors that may be related to your weight loss goals, and he or she can help you in case something goes awry in the process.

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #31: Commit to Your Weight Loss Goals!

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This is the last tip in our Weight Loss on a Budget series – Tip #31: Commit to Your Weight Loss Goals!

commit goals weight lossYo-Yo dieting is expensive.  Buying into weight loss plans over and over again is expensive.  Gym memberships and personal trainers cost money.  Buying pills and supplements for fad diets is expensive. Time is money, and you will spend a lot of it on your weight loss efforts in terms of workouts, preparing meals, etc.  Knowing all of this, means that it is important to commit to your weight loss goals and do the work so that all of your effort doesn’t go to waste.

  • Prepare your meals in advance and plan what you will eat daily.
  • Commit to regular exercise – 3-6 days per week.
  • Focus on lifestyle change, not dieting or short term goals. Your goal should be to never have to go through the same, long process of weight loss ever again.
  • Consider your health and how it is important.  Use your health and your desire for greater wellness as a primary motivating factor, even more than looking good.
  • Know that you will stumble and that you might have set backs, but you don’t have to stay in the place of being hindered or stalled by your actions.  One or two bad days doesn’t have to be the reason you got off the weight loss wagon for weeks and months.  RECOMMIT and get back on track if you have a bad day.
  • Write down/Record your goals, your meals and your habits.
  • Be accountable and don’t lie to yourself.  We must be honest in order to be free from our bad habits and food addictions.

When you commit to losing the weight for good and not having to repeat your efforts over and over again, you will ensure that you will save money and time in the long run.

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #24: Create a Home Gym and Save Money

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home gym save moneyTip #24: Create a Home Gym to Save Money.  The number one way that a home gym can help you lose weight on a budget is that you won’t have to pay for a gym membership.  This is the most obvious benefit, but let me share another 5 tips with you.

  • Time is Money:  When you can roll out of bed and workout or workout as soon as you get home it can be a huge time saver.  Whether using less gas or having time for other things, you will see a savings on top of more convenience.
  • World Class Personal Trainers in Your Living Room: Workout at home with workout DVDs and have some of the best trainers in the world as your exercise coaches.  Bob Harper and Dolvet Quince in the Biggest Loser DVDs.  Tony Horton in P90X.  Jillian Michaels in her various workout DVDs.  Chalene Johnson in the Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire series.  Shaun T in the Insanity series.  Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds series.  These are just few titles that feature some of the best trainers in the world.  In your home gym, you can workout with them on the cheap compared to what it might cost to workout regularly with a local personal trainer.  Here is a list of top workout DVDs.
  • No Drama – Save yourself from the drama of going to the gym.  Yes, you can avoid feeling awkward, anxious or self conscious about your body.  You can avoid the meat heads who are grunting and dropping weights.  You can avoid the people who are just there to hit on women or be seen.  At home, you can focus on getting your workout on, not on who’s in the gym and what they are doing.  Less distractions, More focus!
  • Low Cost Equiptment – You can start with workout DVDs, a yoga mat, dumbbells (3 different sizes), an exercise ball for around $75-150 dollars.  You may be able to get second hand workout equipment from friends and family or at a discount on sites like Ebay.  Put together your equipment list based on the exercises you like to do.  In the future, You might even work up to buying an elliptical machine or spin bike if you are even more serious about working out at home vs. paying for a gym membership.
  • Your Apartment/Condo’s Workout Room – If you have a free, well maintained workout room in your condo, apartment or community club house that can be your home gym.  Many residents don’t take advantage of gyms on the premises where they live, and they can be basically empty during non peak hours (Most people workout right after work or in the morning.