May 30, 2016 by Stephanie

My Favorite Workout Youtube Channels

We cut ties with a gym about 9 months ago, but my wannabe fitness guru heart needs fitness classes.

Not going to lie I grew up watching Sweating to the Oldies with Richard Simmons and Tae Bo with Billy Blanks. Group fitness is my jam.

Some days I aspire to be a fitness class instructor. But then I remember there is now way I would remember the choreography for an entire lesson nor do I really have the skills to teach fitness form.

This would be me (as the toddler)…

So in an effort to help my fellow fitness enthusiast wannabees, here are my favorite workout channels on Youtube.

All of these channels have free videos that I have enjoyed. It can be hard to find the motivation to workout at home, but these videos make it a little easier. Having access to these still keeps me active and energized since there are so many options.

PopSugar Fitness

I really like this channel. There are all kinds of videos. You can do just 10 minutes which some days is all you have time for or full body workouts if you have some extra time. They also have short videos to show you one move or stretch. This channel does focus on full health with videos about food choices too. I would say these feel the most like you are in a workout class. The lead talks to you like you are in a classroom with jokes and motivation along the way. There is also a lot of modifications that they show you. This is my favorite video from this channel…I was dripping with sweat and felt this workout for a few days afterwords.

Jessica Smith TV

Jessica does some really good low-impact workouts. I found her for her barre workouts. While they aren’t true ballet workouts, they do have some influence. Even with the low impact, I still get a good sweat on with her videos. I usually do the ones that are 30 minutes, but she does have some shorter videos. I think I am going to do her power-walking challenge here soon.

Fitness Blender

This is a great channel. They give really good instructions so I always feel like I know what I am doing. There is also a timer on the side which I like. I love working out but I also like to know when it is going to be done so I can keep pushing myself. They have a wide range of videos so you can really diversify your workouts with this channel.

Millionaire Hoy

This guy is really energizing. I love his kickboxing videos. I really get into these. Most of his are HIIT inspired which I really enjoy. He loves what he does, and that shows through instruction. There is a double timer on these: one for the total time and one for the move. He also has a preview box that shows you what is the next move. This is my favorite workout I have watched so far.

BeFit

This is another all-encompassing healthy channel. There are workouts and videos on healthy eating. Jillian Michaels has several videos on this channel which is how I watched her 30 day shred series. I love all the options!

There are so many workout channels out there, but these are just a few that I have enjoyed and found benefits with.

Do you watch workout videos? What are your favorites?

September 30, 2015 by Stephanie

Fit for Me 39/52

I made my way back this week!

What I did last week:

Thursday-30 minute walk/run around downtown Columbia.

Saturday-1 hour of BodyPump. It has been a couple months since I have made it to a class, and my thighs are still yelling at me 4 days later. It was a great workout though!

Sunday-We had a pretty busy day, so I had to get creative. Our driveway is about a tenth of a mile long with a big gradual hill. I decided to walk the uphill and run the downhill for 20 minutes before I needed to get ready for church that day.

Tuesday-30 minutes on a bike.

Impressed by:

I was still able to keep up with BodyPump. I didn’t have to take any breaks! I downgraded my weight at the start because I haven’t done it in a while, but I still kept up with each track.

Struggled with:

Honestly, I didn’t really have any struggles with my fitness this week. Pats on the back.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I made it to Body Pump!

What is my goal for next week?

I want to go for a good run. I haven’t really done a good one since my 10k, and I want to get some quality miles under me.

Fitness Thoughts:

The weather is getting cooler around here so it is going to be harder to feel inspired to go workout some days. I need to find other ways to feel motivated to stay away from “winter bod.” Have you ever heard of winter bod? I hadn’t until this week. Honestly though, I need to continue working out to keep up with all the winter foods. Bring me all the casseroles and holiday breads.

03e532fb1f4300a26b677ab7b0efd7bc image via

July 1, 2015 by Stephanie

Fit for Me 26/52

What I did last week:

Sunday-I started my 10K training. It was a slow 30 minute run/walk, and I took the dogs with me. But I feel good about it! It was a perfect start.

Monday-I walked downtown for lunch which is a 30 minute round-trip. And I did it in heels, which I am regretting now because of the blister it caused.

Tuesday-Another 30 minute training run.

Impressed by:

I am always impressed with myself when I start training for a race.

Struggled with:

I have been a little inconsistent with working out lately. I can blame it on rain, or Tom being home in the evenings, but a lot of it boils down to I forget to make the time at the end of the day. I am hoping now that I have this training schedule that will put me back on pace.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I did start my training for my 10k.

What is my goal for next week?

We have a lot going on this weekend with the holiday, so I want to just stick with my 3 training runs.

Fitness Thoughts:

You would think after 6 months, a workout schedule would come more naturally. What this weekly journal has reminded me that it is an every day commitment. This will be something that I have to work at every day as our schedule ebbs and flows. I am always wishing for consistency, but that honestly will never be there. George is growing so fast, and Tom’s schedule changes monthly. I need to just find ways to keep myself honest to my body every day.

9bbfaac40454ad87f8fc0772a22bb695 image via

How do you keep yourself in check with your workout goals?

June 24, 2015 by Stephanie

Fit for Me 25/52

What I did last week:

Saturday-BodyPump for an hour. I made it through every track friends. Progress. And my favorite teacher was there!

Sunday-BodyJam for an hour. This is that dance class that is taught by the 60 year old free spirit. Y’all, this is one woman that I would choose to kick my butt every day. I get such a great workout when I go to this class. Sweat is ~~dripping~~ flying off me by the mid point, and it is great. It is such a great class to just let loose and really get your muscles moving. It reaffirms though that this white girl has no business on a dance floor. I can get the moves eventually, but there are some that just do not come naturally. But I am there to have fun and sweat my booty off!

Monday-20 minute core workout.

Impressed by:

I made it through every track in BodyPump. I may have been on baby weights, but I made it none the less. Look at these mom guns.

Struggled with:

I will be honest. I have given up on the plank and push-up challenge. It is doing nothing for me but making me frustrated. I realize that doing 5 minute planks, while admirable, is not something that defines my fitness level. So I am not going to keep doing something that makes me hate myself every night.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

While I wasn’t really more consistent, I did make it to two classes, which is something in my book.

What is my goal for next week?

I realized this week that my 10k race is a little less than 3 months away. I need to get my training started! I have printed out a tentative schedule, so my goal is to actually start that this week. Anyone in COMO want to run with me?

Fitness Thoughts:

I talked about being in a rut with my workouts last week, so I did some online research to find something to kick me into gear. I found this app for my phone, Sworkit. It can work on Android or Apple products. I am just using the lite version right now to see if I like it. So far I think it is great for those days where I just can’t make it to the gym. I am not the greatest at following just a list and knowing how to do an exercise. I like that this prompts you as you are going, but also provides a video of each exercise so you know how to do it. It looks like you can track your progress, but I am not sure how much it shows you since I have only used it a couple times. There seems to be a wide variety of options of exercises (upper body, lower body, core, stretches, yoga, and cardio), and each area has probably around 20 different options. I think this will be nice so I am not doing the same in-home workout. You can do 5 minutes or an hour (or anywhere in between), so I like the versatility there. I used it for my core workout Monday. It was awesome. Once I use it a little more, I will update you whether it was worth it.

image via

Have you ever trained for a race? Do you use any fitness apps?

June 17, 2015 by Stephanie

Fitness for Me 24/52

What I did last week:

Wednesday-30 minute walk with the family.

Thursday-30 minute walk with the famjam again. I like it when Tom is home in the evening. But he did tell me this is not something he wants to do on Father’s Day.

Saturday-BodyPump. I made it through every track except chest. I felt really weak during it all, but I made it through.

Sunday-My sister-in-law and I went to the Royals/Cards game, where we instead waited during the rain for 2.5 hours for the game to start. We walked the stairs and around the stadium quite a bit so I am saying it counts. .

Impressed by:

Y’all I made it through a shoulder track! High five to me because this has not happened for a very very long time. It’s all those George presses I am doing.

Struggled with:

I am really struggling with my push-up and plank challenge. I don’t really think that I am getting any stronger as the times are increasing so it has been really frustrating. I have to stop mid-way or change positions if I do continue most days. I am up to 2 minutes planking and 33 push-ups. I am a little half way through the challenge, so I really don’t want to stop but it is a big struggle.

Did I meet my goal from last week?

I did go to a BodyPump class.

What is my goal for next week?

I just want to be more consistent. I would like to do a real workout at least 4 days this next week, and try to get to the gym for a class a couple times.

Fitness Thoughts:

I feel like I am getting into a rut. This rain we are having is really making me just want to curl up with a good book (because I have my reading mojo back). I need to get jazzed about working out again. I am hoping getting to some classes will spark something again. This week I just felt blah about exercise.

This was me all week.