If you live out in the boondocks like I do, it is hard to find the nearest gym. And the last thing you want to do is go to the gym after a long day of work.  The closest gym to our house is a thirty minute drive, and frankly driving to the gym after working 8 hours is the last thing I want o do.  When my husband was deployed, I used the excuses of “The gym is just too far away” or “It is too expensive”, and I never worked out. When we got the estimated redeployment date, I freaked out and bought some workout DVD’s and worked my butt off, but it just didn’t do enough for me. Finally, when he returned (and I got a job!) we invested some money to start an at home gym…in our garage. But you can create your at home gym anywhere your yoga mat fits!

Piecing together a home gym is not only easy, but it is inexpensive as well! All you need are some dumbbell weights (5 or 10 pounds), a yoga mat, an exercise ball, and a mirror to look at your sexy self.  I would also suggest some sort of loud music to get your sweat on. You can find these items for under $100; that’s a two month gym membership fee. There are so many exercises that you can find online and even here at SkinnyMom.com. Instead of spending your next paycheck on a bottle(s) of wine, use it to go on a shopping spree at your nearest Sporting Goods store. Don’t forget to pick up some cute workout gear because as the saying goes, “When you look good, you feel good!”