In a few short weeks we'll be peeling off our warmer layers and working to banish our skin's sickly winter pallor with a few indulgent sunbathing sessions in the park.

What's this... showing skin? Time to get in shape! If price, spare time, convenience and privacy are issues for you, working out at home may be the answer. With these benefits comes one major disadvantage: how do you stay motivated without access to shiny equipment and the watchful eye of a studly personal trainer?

1. Set the exercise mood

Set up a space in your home that is devoted solely to exercise. It could be as fancy as a home gym with exercise equipment or as simple as a yoga mat in the corner. Accessorize this area with a mirror, stereo or small TV, drink stand and fitness charts. Designating this space as "the gym" will motivate you to stick with a workout regime.

2. Understand what works for you

Consider this: Do you have a day job? What time of the day are you most productive? Are you a morning or night person? What are your exercise goals? Are you looking to improve your cardiovascular endurance, build strength, or both? What type of exercise do you prefer?

You could blow thousands of dollars on fitness equipment you will rarely use. Before making this investment you need to determine what really works for you, especially if you're interested in trying something new. Test drive new workout styles with first-timer freebie classes before you shell out for all the accessories.

3. Invest in some basic equipment


Swiss Ball, Amazon $17.99

The Swiss Ball is the most basic yet inexpensive item every girl should own. It creates instability, forcing your stabilizer muscles to be activated. Stabilizer muscles make you stronger, develop your core and are key to better performance of more advanced exercises. Dumbbell chest press, dumbbell chest fly, and push-ups get an intensity boost when you work them with the ball.


Dumbbells, $10 and up at any fitness store

Many personal trainers skip the big shiny machines at the gym and send their clients straight for the dumbbells. Combining versatility and convenience, you can train muscles that are often not active when using large machines. Intensify simple calisthenics such as sit-ups by holding light hand weights as you perform them.


Resistance Bands, Amazon $13

Tensor bands are must-have. Invest in several tension levels for different exercises. These bands are so light you can easily pack them in your suitcase when traveling. Exercises include rowing, shoulder fly, bicep curl, and tricep kickbacks.


Mat, Amazon $20

The mat is essential for performing floor exercises. You can purchase either a yoga mat (thin) or a regular exercise mat (padded) from any fitness store. The mat is ideal for abdominal exercises and stretching.

Investing in proper workout clothes is a good idea, too. Supportive shoes and a sports bra reduce post-workout soreness and give you the extra motivation to get down to business.

4. Indoor workouts

Simple calisthenics can burn hundreds of calories per hour - if you can force yourself to stick to a regimen. Distract yourself by performing reps during commercial breaks while watching TV instead of restocking your bowl of Ben & Jerry's.

One of the easiest ways to exercise indoors is to invest in a few fitness DVDs or a gaming platform like Wii Fit. There are resources for almost every exercise program, so finding a fit for you won't be hard.

Read up what our members recommended for Workout Videos.

5. Outdoor workouts

Most of us enjoy some sort of outdoor activities, so tweaking them for extra calorie burn is a no-brainer. Gardening, walking, and chasing your kids around the park are things you want to do more often anyway, so strap on some ankle weights or increase the pace of your activity for extra calorie burn. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend outdoors - a prospect that will only be more attractive as the weather warms.

Start up a cycling or rollerblading club with friends, join a city league beach volleyball team, or buy a badminton net for your backyard. Sports is a fun and distracting way to get some exercise and spend time with people.

Ensure your success

One of the most common mistakes we suffer from when starting a new exercise program is that we tend to give up before results really begin to materialize. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a workout! Write down your goals, and stick them in a place where you can see them (the mirror in your bathroom, the fridge) to remind yourself of what you wish to achieve. Take a secret unflattering "Before" picture of yourself for extra motivation or prominently display those killer jeans you're dying to squeeze back into.

Plan your goal around a special occasion, such as a birthday, event, or anniversary as something to keep you motivated. Keep a fitness journal to track your progress and enlist a workout buddy to hold you accountable. Always stay positive and think long term - exercising now is an investment in your future health!

by Michelle Kwan and Vesna Dodevska