Netflix Instant Streaming Workout Videos

1. Privacy-- I'm a shy person, so going to the gym or a class is not the best workout option for me. Working out in my living room, I don't have to worry about anyone judging how high I'm kicking or how deep my stretches are.
2. Pace-- If I haven't exercised in awhile, working out at home allows me to go at my own pace while I get back into things. If I need to stop and refill my water bottle or run to the bathroom, I can just pause the video and start right back where I left off!
3. Wardrobe Freedom-- I can wear whatever I want. This goes with privacy a bit, too, but it's also nice to just work out in my pajamas if I don't feel like getting dressed. Or if it's hot I can work out in my underwear without embarrassment, and I know my pets won't judge me.
4. Schedule Freedom-- I can workout whenever I want. Some gyms close, it's not always a good idea to go out jogging at night, and classes probably aren't offered at 4 AM. When I work out in my living room, I set the schedule.
5. Variety-- If I worked my arms so hard yesterday that I can barely lift my water bottle, I can choose a workout that focuses on the lower half of the body. It's also good to get a variety of exercises into your routine, to ensure that your whole body is getting worked.
6. The Afterglow-- I love the feeling after a workout, but my favorite part is sliding into a warm relaxing bath. When you work out at home, you don't have to gather all your shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, towels, and whatever else you use to bathe--it's all already in your bathroom. And you can take your time (theoretically, depending on how many people you share your home with, of course...)

I've suffered from several bouts of depression in the last eight years with varying degrees of severity. (I'm not a doctor--if you're feeling depressed, by all means consult a professional.) I've found that for less severe cases, depression symptoms can be lessened with exercise. It improves my mood for the rest of the day, gives me energy and makes me feel accomplished.

When I'm feeling depressed, the idea of putting everything together and going to the gym is far too overwhelming. Working out at home, in the privacy of my living room, is the perfect way to stay on track with daily exercise. I don't worry that people will judge me, I can go at my own pace, and I can decide when I want to work out and what workout I want to do. The Netflix library of Instant Streaming Workout vidoes has been really helpful in combating depression, or even just the daily blues, and I recommend it to everyone.

1. Crunch: Total Resculpt

This video offers two workouts, one for the lower half and one for the upper half of the body. You can do just one or both workouts, but I always end up doing both because the host has so much charisma and energy! It's a longer workout, so it might not be the best video to start with if you haven't exercised in awhile.

2. Crunch: Fat Burning Ab Attack

This video is 32 minutes (including the intro) so it's a good place to start if you're just getting into a fitness routine. It starts with some standing exercises then you move to the floor and really work your whole abdomen--I love the tired feeling, pushing through it and that delicious soreness I feel in my midsection the next day!

3. Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates

This one is great if you feel like you don't have enough energy to workout. It's made up of three ten minute workouts (that focus on belly, butt and thighs) so you can do one, all three, or any combination. If you're new to pilates, this is also a great way to try it out and see if it's for you. If you like it, you can look into attending a class!

4. Crunch: Boot Camp Training

This one involves a lot of energy (and a lot of push-ups!) but I feel GREAT after I'm done and for the rest of the day. It's perfect for when I'm in the mood to really exercise and feel good.

One of my favorite advantages of using the Netflix workout videos is that I can choose a different video every day, depending on my mood and energy level. As I mentioned before, it's also a great way to try out new exercise routines that you're not sure about. If your friend wants you to take a pilates class but you don't know anything about it, you can try the video to see if it's a good fit. If you already have Netflix, just sign in and pick the "Sports and Fitness" option from the "Genres" drop down menu. You can choose "workouts" and then narrow down your options from there. If you're using a Wii or something else other than a computer, try searching for "Crunch", "10 Minute Solutions" or "Self" to see some of the workout videos that Netflix offers. You could also search by the type of exercise you're interested in, since that's usually in the video title (try "yoga", "pilates", "kickboxing", "dance", "cardio", even "prenatal" if you're expecting!)

I've been doing it for a year and I still haven't tried them all!

Water is essential, especially if you're exercising and sweating! It helps to fill up a water bottle before you work out, set it near you and sip on it between exercises.

It's also not good to workout on an empty stomach, so a light snack like a banana, yogurt, a handful of nuts or a hard boiled egg can help you get the most out of your workout.

Don't forget to stretch! I like to stretch while the intro plays or while they're introducing the video, then take my time stretching and drinking water while the credits are rolling. It makes a world of difference when it comes to soreness the next day--I can't recommend stretching enough!