As someone with a busy lifestyle, I always managed to stay fit, even in my late twenties. There might have been times where I tipped the scale at the higher end of normal, but I still managed to keep myself in check.

In my late twenties, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. This meant that I would have to take medication for life. Unfortunately, the range of medications for my illness means that I have less energy than before and am prone to weight gain. To demonstrate this fact to myself, I gained 38 pounds in the span of a year.

Once I hit the overweight category, my complacency kicked into high gear. I managed to go for hour-long walks a couple times a week, but the pounds kept packing on.

I finally realized that I needed to work out in order to lose weight. For me, the best workout programs involved consistency and intensity. I decided to devise work-out training programs that incorporated by knowledge from my days as an athlete.

So I bought myself some affordable workout accessories and got down to business. I ate as though I needed sports nutrition, but always at a calorie deficit. My half hour workouts were timed to the minute. I would do seven minutes of cardio as I had been instructed by my old trainer and then do more targeted exercise.

These workouts were easy to do from home, and I rotated leg day, arm day, and abdominal day. If I missed one day I didn’t freak out, but I made it a priority to do 6 to 7 days of working out.

During a two-month period, I started shrinking. I gained a lot of muscle tone and also lost weight. I view these work-out training programs as a lifestyle intervention. I also swim laps on the days that it is nice outside instead of indoor workouts.

If anyone is looking to get fitter and lose weight, I highly recommend devising 30-minute workout sessions for at home and sticking to the program.

Workout training programs:

Stronger Seniors® Stretch and Strength DVDs- 2 disc Chair Exercise Program- Stretching, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance. Improve flexibility, muscle and bone strength, circulation, heart health, and stability. Developed by Anne Pringle Burnell

X-TrainFit: 90 Day DVD Workout Program with 8 Exercise Videos + Training Calendar & Fitness and Nutrition Guide

10-Minute Trainer DVD Workout

ChaLEAN Extreme DVD Workout

Absolute Body Power: Intermediate Step Workout

Brazil Butt Lift DVD Workout – Base Kit

Qualities Of A Successful Exercise Workout Program

Work-Out Exercise Programs For Woman

Best Exercise Programs To Look For

Major Health Problems With Obesity

Keeping Weight Off

Best Ways To Take Intensify Your Workout   

7 Ways To Stay In Shape

Making the Most of Exercise Programs

How to Find the Workout Training Program Best Suited For You? 

Different Types Of Work-out Training Programs