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The Books We're Reading This Fall

Yes, it’s only August, but in my mind, that means summer is basically over. Labor Day will be here faster than we know it, beginning the roll into the end of the year. Soon it’ll be autumn—the best time of year for cuddling up with a cozy throw and a good book.
I’ve put together a lengthy list of books that will keep you company during sunny Sundays on the couch and get you through the doldrums of late fall. From highly anticipated releases to classics perfect for sleepy autumn nights, here’s HealthyWay’s fall 2018 reading list.

Books With Buzz

Each of these books has had a certain amount of press surrounding its release. Hop on the train before everyone else to give yourself endless cocktail party conversation topics.

Killing Commendatore: A Novel by Haruki Murakami

Murakami is back with a two-part novel about a painter whose wife divorces him. He goes to stay in another artist’s house where he discovers a painting in the attic, setting strange adventures in motion. The book, which pays homage to The Great Gatsby, is so controversial it’s been censored in Hong Kong…so of course that means we’ll be picking it up as soon as it drops.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Oct. 9.

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini

From the author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns comes an illustrated short work that speaks to the refugee crises raging around the world. The book takes the form of a letter a father writes to his son the night before they escape Syria. Hosseini was inspired by the photo of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian boy who washed up on a Turkish beach, and is donating all proceeds to the UN Refugee Agency and the Khaled Hosseini Foundation.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Sept. 18.

In Her Bones: A Novel by Kate Moretti

Can’t do a fall book list without a horror story. In Her Bones is a thriller following Edie Beckett, the daughter of a murderer, as she comes to terms with her mother’s crimes. When a man is found murdered, Edie’s the main suspect and has to figure out what happened. Moretti, a New York Times–bestselling author, has already received high praise for this novel; we can’t wait to get started.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Sept. 4.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents by Pete Souza

If you loved Obama: An Intimate Portrait by former official White House photographer Pete Souza, you’ll love his next photo book. Born from Souza’s shady (and beloved) Instagram posts, the book contrasts photos of Obama during his administration with Trump’s tweets and headlines from his first 500 days in office. Souza, who estimated he took 1.9 million photos during Obama’s eight years in office, has a photo for everything—and it’s delicious.
Pre-order your copy now or get it on Oct. 16.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

This memoir was actually released in February 2018, but it’s been making waves all year. Westover, who grew up in an isolated Mormon family in Idaho, didn’t have a birth certificate and didn’t attend school until she was 17. Nevertheless, she went on to graduate with a PhD in history from Cambridge University. It’s a book about family, education, privilege, access, and shame—and a definite must-read.
Get your copy here.

The Outsider by Stephen King

Okay, fine, this one was also published earlier this year (in May), but if Stephen King doesn’t make an appearance on your autumn book list, you’re doing it wrong. It’s the perfect time of year to be downright terrified, and King is a master of the craft. The novel follows an Oklahoma detective’s investigation of a murder case, moving from standard procedural to a true horror story. The tale is set to become a miniseries, which leads us to our next category…
Get your copy here.
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Before They Hit the Big Screen

Because Hollywood has apparently run out of ideas, big (and small) screens are full of remakes, superhero blockbusters, and…optioned novels. Luckily for us book lovers of the world, that gives us a leg up when everyone’s talking about these films come awards season—we read the book, you know.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Ng, who knocked it out of the park with Everything I Never Told You, did it again with 2017’s Little Fires Everywhere. So much so that Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington (queens!) are making it into a miniseries on Hulu (and they’re both executive producers and stars of the show).
Get your copy here.

Boy Erased: A Memoir by Garrard Conley

Conley’s powerful memoir about growing up gay in fundamentalist Christian Arkansas talks about his experience in gay conversion therapy and the immense harm it caused him. Joel Edgerton wrote, directed, and acts in the film, which also stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe; it premieres Nov. 2, 2018.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

This 2012 novel is written from the perspective of a 15-year-old girl whose agoraphobic mother, Bernadette, goes missing before a family trip. Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup are just two members of the star-studded cast of this film, which is set to premiere on March 22, 2019.
Get your copy here.

My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy

This historical fiction novel (heavy on the fiction) follows Mary, Queen of Scots, and her often-contentious relationship with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. The two queens never met in person, but their relationship—and its outcome—shaped the course of English and Scottish history for centuries. I am what some may call a fanatic about early modern English history, so this novel—and its upcoming film adaptation titled Mary Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan as Mary and Margot Robbie as Elizabeth—is right up my alley. Regardless of historical accuracy, I can’t wait to dig in.
Get your copy here.
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Stay Informed (and Inspired)

When the weather turns a little colder and a little grayer, it’s easy to get complacent about, well, everything. Do something different this year with these books that will feed your brain—and your soul.

Invisible: How Young Women With Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch

It’s a long title, to be sure, but the topic is an important one: 117 million adults have one (or more) chronic health conditions. Women especially are conditioned to zip their lips and stop complaining, even when they’re racked with pain. Hirsch combines her experience with stories from other women, culminating in an important work on misogyny, disability, and trusting your own body.
Get your copy here.

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

This nonfiction work from January 2018 covers the reality of racial issues in America today. From police brutality to institutionalized white supremacy, Oluo makes serious issues accessible, offering clarity that can be hard to find in the 24-hour news cycle and heated social media posts.
Get your copy here.

Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

McBride’s memoir follows her decision to come out as trans to her work as a transgender activist to her personal stories of—as the title notes—love and loss. The foreword from Joe Biden(!) is the cherry on top of an important book that proves that trans rights are human rights.
Get your copy here.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

Literary giant Zora Neale Hurston died in 1960, but her legacy—that lives on in classrooms across the world—was fortified this May with the release of Barracoon. Starting in 1927, Hurston interviewed Cudjo Lewis, the last African man alive to be taken across the Atlantic in the American slave trade.
In years of interviews, Lewis described his African childhood, the Middle Passage, and his years in slavery before the Civil War. Hurston’s manuscript faded from memory during the Great Depression, was re-discovered in 1977, and was published with the Zora Neale Hurston Trust in May 2018.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything So They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer

With a title like that, I’m definitely in—who doesn’t need a kick in the ass every once in a while? This nonfiction book, focused on productivity and women, looks at why we feel like we don’t have it all when it actually seems like we’re busier than ever. Falconer gives advice and tips for women who want to feel more productive—and do what they really want.
Get your copy here.

Gmorning, Gnight! Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin-Manuel Miranda

The guy who brought Hamilton to life in his award-winning play has earned millions of Twitter followers, thanks in part to his “gmorning” and “gnight” tweets that are full of encouragement, humor, and warmth. Now, in collaboration with Twitter-famous artist Jonny Sun, Miranda is releasing a book of feel-good affirmations to give you comfort morning and night.
Pre-order your copy here or get it on Oct. 23.

The Illustrated Herbiary by Maia Toll

This recommendation comes from Linsey Stevens, herbalism devotee and HealthyWay’s own Associate Editor, who says, “The Illustrated Herbiary is the perfect fall pick because it invites you to get in sync with nature’s ever-changing beauty while tapping into your own aspirations and needs. It doesn’t require a lengthy time commitment; just flip open to any page and enjoy the mystical illustrations and plant-powered wisdom—plus epigraphs from great women including Elizabeth Gilbert, Dolly Parton, and Brené Brown. Once you’re acquainted with the Herbiary, cozy up with some girlfriends and indulge in a little autumnal soothsaying as you put the Herbiary deck (similar to tarot cards) that comes with the book to good use.”
Get your copy here.
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Cozy Classics

I’m all for a brand-new book that’s making the rounds in literary circles and book clubs the world over. But there’s nothing quite like snuggling up with an old classic you’ve read a dozen times—one with well-worn pages and memories of high school English classes past. These are my favorite picks for rainy autumn nights on the couch.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Dreary English moors. Intense love stories. Tortured, brooding men. Sounds like a slow-burning crime drama on the BBC. But actually, it’s just Brontë’s 19th-century classic. It’s the ultimate in gothic tragedy, and Brontë’s exploration of social class, gender, and morality continues to be relevant 170 years later.
Get your copy here.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

If you’ve never read Dracula, do yourself a favor and read it. And if you haven’t read Dracula since high school, I recommend it all the same. The book that launched a thousand Twilight fan fiction pieces, Dracula is the fundamental vampire novel. Around Halloween this year, dig into Jonathan Harker’s travels from Transylvania to Whitby, England—it’s way better than trick-or-treating.
Get your copy here.

HealthyWay's Fall Reading List

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley

Did you know Frankenstein was written by a woman? And, even better, it was written as a contest entry. In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron challenged his friends, writers John Polidori, Mary Shelley, and her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, to a ghost story–writing competition. Mary Shelley’s entry, Frankenstein (which won that contest, btw) has become one of the most enduring horror stories of history. There’s far more depth to the novel than you’ll get out of any film adaptation (though Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is a delightful follow-up when you’ve had enough horror for one evening).
Get your copy here.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

True, this selection isn’t quite on the same playing field as the previous three, but it’s a classic nonetheless. Re-reading as an adult, you might be surprised by how childlike it is—after all, Rowling was writing for young children (at the beginning of the series anyway). But it’s an easy read should you need to kill an afternoon. Plus the combination of back-to-school vibes and fantastical magic are a great trip down memory lane.
Get your copy here.
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Let’s Kick It: My Go-To Soccer Workout For A Strong Body And Mind

I started playing soccer at the age of three and haven’t been able to shake my love of the sport since. In middle school, my little sister and I were notorious in our neighborhood for breaking off the tops of fence posts as we attempted to chip soccer balls over the “obstacles” to each other. My dad was thrilled about the “charm” the missing pieces of fence added to our home, let me tell you. But no matter how much trouble we got in, I couldn’t wait to get home from school the next day so that I could go outside and play soccer.
After seven years of select soccer, winning gold at the Junior Olympics in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and playing on my high school varsity team, I began to feel burnt out by the sport that had always been a source of joy for me and made the difficult decision not to pursue playing soccer at the college level.
Shortly after I settled into my dorm room, however, I found myself wishing that I’d continued to play soccer at a competitive level and couldn’t help but wonder if I’d made a mistake. Craving the grass underneath my cleats, I joined an otherwise all-male intramural team and quickly became the target opponents wanted to push off the ball any chance they got.
I relished the challenge and found myself working on my footwork, core strength, and speed in my downtime after class so that I could outsmart the players who simply wanted to knock me down. As my speed and skills improved, I was knocked down less and found myself enjoying more room on the field as my teammates rallied around me.
Although the intramural team disbanded one season later, I kept working on my footwork and still use some of the same drills I’ve learned from my coaches along the way as my go-to soccer workout on days when I want to switch up my fitness routine a bit.
All you need to complete this workout is a soccer ball and some open space. I’ll typically walk across the street and execute this workout on the middle school soccer fields adjacent to my home. But this workout can also be done in a backyard, local park, or even indoors (though I would definitely recommend a room with some space and storing any valuables in a safe place). I also typically wear soccer cleats for this workout, but they are not required—just be sure to avoid any damp/wet grass if you’re in tennis shoes as you could easily slip and end up on your bum.

But first…we need to warm up those muscles.

Before you dive into the specific exercises, I strongly recommend warming up your body a bit for these soccer-style movements. I try to do my warm up in an area where I have 10+ yards to run (like the soccer field at the middle school across from my home, but a backyard setting works nicely here as well).
Using the 10-yard marker on the field, I do the following movements consecutively to complete one circuit. I do each movement down to the marker and back to the starting position before beginning the next exercise. All four exercises combined compose my mini circuit. I do this entire circuit a total of five times, taking 30-second breaks after each individual exercise.

  • Butt kicks: This movement is similar to a light jog, but instead of going with your normal gait, you bring the backs of your heels up to lightly kick your own bum as you move forward. If you don’t want grass and/or mud stains on your clothes, you can place your hands, palms facing out, near the bottom of your cheeks so that you can kick your hands instead.  
  • Side shuffles: With your hips shoulder width apart, squat low as though you are a hockey goalie (you can put your hands out in front if this helps you with balance) and shuffle sideways like a crab without crossing your legs over each other. You should be facing right or left during this movement, not looking straight ahead. Begin by facing right and then switch to facing left on your return.
  • High knees: This movement is similar to marching in place, except you are moving your body forward at a faster pace. Try to bring each knee up to about chest level and remember to keep breathing.  
  • Slow jog: Take this time to be mindful of how your body is feeling. This is a great time to catch your breath if you’re feeling a bit winded from the other exercises.  

After I’ve warmed up my body and awoken my legs from their sedentary slumber, I like to gently stretch for about five minutes. During this time I’ll typically focus on stretching my hamstrings, quads, calf muscles, and hips to prepare my body for the remaining exercises.

My Go-To Soccer Workout

Full disclosure: some of the following exercise names (i.e. juggling) are legit, but some are completely made up by my brain as a way to remember the motions involved.

Tap, Tap, Pull

With your soccer ball in between your legs, pass the ball with the inside of your right foot to the inside of your left foot (this counts as the first tap in the title). As soon as the ball touches your left foot, pass the ball slightly in front of your right foot (this counts as the second tap). The soccer ball will now be slightly in front of your right foot. Using the bottom of your right foot (specifically the front portion or ball of your foot), pull the soccer ball back until your right foot is under your torso and the ball is in front of your right foot and begin the exercise over again. Do the entire tap, tap, pull motion 10 times on each side.

Push-Pull

While balancing on your left foot, tap the soccer ball slightly forward with the inside of your right foot and then pull it back closer to your body using the bottom of your right foot as you continue to hop and balance on your left foot. Do this exercise 10 times on each side.

Juggling

Juggling is one of the cooler soccer skills in my opinion, but it isn’t as easy as it looks. Try juggling the soccer ball on your thighs for three to five minutes, using the top of your thighs to make contact with the soccer ball. You can incorporate other body parts (feet, shoulders, and head!) as you become more comfortable, but the thighs are typically a great place to start since they offer more surface area. The key is to keep your touches soft and controlled so that you are able to keep the ball close to your body.

Weave

Place eight to ten cones (or household items as makeshift cones—I personally like using mason jars) in a straight line about two steps apart. Using the inside and outside surfaces of your right foot only, weave the soccer ball through the cones—going around the outside of one cone, then the inside of another, then back to the outside until you’ve gone through the entire line of cones. Once you arrive at the other end, turn around and weave your way back using only the opposite foot. This counts as one round. Repeat this weaving motion 6 to 10 times.

Roll Over

With the soccer ball near your right foot, gently place your right foot on the side of the soccer ball and roll the ball underneath the sole of your foot so that the soccer ball winds up on your left side. Repeat the motion with your left foot to return the ball to your right side. Do this movement 20 times total, switching your dominant foot with each roll.

Toe Taps

With the soccer ball placed in front of you, lightly tap the top of the ball with the bottom of your right foot then alternate to tap the top of the ball with the bottom of your left foot. Repeat this motion as you pick up the pace of your taps and find your rhythm. Do this for three 30 second rounds, resting for 10 to 15 seconds between each round.
Want to kick it up a notch? For an added layer of difficulty, slowly move your body and the soccer ball forward as you tap the top of the ball. This will require you to lightly push or roll the soccer ball forward as you tap. Once you have this motion down, you can try moving backward and even side-to-side while maintaining your toe tap rhythm.

Bonus: Ab Work

Keep It Up

For this exercise, imagine that the soccer ball is something extremely important to you that you do not want to drop. You want to hold this item up and keep it off the ground throughout this entire exercise (think: the floor is lava!).  
Starting in a seated position, lift both of your feet off of the ground while holding the soccer ball out in front of you. Try to hold this position for three 30 second rounds, taking 10 to 15 seconds to rest in between each round.

Ball Pass

Lay down flat on your back with your legs straight out in front of you (your feet should be hip-width apart), hold the soccer ball with both hands above your head so that the soccer ball and your body are making a straight line. Without straining your neck, keep both legs straight while bringing them up close to the center of your body and simultaneously using your arms to bring the soccer ball up to meet your legs. From there, place the ball in between your feet (squeeze tightly so that the ball cannot fall out) and bring your legs and arms back to the starting position. The soccer ball should now be in between your feet—not your hands. Repeat this 10 to 15 times—passing the ball between your feet and your hands—for 3 sets.  

Cooldown

To cool down, I will jog once or twice (depends on my mood to be honest) around the entire soccer field (you could jog around your backyard, take a lap around the playground, or even jump rope for a few minutes) before I stretch for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. I don’t have a specific stretching routine for my cool down, I just really try to listen to my body and focus on where I’m feeling a bit tight.  
When my body and mind are feeling more at ease, I like to incorporate some breathwork, specifically the equal breathing technique, to further calm my mind and slow my heart rate. In a seated position on the field, I will breathe in through my nose for 5 counts and out of my nose for 5 counts for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. This time allows me to meditate and show gratitude for my body, the environment, and the workout I just accomplished as a strong body is not complete without a strong mind.  
If you try my soccer workout, I want to know your thoughts! Post in the HealthyWay Collective Facebook group if you enjoyed this soccer-inspired sweat-sesh or let me know what exercises you would add.

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I Can Sleep Anywhere. Here Are My Top Tips

I’m basically a professional sleeper. I try to get at least nine hours a night and I nap whenever I can. I can fall asleep whenever, wherever—I’ve fallen asleep on a couch at HealthyWay HQ and in the passenger seat of a car on a 10-minute drive, and I always curl up in my airplane seat and doze off as soon as I sit down.
Despite getting what some people consider an insane amount of sleep, I still used to find myself fatigued. After doing some research, I learned that it’s not just the amount of sleep you get that matters; the way you sleep does too.
Now, I’m a professional sleeper who actually feels refreshed in the morning (well, most days). Here’s how I do it.

Cool down your room.

Research has proven the necessity of thermoneutrality—a state of balance between you and your environment—in sleep. A 1994 study showed that the ideal temperature for sleep is 16° to 19° C (60° to 66° F) if you’ve got pajamas and a light sheet. That means you should seriously cool down your room to get the best sleep. Trust me, there’s no better feeling than having your A/C blasting at 64° while you’re snuggling under a cozy blanket.

Put the phone away.

Blue light is the nemesis of sleep. At least that’s what this letter from Harvard Medical School says. Blue wavelengths, like those emanating from our screens, are seriously disruptive to melatonin secretion and circadian rhythms. So the best thing to do is limit your interaction with screens.
But it’s 2018 and that can feel pretty impossible (no judgment: I work on a computer all day long). So the next best thing is to make use of your phone’s blue light filter or download a dedicated app, like Flux, which will make your screen’s light a little warmer, eliminating some of the blue light issue.

Chill on the caffeine (and alcohol and cigarettes).

It’s both a blessing and a curse that caffeine doesn’t seem to affect me too much—I don’t honestly see too many benefits, but it doesn’t keep me up late either. For many other people, though, that’s not the case. If you find yourself struggling to sleep, start tracking your caffeine intake after noon and consider cutting back—it could be affecting you more than you know.
And while you might be inclined to go for a nightcap if you’re feeling particularly restless, that 1994 study pointed out that although alcohol can act as a “relaxing, sedative agent” if you drink right before bedtime, you might wake up more in the night or not get the quality rest you need, thanks to its activation of your sympathetic nervous system.
As for nicotine, you already know you need to quit—I won’t harp on about it. But as it relates to sleep, the same study said that at high concentrations, it inhibits sleep. (It also said that at low concentrations, it leads to sedation, but I hardly think the risks of nicotine are worth it.)

Make your room a sleeper’s paradise.

This might mean calling in the big guns: blackout curtains, eye masks, white noise machines, ear plugs, fans, and more. Here’s why.

Noise Pollution

A 2000 study in the journal Neuron found that sound stimulates our auditory cortex when we’re awake and during non–rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. (Remember that REM sleep is the really good stuff.) But while some parts of the brain were less activated during sleep than while awake, other parts of the brain were still activated by noise.
This led the researchers to believe that even while we’re sleeping, our brain can process noise stimulation. In order to reduce this brain activity, try employing a white noise machine. A 2005 study from Sleep Medicine showed that “mixed frequency white noise” prevented people from waking up because it masks the difference between normal background noise and any other loud noises.

Light Pollution

It’s important to get outside during the day to keep your circadian rhythm regulated, but when it comes to bedtime, shutting the world out is key. A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that light in a bedroom suppressed melatonin levels and made subjects’ bodies “think” that night is shorter than it is, meaning they didn’t get as much sleep as they could’ve (or should’ve). The National Sleep Foundation recommends using dim lamps, blackout curtains, and even eye masks when you sleep. This will force your body to fall asleep—and stay that way.

Get your mind right.

My last sleep tip is my favorite tip: Do your nighttime skincare routine. Or pick something else that’s relaxing to you. That might be reading a book or journaling (next to a low-wattage lamp, of course), meditating, taking a warm bath, or doing a light yoga flow.
It’s a trick new parents the world over quickly learn: Having a bedtime routine is an easy way to signal to babies that bedtime is imminent. And while we are grown women who don’t have people tucking us in bed at night, we can still trick the cavewoman parts of our brains into getting ready for sleep by engaging in the same rituals night after night.
Slow, steady, and calm… And then we drift off into dreamland.
Sweet dreams, ladies.

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How To Build The Ultimate Home Gym When You’re Short On Space (And Cash)

The great gym debate was my daily struggle throughout the first two years of my professional career. Each evening during my commute I would ask myself: Should I force myself to go to the gym when all I want to do is beat traffic and get home to my fur babe? Do I race home only to find myself sitting on the couch filled with regret that I hadn’t just sucked it up and prioritized physical exercise? Is the money I’m spending on this gym membership each month actually worth it if I don’t attend daily?
Now you may be wondering, Why doesn’t this chick wake up earlier and work out before she goes to the office? And that, my fellow boss babes, is a valid question. I have, however, attempted the early-riser workout multiple times during my lifetime, and it has a success rate of zero for me since I am not my true self in the morning but instead a crabby toddler trapped inside of a grown woman’s body.
Since I’ve learned through trial and error that evening workouts are what works best for my schedule and body, I was initially drawn to the idea of a gym membership, especially one that offered access to various fitness classes later in the day. Despite this enticing group class atmosphere, I still found myself rushing home after a long day at work and avoiding the gym entirely. As I calculated the cost of my gym membership in my head ($20 per month x 12 = $240 each year), it dawned on me that I could remove this daily source of stress and guilt by creating my own home gym!

Home Sweet Home

Shortly after this realization, I decided to cancel my gym membership and began seeking free ways to keep my body moving after work such as plogging and began repurposing my gym membership money into funds for equipment for my home gym.
Fortunately for me, my house has a small extra bedroom (8 x 10) that my fiancé and I use as an office that I knew would be the ideal place to create my gym. Although this room isn’t particularly large, it does offer a lot of natural light, which I find comforting after a long day at the office staring at a computer monitor (or three).
As I began to brainstorm what items I would need for my home gym, I knew that I wanted to keep the space both minimalistic and motivating since—let’s face it—I’m 26 and short on time and cash, so I want to make my home workout efforts count. To create my ideal workout sanctuary, I prioritized finding versatile, compact fitness equipment that could be easily stored in a corner of the office/home gym room.

So what’s in my home gym, you ask?

  • Resistance bands: These different colored natural latex bands are associated with varying levels of resistance so that you can increase the level of difficulty as you become more experienced. I was drawn to this particular set because they came with a compact storage bag and a workout instruction guide. Looking for some full-body resistance band exercises to try? Look no further, sis. HealthyWay HQ has you covered, just click here.
  • Adjustable kettlebell: Some people choose to buy a kettlebell set (typically with three individual kettlebells of varying weights), and that is totally fine, but I personally love the portability of this adjustable kettlebell. You can easily adjust this kettlebell from 5 lbs to 8 lbs and up to 12 lbs with a simple click and twist motion. Kettlebell workouts are a wonderful option for a full-body workout and are my go-to if I’m feeling anxious, so this adjustable kettlebell was a must-have item for my home gym.  
  • Jump rope: Ah, the trusty jump rope! This workout staple is not only compact and easy to transport, but jumping rope also has some impressive cardio benefits. (If you aren’t blessed with high ceilings like I am, you might need to take this part of your home workout into the yard.) Though I’m no jump rope queen like Janine Delaney, I do find jumping rope a great way to warm up my body before starting a bodyweight workout circuit. Want to try the HealthyWay jump-rope workout challenge? Start here.  
  • Dumbbells: Dumbbells were another item that I knew I wanted to have in my home gym. When I went to local sporting goods stores to buy new dumbbells, however, I was a bit startled by the prices, so I began scouring local garage and estate sales in the hopes of finding a more budget-friendly dumbbell set. About two months later, I purchased a pair of 10 lb dumbbells for $3 from an elderly man who was moving to Florida to retire. Although he refused to take me to the beach with him, he did give me a great deal on these gently used dumbbells! If you’re trying to save some cheddar while designing your home gym space, I strongly recommend exploring what your local garage salers have to offer. If Amazon shopping is more your thing, these cast-iron and rubber dumbbells are a great place to start your search.

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  • Yoga mat + towel: Despite the fact that hot yoga is my practice of choice, I still enjoy rolling out my mat at home for a 20-30 minute vinyasa flow at least once each week. This reversible lululemon yoga mat and towel was definitely a splurge, but since I use these items multiple times per week (at home and in a studio setting), this was an investment that I could justify.
  • Soccer ball: My athletic career began at the age of three when my father gave me my first soccer ball. A select soccer career and Junior Olympics championship later, I still always keep a soccer ball handy (although my footwork and cardio are nowhere near what they used to be). A soccer ball is a relatively cheap investment that can last for years. Once a week I’ll juggle the soccer ball or do various exercises in my home gym, using household items like mason jars in place of cones. These exercises keep my mind focused and heart rate elevated as I challenge myself with different patterns to put my footwork to the test. Plus, this is a great way for me to switch up my workout routine that brings back happy memories. For full disclosure: I have had the same size 5 soccer ball for the past five years, so this wasn’t something that I needed to buy for my home gym. I am personally a fan of adidas soccer balls, but it is really a matter of personal preference. Most quality soccer balls will cost between $20 to $45 on average.
  • Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes: I’m admittedly a bit of a germaphobe, so I like to keep these natural surface cleaning wipes handy in my home gym to wipe down any equipment (aside from my yoga mat—but for ways to clean your yoga mat, we’ve got you covered here) after use. It also makes me feel good to take care of my home gym items so that I can ideally extend the life of these purchases and make my investments last for years to come.

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By making conscious product selections, I was able to acquire all of the equipment that I needed for my home gym for less than I would’ve spent on a one-year gym membership. If my calculations are correct *pushes up glasses*, these items cost around $160 (we can call it $180 if I had purchased a new soccer ball), so I’ve already saved $60 by making this switch.  
Aside from the cost aspect, one of the things I love most about my home gym is that I no longer have to worry about the great gym debate during my commute after work because my gym is within my home.
With these few items, I now have the ability to do cardio workouts, kettlebell exercises, bodyweight workouts, yoga flows, and so much more—all from the comfort of my home! When I’m feeling uninspired, I simply turn to YouTube and watch workout videos from Blogilates or listen to a HealthyWay Collective playlist for a motivation boost.
Speaking of motivation—that is the final important element of my home gym space. To remind me why I began my fitness journey in the first place, I’ve hung various positive affirmations and images of women who inspire me on the walls and try to keep the room as clutter-free as possible. To achieve this, I keep my yoga mat and towel in a slender, hand-me-down basket from my mom, use a homemade wooden wall mount for my jump rope and resistance bands, and keep the remainder of my exercise equipment in a small storage box that was once collecting dust in my basement.  
With a little bit of space, a few repurposed items, and some lucky Amazon steals and garage sale finds, you too can create your ultimate home gym for less than what you would spend on a gym membership. With that being said, I want to conclude by pointing out that my intent is to show that you can create an epic home gym for less than what you would spend on a gym membership…but that doesn’t mean you should. If the gym is your happy place—go to the gym and get your sweat on, girl! Each one of us has our own unique fitness journey and sources of motivation, so do what works best for you.
If you create your own home gym space, I’d love to see! Be sure to post your pics in the HealthyWay Collective Facebook group or tag @itsthehealthyway on Instagram.