Downsize@Home – Losing Weight from Home

Home sweet home, there’s nothing like it.  I have worked out at gyms over the years and really benefited from boot camps, and once had a personal trainer.  I learned how to do various exercises the right way so as to not hurt myself and gain the most resistance from each move.  But when it comes down to it, I’d prefer to workout at home.  However, as you know, the number one problem with working out at home is that you are accountable to no one.  No one cares if you’re late…or if you don’t show up at all.  Only you know…and you’re probably feeling guilty about it.

Eventually, you slip away from exercise, time goes on and you have developed a new routine, but not one that includes exercise.  What you need is the accountability of a team and the instruction of a coach. I read about a new concept in weight loss that is gaining ground so I inquired to get more information about the program.  For people who are obese, sometimes getting to a gym is not even a consideration.   Many of the classes going on are way too fast or involved.  They may feel embarrassed by their weight.  Have you seen most gyms?  A good portion of the gym tends to be more fit then less.  A gym is not an option for them.

Downsize@Home is a real-time support network and community that hosts 10 classes a week (5 in the morning, 5 in the late afternoon/evening) online to allow people to exercise together with a coach/instructor from the comfort of everyone’s home.  The classes are small – usually 9 or less, last 1 hour, and you can see and talk to the instructor and your classmates during your workout!  Downsize@Home uses Google Hangout to videoconference with the class.  Every participant can use either their PC or a laptop, log into Google, and click on the link from the instructor to join the class.

Classes offered include:

• Total Body Conditioning
• Cardio Intervals
• 20/20/20 (cardio, strength training, and core/flexibility)
• Strictly Strength
• Weekly nutrition coaching

In Addition to the Class

What I also like about Downsize@Home is that they have a nutrition class in addition to these 10 classes, where participants can learn more about healthy eating and ask questions about their own habits.  Again, all classes are through Google Hangout, so you can see the instructor and other members too from your classes.   The nutrition class discusses food, decisions, meals, meal planning, and more. Trainers also check in with clients monthly on a one-on-one video conference to ensure they are obtaining their weightless goals.

In addition, if at anytime during the program you have a question, help is just an e-mail away.  Downsize@Home is committed to helping their clients improve their health.   Downsize is an actual gym with 4 locations across the United States.  it is the world’s first overweight-only gym.  Downsize@Home was created later so they could reach more people who desperately needed this type of program.  Downsize’s CEO was a Goldman Sach’s analyst.  He was dedicated to his job, but his weight suffered.  He lost over 200 lbs. and decided to dedicate himself to the Downsize gym and Downsize@Home to give other people the hope that life can be different and healthier for them.

Once a person signs up for Downsize@Home, they are scheduled for a modification class which identifies when the last time the client worked out, what their workout preferences are, areas they need help in, etc.  This first class is designed to be an easier start to ease the client into the program.  Downsize knows how intimidating it can be to be new in a class at a traditional gym, so they do what they can to mitigate their client’s fears.  They want to lower their client’s fears so people can be motivated to stick to their new routines.  People can take classes from home, their work, even on their phone!

My Experience

In this picture, I am lifting weights while following the instructor in the Google Hangout.  Sorry for the blurry picture, my 7 year old son took it, and this was the best one!

I had the opportunity to join a 20/20/20 Downsize@Home class from my home.  Two other clients joined me and one other expected client was missing.  Everyone wondered where she was.  I’m certain she received an email from one or more of the classmates later that morning as well as the trainer.  It was fun to see the other class participants and get a glimpse into their “workout rooms.”  It seemed as if one worked out in her family room and the other perhaps by his front door.  He lives in a an apartment in downtown Boston, you could hear sirens and planes buzz by.

Our trainer, Jillian, worked out from her Downsize office in Chicago.  Being from California, I felt we were a good representation of the US. We used weights most of the time.  It wasn’t long before I could feel myself being a little winded.  I could see that I wasn’t alone, but you know what?  Nobody stopped, they just kept going, after all, everyone was watching each other.  Using a tablet, laptop, or PC with a video camera and mic allows you to communicate easily (as long as you weren’t too winded!) during your workout.  Before each exercise, Jillian would show us the proper way to hold our weights or stand/sit properly.  She would change the angle of her camera to show us the moves first, then she’d move it to more of an upper body shot.

I’m not going to say the time flew by, but it went by faster than I thought with the variety of moves we covered, watching the others as we worked out, and hearing the sirens at times in the background.  We all said goodbye and Jillian told us about the upcoming special Nutritionist guest we could meet with online.  Afterwards, I felt a bit sore.

Downsize was started in December 2011.  Since then, they have helped their clients lose 5,000 pounds collectively.  The gym has made modifications to cater to clients wants and needs.  Downsize@Home was created due to feedback from it’s members.  A Downsize@Home membership is $99/mo with unlimited classes and bi-weekly nutrition coaching.

A Mom’s Perspective

Gaining weight is so easy to do and so hard to take off.  Sometimes it piles on so fast that you lose hope of ever losing it again.  But there is hope.  You, a family member, or a friend doesn’t have to stay overweight forever.  With the help of technology, there are new ways to do things that weren’t possible before.  Downsize@Home helps connect you or a friend or family member with people, many of which are facing the same trials you are with their weight.

Downsize@Home not only provides instructional support, nutritional support, and classes, but a growing community of support through their online community. My Mom struggled with her weight her whole life.  In many ways, it controlled her.  But we are not defined by our weight.  Downsize@Home helps people take control back in their life and encourages them to lead the life they always wanted to lead.    One of the guys I worked out with, started at 400 lbs, but had been steadily shedding his weight by taking 10 Downsize@Home classes a week!  Talk about determination!  Downsize@Home is an impressive program, one geared towards a person’s success, both mentally and physically.

*  I was able to try one class of Downsize@Home to experience how it works.  All opinions are my own.