Guest Post by Lynn Smith, Fort Worth Health Coach and Co-author of The YES Diet: A New System for Permanent Weight Loss, Written by Women for Women.

Editor’s Note: After my review of Lynn’s book, which she co-wrote with Debbie Schroeder, I was intrigued by the claim they made that you didn’t actually need to belong to a gym to get into shape. In fact, they said that for some the gym took so much time as to be counter-productive. I asked Lynn to expand on this theme in a blog post, and she generously complied. She’s changed my thinking about this matter. I’m even wondering if I should let my gym membership go. Of course, we don’t have a sauna in the house, and I dearly love that sauna … so I’m still on the fence. Now if I could only run like 5KandCabernets.

1. Why do we find it so hard to exercise? To what degree does belonging to a gym address this?

I think many people see it as something they must to do rather than want to do. We get tired of having things on our list of what must get done. If exercising is something you really dread doing, work at finding an activity you really enjoy. For some people, that may be dancing or playing a sport. Exercise doesn’t have to be all about working out on a machine. Try doing something outside like walking or biking. The point is to get moving.

2. Is having enough money really stopping people from getting in shape?

No. That might be an excuse they’re using: “I’ll start working out when I can afford the gym.” A gym is not necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

3. How hard is it, really, to get in shape without the help of a gym?

It’s not as hard as you’d think. There are plenty of ways to workout at home. And with the internet, it’s very easy to find information. We have decent weather for a good portion of the year here, so being outside can be very enjoyable. A person could walk, or run or ride a bike. Strength training can be done at home with the use of free weights. There are plenty of DVDs for those who want to follow an instructor’s moves.

4. If you had to choose a gym or a personal trainer or health coach, what are the different issues each one can address?

With a gym you have the advantage of scheduled classes and professional advice, if you should need it. There’s always someone there you can ask if you need help with proper posture on a machine. With scheduled classes, it might make it easier to commit to being there. I would say that a big advantage to belonging to a club would be the variety at your disposal. Between the machines, classes and other activities, a person could have a lot of different types of workouts.

With a personal trainer there is the advantage of one-on-one expertise. Every workout is customized with your specific goals and abilities in mind. And one is less likely to skip a workout when they have an appointment to do so. The problem with that can be the cost. Any time you get one-on-one attention it is going to cost more.

With health coaching, there is the accountability factor. When you tell your coach what goal you want to accomplish before the next session, you are more apt to follow through. When we tell ourselves we are going to be at that Pilates class but no one else knows that, it’s easy to let ourselves down. The coaching relationship keeps one more on track.

5. Are there some people for whom joining a gym is going to be more beneficial? Some for whom it really doesn’t make sense?

There are those that prefer a more social setting. The idea of working out alone for some may seem unappealing, so therefore, they aren’t regular with it. For someone like that, a group setting is ideal. They’d probably enjoy the classes.

But then there are those that don’t enjoy the social setting. I fall into that category. I don’t have a gym membership. I’d rather be outside, so I run. I found I am more likely to exercise if I can be outside. When I had a gym membership, I could never motivate myself to go. But give me a sunny morning and I’m lacing up my shoes!

6. What are the types of exercise that are easiest to do at home?

There are plenty of cardio workouts on DVD. Check out the selection and choose whatever looks more fun to you. And then there are all those outside activities, running, biking. Strength training can easily be done at home with free weights. They’re easy to find and pretty inexpensive. Yoga is also good for strength and flexibility.

7. What record keeping tools should be used for a home-based exercise program?

Depends on how much detail you want to record. I write my running and weight days on my daily planner, that helps me know how regular my workouts are. Some people may prefer to keep a journal. This can be something as simple as a notebook – I’ve done this type of record-keeping before – or you may choose to invest in a nice bound journal to make it special.

8. Any books or reading materials (in addition to your own) you’d recommend for those who are planning a home-based exercise program?

The most important recommendation I could make would be to choose something you are excited about. There are plenty of exercise books and magazines on the market, each with different types of workouts but if you aren’t thrilled with them, you won’t use them. Choose what you’re attracted to rather than what’s popular. If everyone at work is talking about some new workout but it doesn’t move you, you won’t do it. Let me give you an example. I was standing in the store check-out a few weeks back. My eye caught a headline in some fitness magazine. It was a free weight workout. I’ve never read the magazine before but I bought it for that workout. I’ve been doing that workout regularly since I got it but still haven’t read the rest of the magazine. Go with what moves you.

9. How do we know if we’re exercising enough?

How much exercise is enough will depend on each individual and their current fitness level. If you don’t move at all, any physical activity is fabulous. Of course, when it comes to exercise, I always defer to the recommendations of the physician, but in general 30 to 45 minutes of vigorous physical activity 4 to 5 days a week is the minimum once you have worked up to that level. The body also does best with mixing up your workouts. A combination of cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training during the week will keep you in top physical condition.

Follow Lynn on Twitter: @lynnsmithtx

To get your free report: “10 Energy Zappers and How to Eliminate Them” visit Lynn’s Health Coach Team website.