If you had asked me a few months ago how my fitness routine was going, I probably would have laughed, or just changed the subject.

Life has a way of getting loud, doesn’t it? For me, that “loud” is very literal. I live with 15 pets. Most of my day is entirely dedicated to them including proper feeding, cleaning, training, and making sure everyone is healthy and happy. By the time I’ve finished making sure 15 other heartbeats are taken care of, I usually have zero energy left for my own.

I fell into a major lapse. I wasn’t working out, and the gap between “who I used to be” and “where I was” felt like a canyon I couldn’t cross.

The Myth of the “Perfect” Gym Workout

When I first committed to getting back into a consistent fitness routine, my first thought was to look at local gym memberships. But let’s be real for a second, between the drive time, the packing of the gym bag, and the sheer logistics of leaving a property with 15 animals to manage, going to a traditional brick-and-mortar gym just wasn’t realistic.

Every hour away from the house is an hour away from property chores, family time, and pet care. Plus, to be completely honest, leaving my fur babies behind to go stare at a blank gym wall or a boring television screen didn’t sound appealing at all.

I didn’t want a fitness routine that forced me to escape my life; I wanted a routine that fit seamlessly into it. That’s when I realized the solution was right in front of me: home workouts.

And the truth? A 20-minute workout in your living room while your dog tries to lick your face is 100% better than the 60-minute gym session you never actually went to. Whether you have 15 pets like me, or just one high-needs dog and a hectic job, we all share that same feeling of being at the bottom of our own to-do list. The “secret” to consistency isn’t finding more time; it’s finding a system that fits into the chaos you already have.

1. The Zero-Commute Advantage

2. Everything is Included

You aren’t constantly being asked to buy the “next” thing. Once you have the membership, every single program they’ve ever made is right there in the app.

It also includes nutrition plans and mindset masterclasses, which I actually found helpful for managing the “busy mama” burnout.

3. Your Pets Actually Help (Usually)

While it might seem like pets are a distraction, they can actually keep you accountable. My crew knows when the workout mat comes out, it’s a specific time of day. It builds a routine for them, too.

How I Finally Broke the Lapse

Once I had access to the entire BODi library, I had to figure out where to actually start. I knew if I tried some crazy, high-intensity bootcamp, I’d quit after three days.

I scrolled through the options and found 4 Weeks 4 Every Body. I chose it specifically because it’s a low-impact program. I didn’t want to start with a HIIT program or jump around and feel defeated; I just wanted to move again. The cast was actually fun to watch! They didn’t feel like “fitness robots.” And for the first time in a long time, I felt good after a workout instead of exhausted.

That program was the bridge. It made me feel so good in my own body that it gave me the strength and the motivation to eventually move up to higher-impact workouts. It proved that I didn’t have to start at 100%—I just had to start.

The Best Part of Working Out at Home? The Four-Legged Moral Support

A lot of fitness blogs will tell you how to “isolate” yourself from your animals or how to work out without interruptions. But around here, we don’t do that. Involving my pets in my daily movement has made working out one of the absolute best, most joyful parts of my day.

If you’ve never tried to do a workout with a large pet family, you are missing out. Here is what my “fur-assisted” fitness routine actually looks like:

 Built-in Resistance Training: Who needs fancy gym weights when you have cats? Trying to hold a plank or push-up position becomes a hilarious core workout when a cat decides your back is the perfect place to take a afternoon nap.

 The Ultimate Yoga Mat Magnets: It is a universal scientific law that a yoga mat cannot touch the floor without a cat immediately claiming it as their new bed or scratcher. Instead of fighting it, I’ve just learned to share the mat space.

 Over-Enthusiastic Cheerleaders: My dogs genuinely think that whenever I get down on the floor for stretching or floor work, it’s a low-profile invitation for face licks and cuddles.

The only thing you truly have to be careful of is situational awareness! Depending on the dynamic moves you’re doing, you definitely have to watch your step so you don’t accidentally trip over an over-enthusiastic fur baby who wants to participate. But otherwise? Having them involved makes the entire process incredibly fun!!

Let’s Be Healthy Pet Parents Together!

If you’ve been in a lapse, or if you feel like your pets have taken over your entire identity, I get it. You don’t need a gym. You don’t even need a lot of time. You just need to start somewhere that feels doable.

For me, that was getting a BODi membership and starting with 4 Weeks 4 Every Body. It’s the only thing that’s actually fit into my “15-pet” life without making me feel more stressed. If I can do it, you can too! Click here to check out the subscription plans, nutrition plans, supplements, and more, and use code ELAINEIBODI for 15% off!

(The links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use and believe in!!)