When Ree Drummond first decided to embark on her weight loss journey, it turned out to be exactly that—a journey! "I'm still working on it," she said in a recent update. But there are a few things that actually worked. Yes, she ate healthier dinners (with more protein), but she also took on the dreaded task of exercising.
"I made exercise a regular part of my day, whether I walked with the dogs or did the rowing machine (which is in our living room!)," she said.
Taking the time to use the rowing machine (even while she watched a movie), provided Ree with the movement she needed, especially on those chilly Oklahoma days. And take it from her: you don't need to be a star athlete to do it.
Ree recently shared a video of her rowing on Instagram. "If I were any more athletic, it'd be a crime," she joked.
Rowing is actually a great low impact exercise—so those with achy joints might find it particularly useful! It's also an effective form of cardio and a full-body workout that gets everything moving. (Even if you're not the sporty type.) Best of all, anyone can try rowing at home with a compact rowing machine. The Sunny Health & Fitness Rower is a budget-friendly option that's a popular pick on Walmart and has over 18,000 reviews on Amazon.
But aside from the good price point, you'll also love this rowing machine for its ability to work just as well as one you might find in a professional gym. It has a smooth glide padded seat and handy dandy adjustable foot straps for ultimate comfort. Plus, the 12 levels of resistance means that anyone can give it a try, even first time beginners.
The digital monitor will help you track your time, count, and calories burned. (Or you can upgrade your rower to a version that has a Bluetooth Smart App.) And when you're done rowing for the day, just tuck the machine away in the corner of your home—the slim design makes it perfect for smaller living spaces.
Ree says that she usually does about 30 minutes on her rowing machine. "What I realized is that small changes can lead to surprisingly big results," she says. And when you think about it, that's less time than it takes to make a tray of Oreo brownies. 😂 So, grab your favorite sneakers and start rowing!
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Kara Zauberman is the Senior Editor of Content Strategy at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, lifestyle, news, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, you can find her seeking out new restaurants or cooking for friends and family.
