One of the things I noticed about myself when I first moved to Korea is the fact that my body was getting significantly… softer. This didn’t exactly boost my confidence, as I’d already put on quite a bit of weight prior to moving here as well. Unfortunately, most of the weight gain didn’t exactly come as a surprise. I had neglected to take care of myself during my first few months living here – which is something that I was always consciously aware of.

When I first started teaching English in Korea, I spent most of my weekends out in Seoul drinking with my friends and eating pub fare. I never exercised, barely cooked at home and was smoking and drinking more than normal. I was totally aware of these issues, but hadn’t taken the time to actually be proactive about bringing this much needed lifestyle change.

It wasn’t until I went to Vietnam in July 2014 that I’d realized how much weight I’d actually gained.

When I came back from my vacation, I decided to download the Couch to 5k running app, which helped me build endurance, enabling me to actually enjoy running. In the beginning, it was a slow and dreadful process, and the fact that I was still smoking made it that much harder. However, before I knew it, I was able to run for a few miles without even thinking twice about it. However, I needed something more than running and my amazing cheerleader of a boyfriend to keep me motivated.

How Blogilates Changed My Life

While running definitely helped me build endurance, I didn’t actually start losing weight until I began watching Blogilates videos on YouTube. There’s something incredible about Cassey; a bubbly, fit woman encouraging her audience to be better people while simultaneously driving them to insanity through torturous yet satisfyingly intense HIIT workouts designed for weight loss.

Try my personal favorite video:

Each day, I followed the Blogilates Workout Calendar diligently. Within weeks, I started noticing small changes in my body and began to feel more confident and happy with my tenacity – my life literally began to change. I cut back significantly on my alcohol consumption, permanently gave up smoking cigarettes and started to feel more energized and lighthearted.

The best part about this program is that all of the videos are free and available on YouTube. The Blogilates mobile app only costs me $1 each month, which is far cheaper than a gym – especially in Korea. One of my favorite features of this app is the community that I can connect with. I love to share inspirational quotes or progress pictures, all of which are backed by encouragement from others who are also on the path toward betterment.

I’ve Reignited My Passion for Cooking

Aside from the obvious joy of feeling stronger and healthier, one of the most wonderful changes that has happened during this entire transition is the fact that I’ve regained my sense of self in the kitchen. Cooking has always been my primary passion, and the fact that I have reclaimed this love lost is something that is extremely special to me. It’s allowed me to channel my creativity and feel a bit more comfortable and at home in Korea.

So to anyone out there who is struggling to find motivation or looking for new ways to stay in shape, I can honestly say that Blogilates has changed my life for the better. If I can do this, you can too! I recommend trying a few videos and see what you think. And to Cassey: Thank you for everything that you’ve done and continue to do. You are a light in the world and an inspiration to so many.