Dark mornings, shorter days and cold weather doesn’t have to mean that your exercise routine falls by the wayside, however staying motivated to go for a run or walk outside on a dark, cold morning requires a lot more motivation than it does in July!
Getting outside to exercise in the winter not only benefits our physical health, but it also helps to produce serotonin, the feel-good hormone, which can significantly decrease in the winter months as we spend limited time in natural daylight.
Here are some tips and strategies to keep you on track;
1. Get the right kit
Invest in some good quality kit so that you can get outside in all weathers and be fully equipped, so thermal leggings, warm gloves, headbands, wind/waterproof running layer. You will be amazed how much easier it is to walk out of the door!
2. Make a plan – a realistic one – and stick to it!
Make a plan that gives you some structure so that you can keep your regime going, but make it realistic. Setting an unachievable plan will only leave you feeling disheartened and demoralized when you can’t stick to it, and that’s when you end up throwing in the towel.
Make a plan that know you can stick to, anything extra you can fit in is a bonus.
3. Get a personal trainer
Having personal training sessions once or twice a week can help to keep you motivated and accountable in and out of sessions. It also takes the pressure off planning your training and helps to ensure that you continue to make progress. You will often find that you can do more than you think when you are pushed by a trainer.
4. Book in an appointment
Make time for your sessions, whatever they may be, by booking them in your diary like any other personal appointment. That way you are accountable, you can’t run out of time or procrastinate!
5. Book a class or join a club
If you are a runner, joining a running club can help you to stick to your weekly/twice weekly run. Routes will already be planned for you so you just need to turn up, and having other people to run with can be quite motivating.
Similarly sign up to an exercise class, whether that be a spin class or a yoga class. Having a class booked in makes you accountable and takes the pressure off thinking of something yourself.
6. Get outside and go for a walk.
Wrap up warm and go for a walk, whether this be on a Sunday afternoon or power walk before or after work. Walking gets us outside, is great for stretching out your legs, hips, back and arms (especially if you spend a lot of time sitting in the office or travelling), it burns calories and is great for our mood.
7. Stay inside
There are plenty of workouts that you can do inside, whether that be your own routine, some yoga or a HITT session. Put on some music and get your blood pumping for 15 -30 mins.
8. Get a friend involved
Meeting up with a friend once a week for a gym session, walk or run provides motivation, keeps you accountable. Plus it gives you chance for a catch up and maybe a coffee at the end!
9. The summer
Consistency is key...Rather than letting your fitness routine dissolve over the winter, keeping active throughout the year will prevent you having to rebuild your fitness in the spring. It will also help to maintain your weight, helping to avoid trying to lose weight for that summer holiday.
10. Remember why you are doing it!
Remember why you are exercising, whether it be to stay fit and healthy, lose weight, get stronger, achieve a goal or have some head-space.