How to stay motivated to exercise this winter
It is cold and snowy outside, and as the alarm wakes you from your sound slumber, you scold yourself for getting to bed so late last night. The thought of getting out of bed to hit the gym is as painful as the idea of skinny dipping in 40 degree water. It is the last thing you feel like doing. But, you do. You drag your warm, sleep deprived body out of bed just so you can run three miles before you have to go to work. After all, you know you won't be running after work, you'll be way to tired. Does this sound at all familiar to you?
As we have been so abruptly tossed into the throes of winter, I have definitely been feeling a little more like this...a little more each day. So how do you stay motivated to exercise, when the idea of gaining a little layer of 'insulation' around your body sounds like a better plan? Here are a few simple things to help you stay true to your healthy self, even during the coldest days:
Find a Winter Sport You Love: There are so many great winter sports that will provide you with a fun way to get in your exercise. There is down-hill skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, just to name a few. Try to add one or two of these into your regimen to keep things seasonally appropriate and fun.
Seasonally Appropriate Gear: As the seasons change, so should your workout clothes. Not that you ever need an excuse to go shopping, but having seasonal appropriate gear that looks good on you and keeps you warm is a must!
Holiday Parties and Vacations: During the holiday season, there is a good chance you will be running into old relatives, old flames and other individuals for whom you may want to look your best. Staying fit through the winter will keep you looking good and feeling good about yourself.
Prevention: The more fit you are, the less likely you will be to get sick. Really. Staying healthy is an important prevention tactic when it comes to warding off the sniffles, colds and flu.
Think about the Longer Term: Think about the warmer months to come: the bikinis, the pool parties, etc. Wouldn't it be wonderful to not have to shed your winter weight to be in great shape for them? Focusing on the longer term, whether the summer season coming around the corner or your overall long term health, is a great way to stay motivated to continue with your exercise program.
Adjust with Daylight: As daylight changes, so may your attitude towards what is the best time of day to workout. You may find that your normal evening workout isn't as easy to do as a morning time workout, or vice verse. It is best to find the time of day that is going to keep you motivated.
So as the temperatures drop, keep on trucking! Do you have any good motivations to keep you exercising this winter?
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