A night in front of the fire or an extra hour of sleep before work naturally feels more appealing than braving the cold for a brisk walk or session at the local gym, right? In some ways, winter offers benefits that summer doesn’t. In colder temperatures, your heart doesn’t work as hard and you perspire less, which means your exercise is more efficient, and your endurance is boosted.
Below are some tips on how you can keep yourself motivated:
Commit
Whether it’s signing up for a dance class once a week or joining a gym fitness challenge for three months – having a specific goal can structure your exercise routine and keep you inspired.
Buddy system
You’re less likely to cancel when you’re meeting up with a friend to exercise. Can’t tear your friends away from Netflix? You can make new friends by joining group hikes or doing free parkruns on Saturdays.
Keep warm
Wrap up warmly with base layers, gloves, and hats, especially if you’re travelling to or from an exercise venue. Looking sharp in a lightweight, temperature-controlled exercise kit can also help put a pep in your step and you’ll look and feel good too!
Variety
Variety is key to enjoying exercise. Doing the same type of training can be demotivating, so change it up for fun, and throw in a Zumba, pilates, or a non-impact aerobics dance class to keep you on your toes. It’s not about being a good dancer but rather having fun and staying fit.
Home options
No babysitter? The online options for training at home are vast and can save you on time and the cost of travelling, as well as having to step out into icy weather. From yoga, and kickboxing, to Tai Chi, the options are endless. Get your kids to join in on the fun too!
Rewards
Numerous apps and gadgets can monitor and record your efforts. Having a reward to look forward to is a key motivator. The biggest reward of all is that with regular exercise you will look and feel better too.
Speak to one of our NMG SmartAssist biokineticists and dieticians at no charge if you need more information to help you stay healthy this winter.