Winter is fast approaching, and despite all our good intentions earlier in the year, finding the motivation to exercise during the winter months can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated, no matter how cold or dark it is.
Exercise with company
Planning to work out with a friend, colleague, or even your partner makes it much more difficult to skip a workout or stay home at the last minute. Knowing you’ll be letting someone else down if you don’t go for that swim, jog, or exercise class is a great motivator to help keep you on track even when you’d rather be cozied up indoors.
Invest in the right clothes
Whether it’s warmer leggings or a waterproof running jacket, make sure your clothes don’t become an excuse not to move. Investing in the correct sportswear or athletic clothing for your activity and clothes that will keep you warm and dry will make exercising during winter more pleasant and make you less likely to skip workouts when the weather is bad.
Stay safe
Colder months are usually synonymous with reduced visibility outdoors, so make sure you keep this in mind if you exercise outdoors. You’ll need to be particularly careful if you usually exercise first thing in the morning or the evening after work as it’s likely to be dark then. If you’re out walking or running, wear high-visibility or reflective clothing so that you can easily be seen by motorists, and let someone know what route you’ll be taking in case you’re injured or the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Set goals
Thinking about your spring fitness goals will give you something to work towards and help you stay on track during winter. Whether you’re building up your stamina for an organized event such as a race, hike, or competition, or you’re looking to lose weight, knowing what you want to achieve and by when will make your goals seem clearer and more achievable, which will help you stay motivated when you’re getting out of bed to hit the gym on a cold, rainy day.
Consider joining a gym
Even if you typically prefer working out outdoors, there are many benefits to a gym membership during the colder months. Not only will you stay warm and dry during your workout, but it can be a good way to get acclimatized to a gym environment and establish a routine before the January rush when gyms typically get busy with people setting New Year’s resolutions.
Some people – especially women – suffer from gym anxiety. European lingerie brand Hunkemoller found that over a quarter (28%) of women in the UK feel anxious in the gym, as do around 16% of men. If this is you, bear in mind that you’re not alone, but it’s essential to prioritize your wellbeing and overcome this fear. Taking a friend along with you and booking a gym induction to help you get to know the equipment can make a big difference.
Update your playlist
Music can have a significant effect on our mood so be sure to keep your exercise playlist fresh with plenty of upbeat, high-energy, motivational tunes to help you get going and stay motivated throughout your workout.
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