It can be tricky to stick to your workout schedule in the winter. Amidst plummeting temperatures, darker, shorter days, and wet and windy weather, even the most avid of athletes can struggle to get out of the house to exercise. While it’s normal to feel more lazy and lethargic in the colder months, it is essential to stay on-point with your exercise regime – not least to help boost your immunity against seasonal colds and flus. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, take these tips on board to boost the efficiency of your workouts during this winter season.
Find a Partner
While training with a partner is a great way to get better results from your workouts all year round, ‘buddying up’ can come in especially handy in the wintertime. If you exercise outdoors in the colder months, training with a partner can go a long way in boosting morale and motivation – and feeling obliged to get out of bed in the morning! If you prefer private workout sessions, consider hiring a personal trainer to help you to achieve your goals. Two heads are always better than one!
Train Outdoors
It is tempting to stay indoors when the weather is harsh but exercising outdoors can do wonders for your mental health and wellbeing. Exposure to sunlight and fresh air is proven to boost mood and energy, so working out in the daylight hours could give you a much-needed lift and a spike in motivation. Just remember that road accidents are more common in the winter due to wet surfaces and lack of light, or poor vision due to rain and fog. Take precautions if your route takes you on the road – joggers and cyclists should wear hi-vis clothing and avoid busy areas to help prevent the need for making a claim for an accident or injury sustained during a winter run or bike ride.
Set Goals
To keep yourself motivated throughout the winter months, try to set goals for yourself. This could be signing up for an event like a charity run or working towards a lifelong aim such as doing a marathon or similar endurance test. It could also be tied into a wider health kick: exercise can assist you with clean eating habits and better sleep. By assigning yourself goals to work towards and ‘chunking’ larger tasks into manageable sections, you’ll notice a tangible improvement in your fitness and motivation levels and have the additional joy of being spurred on by regular new achievements.
Embrace the Endorphins
In the same way that exposure to sunlight can boost your mood, the act of exercising itself is well-known for improving our mental health and wellbeing. When you’re feeling down in the dumps or you don’t have the motivation to get out of the house for a workout, try to remember that exercising will make you feel better! Think of working out as an act of self-care rather than a chore and try to focus on the positive aspects of every exercise session – you could even consider keeping a workout diary to document your success.
