STAYING ACTIVE IN WINTER

Adhering to an exercise routine is hard enough let alone during the Winter months! Cold, dark and wet conditions are truly unmotivating making it difficult to leave the couch or bed.

So how do we stay motivated and overcome the obstacles that come with Winter? Well here are a few tips that might help!

PARTNER UP

Find an exercise partner or group that will hold you accountable. Exercise partners can provide support, camaraderie and a social element to your workout making it harder to skip that session.

HEATER ON

If your workout is in the early hours of the morning, program your heater to come on a few hours before to ensure the house is nice and warm making it easier to get up and get ready.

LUNCH WORKOUT

Moving your workout to a lunchtime session means you avoid the unmotivating early morning cold or the darkness of the evening.

PLAN AHEAD

Layout your workout gear the night before making it easier to get ready in the morning. And check the weather forecast the night before so you can preempt any change to your workout location.

DRESS UP

Get changed into your workout gear before leaving work making it easier to get to the gym.

Alternatively (and a little extreme but it works!) wear your workout gear to bed so its quicker to get ready for that early morning workout.

HOME WORKOUTS

By eliminating the travel component, working out at home can be a more motivating alternative during the Winter months.

Home gyms and online workouts have become the norm during & post COVID-19.

MUSIC

Use music to keep you motivated during your winter workouts. It's a great distraction from the elements!

HYDRATE

You may not feel as thirsty when working out in the cold, but you are still losing fluids through sweating and breathing in cold air. Keep your fluids up!

WARM UP

Warming up before exercise is always important, but even more so during the colder months.

Incorporating a warm up increases blood flow to the muscles and reduces the risk of injury.

By: Chris Rabba, BAppSc(PE)