If you are dreading the cold and sticking to your workout routine is the last thing on your mind, you are not alone!
It is common to loosen up on exercising or stop exercising altogether when winter hits the calendar. However, exercising truly needs to be a part of your everyday life to stay healthy.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make sure that you will stick to your daily workout routine no matter the weather outside! Read on to find out!
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Exercise or Not to Exercise
What I love the most about summers is how easy it is to exercise. We all know the benefits of exercising, and the long warm days help us to maximize them. Going for a run, or hitting the gym seems so much more manageable.
So, what to do when the days get shorter, and the temperature drops?
You still need to keep up with your daily workout routine. It is even more important that you do because during winter you most likely consume more comfort food, and you move less often. And this is a perfect combination not only for weight gain but also for your mood to plummet.
Daily exercising needs to be a priority regardless of the season.
Let’s have a look at ways to increase your energy levels so you can still deliver that needed body movement. And when we are at it, make sure you get my FREE guide 5 mistakes you make that cost you energy in the morning! Identify the mistakes and bounce out of bed feeling energetic tomorrow morning no matter the weather! Get it HERE.
1. Adjust Your Schedule
Nature is slowing down, some types of animals are going to sleep for winter and trees are losing leaves. It is time for you to adjust your schedule accordingly.
I find that the biggest obstacle for me to stick to my workout routine during winter is the daylight. I exercise first thing in the morning, and unfortunately but during winter this means darkness.
There is of course no fun in exercising when it’s dark, especially if you struggle with getting up without any natural light. That is why you need to adjust your workout routine to the wintertime.
For me, it means that I need to shuffle my morning activities and do journaling, prioritizing, or such first thing. And then go and exercise.
Some days it also means that you may exercise at a different than usual time of the day. You may work on that important project in the morning and use your lunch to do some stretching. And the duration of exercising may differ too.
Exercising even for ten minutes is better than not exercising at all.
During colder months you can challenge your all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to working out. You may do mini workouts, like for 10minutes a few times a day to get to the daily recommended exercise time.
2. Change Your Workout Routine
Do you have your favourite fitness routine that you follow? Or a sequence of exercises for your cardio workout?
Whether you realise it or not, you are part of nature. This means that your body will be conserving more energy during winter to keep you warm, than in summer. As a result, there will be less energy to spend on exercising.
Winter may be the best time to change to a different workout routine.
You may try a new activity that you haven’t tried before. Perhaps something that is more nurturing like Tai Chi or yoga. Or change a part of your workout routine to add different elements.
Sometimes all you need to stick to your daily workout routine is to try something new.
3. Make It Part of Something Bigger
My favorite way of exercising is walking and yoga. I do a combination of them both, but the colder months present some challenges.
That is why you need to make your daily workout routine a part of a bigger event. You can go for a Pilates or yoga class, and then go for a float or sauna. Or you can meet up with a friend for lunch and go for a walk at the same time.
Sticking to your workout routine doesn’t have to be a chore if you combine it with an activity that you enjoy doing.
We often look at exercise as something we have to do. This type of thinking can wake up the rebel inside us. That is why pairing your daily workout routine with something you like doing is a good option.
Having fun when you exercise will make it so much more enjoyable no matter how cold it is outside.
4. Find a Friend to Exercise With
Winter may also be a perfect time to come out of your comfort zone and join a like-minded community or re-connect with a friend.
Humans are social creatures, and we perform best while being part of a tribe.
If you never tried a Zumba group class or trained at a gym, why not take the leap and sign up? Colder months mean that our social life slows down and finding a friend to work out with may be just what you need to revive your social life.
How to Stick To Your Workout Routine
No matter the season, exercising needs to be part of your everyday routine. But sticking to your daily workout routine during winter can present some challenges.
You are a part of nature, whether you realise it or not, and nature slows down for winter. This means that you need to adjust your schedule to wintertime and fit your daily workout routine the way it suits you.
Colder months may also be a great time to try something new or change your existing routine. You may even want to opt-in for some more nurturing activities. And don’t forget to grab a friend or become a member of a like-minded community.
So, what are you going to do today to stick to your daily workout routine?
Are you part of my community? Join my newsletter to get the latest action steps on how to eat a healthy plant-based diet, de-stress, manage your time better, prioritize yourself, and anything in between so that you INCREASE your energy, SAVE time and INVEST well in your wellness!