When the winter weather sets in, it can be hard to find the motivation to do anything, let alone workout. The thought of bundling up and braving the bitter cold is enough to make anyone want to forego their gym plans and stay indoors. If you find yourself having a hard time staying active during the winter, here are a few tips to pull yourself out of that slump and get back into a healthy routine!
Get Dressed
This may sound like a no-brainer, but changing out of your pajamas and putting on real clothes can actually help inspire you to workout! When you’re lounging around the house in sweatpants and a hoodie, it can be tough to find the motivation to do anything but, which is why it’s important to get dressed as soon as get out of bed.
Purchasing a few new pieces of workout clothing can also help motivate you to workout, and you’ll be excited to get to the gym sporting your new gear!
Make Use of Daylight Hours
One of the biggest downsides of working out during the winter is that it gets dark earlier, lessening the amount of time you have to work out. For people who work full-time, getting outside while the sun is still out can be almost impossible, especially those with traditional 9-5 schedules.
Rather than skipping out on going outside altogether, use your lunch break and any other downtime you might get at work to go for a brisk walk outside. Even if you only have fifteen minutes, it’s better than nothing.
If you missed daylight hours but still want to workout outside, make sure to take the proper safety precautions and wear reflective clothing.
Get Creative With Your Workouts
The winter season is the perfect time to get creative with where and how you workout. If you enjoy swimming during the summer months, find out if your local gym has a pool you could use. If you have small children and want to keep the whole family active, sign them up for swimming classes or some other form of indoor activity.
If you prefer working out at home, there are tons of exercise routines you can do from the comfort of your living room, like yoga, Zumba, and even something more intense, like P90X. Other activities like ice skating, snowboarding and skiing can also be great ways to break a sweat and have fun doing it!
Team Up With A Friend
Working out with a friend is a great way to make sure you’re staying active, and you will have someone to hold you accountable on those days when you just can’t seem to find the motivation to exercise. If your local gym offers group fitness classes, ask a pal to tag along with you.
Even something as simple as going on a long walk is a great way to get in some physical activity and spend quality time with a friend, so consider pairing up for your next workout!