Winter motivation – Are you struggling to maintain your exercise routine? With the shorter days, lower temperatures and sniffling colds all around, it’s unsurprising that there is a lack of motivation in the air. Therefore, The Trainers’ have written our top tips on how we stay in shape during the winter months.
1. Start Small
It’s very important not to talk yourself out of exercising. Even if you can not commit to your usual fitness routine, starting small is the way forward. From seasonal social events to winters snowy rain, to simply just not feeling up to it, there are plenty of reasons to avoid exercise altogether. But it is important to move as much as you have time for. If you can get a couple of workouts in a week, that is better than nothing at all.
Also, skip the gym altogether, or avoid those outdoor runs, use the winter as an opportunity to explore home workouts instead. Here at The Trainers, we love indoor workouts, especially during the colder months. Get the family involved, try a burpee, or squat challenge – anything that’ll get the whole family moving.
2. Focus On The Benefits
Getting out of bed in the morning when it’s barely above freezing outside is difficult! Ensure that your thermostat is set to warm up your bedroom just as you are waking up, also when the alarm goes off, play songs that motivate you for encouragement. As you’re putting on your workout gear it’s important to remember the benefits and why you are exercising. Maybe it’s for a particular sport or event, or to simply to improve your self-esteem, or to just keep up with your kids. Whatever your motivator is, keep it at the front of your mind.
There are plenty of benefits, from fresh air to the added boost of vitamin D from exercising outdoors. To beat those winter blues with a rush of endorphins. And of course, the physical benefits speak for themselves. While it may be freezing now, summer is only 5 months away. Maintaining regular exercise throughout the winter will take away that added pressure come spring.
3. Have A Backup Plan
If your usual routine is disrupted due to the cold weather, rain or snow, having a backup plan will ensure your workout takes place. Even if you’re avoiding the bad weather, or do not want to make your way to the gym, having a body weight workout routine that you can do from the comfort of your home, ensures you are still accountable to your goals. Mixing exercises such as burpees, sit-up, push-ups, lunges, squats, chair tricep dips and crunches etc are all simple movements that you can do without any equipment. Consistency is key for results, check out our home workout HERE.
4. Find A Workout Partner
If you are finding it hard to commit to a regular workout routine, enlist the help of a friend who can motivate you. You’ll then be held accountable as you will not want to disappoint yourself or your friend. In the case of bad weather or a busy schedule, someone else will help you to get off the couch and to fit those all-important workouts in.
It is also a great opportunity to get some of your friends together and instead of catching up over a glass of wine, replace that with exercise. You’ll then be able to help one another to stay motivated and on track with your health and fitness goals.
5. Enlist The Help From A Personal Trainer
Having a paid motivator is the best form of encouragement. You’ll also achieve your goals in the safest and most efficient way possible. So, if you are looking to get abs, or to lose weight, a trainer can get you there. It’s also not uncommon to get bored of the same exercise regime you’ve been doing for a while. Hiring a PT will help you to mix up those sessions, from the intensity to learning new exercises/movements, this can also help with motivation too.
P.S If you are interested in finding out about personal training from The Trainers you can contact hello@the-trainers.co.uk. In addition, why not take a look at some of the stories from clients who have already worked with us here.
