We all know that winter can be a challenging time for our fitness regimes. The dark nights and cold days can make exercising outdoors difficult, and all that comfort food inevitably takes its toll on our waistlines. For those who are starting a fitness program in the winter, there is the extra challenge of staying motivated on the dark mornings, when exercising before work can be the last thing on our minds.
Winter needn’t be a write off for your health, though, as with a few simple adjustments you can make sure you stay active throughout the colder months. Keeping up your motivation and staying on top of your routine is key, so make sure you start off with a positive attitude, and the rest will easily fall into place.
Eat for Fitness
It’s much easier to eat healthily in the summer months, when the heat means that we crave more fresh fruits and vegetables, and don’t really fancy a melted bar of chocolate. In winter, when our bodies crave more calories and fat to keep us warm, it is much more difficult to resist those chocolate bars, as well as huge portions of comfort food.
Of course, the secret to a healthy diet is balance, so don’t deprive yourself or cut out foods altogether. Instead, just keep an eye on how often you’re eating high fat and high sugar foods. This awareness should help you to maintain a healthy weight and encourage you to go for something high in protein but low in fat. Good winter options are a warming bowl of soup, a vegetable curry or a healthy stir fry, all of which will boost your potions of veg.
Create the Right Environment
Now that you’ve got your diet sorted, it’s time to find the perfect place in which to exercise. If you like to go to the gym and have one nearby, that might be the best option for you. If you like to play team sports, you might want to check out a local leisure centre and see what the indoor options are. Of course, it definitely helps if you live or work nearby.
Many of us prefer to exercise at home during the winter months, as it doesn’t require venturing out into the cold outdoors. If you need to open up your space, you could invest in some internal bifold doors, which will maintain the separate rooms when needed, but also open up to create a larger space for moving around in. It helps if you don’t need to move furniture around in order to have enough space, as this will affect your motivation and make you more likely to continue with your program.
Try Something New
A great way to stay motivated is to try a new form of exercise every month, as it will prevent you from getting bored and keep your mind active as well as your body. If you’re a member of a gym, try a different exercise class to boost your motivation and challenge yourself, or if you exercise at home try looking for something different on YouTube. Some good options for indoor fitness classes are aerobics, dance, pilates, yoga and weights.
Have a Little Fun
Perhaps the most important part of your fitness regime is having fun. This is one of the only ways that you can be sure to stick with the program and not get frustrated or bored with it. By taking things less seriously, you open up your mind to new options and are actually more likely to put more energy into your workout, which will benefit your body as well as your mind. Remember that you’re not training for the Olympics, so you’re allowed to relax and enjoy yourself.
Get Your Om On
Yoga has become a highly popular form of exercise in recent years, and with stress levels on the rise it’s hardly surprising. Yoga is actually focused more on mental health than it is on physical fitness, although every yoga class involves some sort of movement sequence. It isn’t just for super flexible or thin people; anyone can do yoga, regardless of their age or size, and it’s the perfect thing to take up at home in winter.
All you need to get started is a yoga mat and some comfortable clothes, then have a look online for some videos that suit your experience level. There are many different types of yoga, some of which focus more on strength and working out, while others focus more on meditation and stretching. So don’t give up if you don’t warm to it at first, as it is one of the easiest ways to maintain or increase your fitness during the winter.
*Collaborative*
Anosa says
You and me both but I am making a change this winter
Anosa says
Way to easy than going out to work out
Lubka Henry says
Very good post. It’s always really nice to read some good motivations 🙂
Anosa says
Glad to hear it
Nayna Kanabar says
These are really useful tips and great way to get motivated.
Anosa says
Thanks Nayna
Rachel Nicole says
There’s some great tips here, I’m really starting to get in to exercise. Best to start early to get into shape for next summer! xo
Anosa says
My sentiments exactly, I am working out to create space for Christmas lol
Sam Bresnahan says
I just started doing yoga to help with my spine and joints which get worse in winter. I also love trying new things, especially food!
Anosa says
It’s always nice to try new things
kerry norris says
Funnily enough I’ve recently started attending yoga classes but I should defo get a mat for the house. Trying new things is definetly a good idea x
Anosa says
I have a mat at home which I take to yoga classes with me
Ali says
Great tips, my motivation for exercise really drops in the winter and I start eating badly too. I must not do it this year!
Anosa says
I know the feeling big time
Kara says
I have broken out my wii fit out of retirement……need to do something
Anosa says
Hahaha well done you love lol
Melanie Edjourian says
Great tips, I need to keep an eye on what I am eating over the winter.
Anosa says
Same for me
fashion-mommy says
I used to do yoga and it is definitely something I’m drawn to go back to.
Anosa says
It’s an easy but effective exercise I think
Stella Kashmoney says
Fab post. I need to try yoga. Sounds like what I need.
Anosa says
You should its awesome
Alina Ghost says
I also find I drink more water during the summer so it’s easier to be healthy. I always like to try new things and definitely love yoga, probably need a new mat though so will take a look 🙂
Anosa says
I am not good with drinking water but yoga I do atleast twice a week
Anna Maria says
I was actually thinking of yoga the other day, great tips. Roll on winter we are ready!!! x
Anosa says
I love yoga and try to do it as often as I can. I am so not ready for winter lol
Clairejustineo says
Great post lovely. I have just started running again and the darker nights are here. I really hope I can stay motivated 🙂
Anosa says
I wish you all the luck hun as it can be quite challenging with the darker nights
Baby Isabella says
My mummy hibernates during winter! But great tips to watch what we eat…everything in moderation x
Anosa says
She sounds just like me lol
Hannah Heartss ❄️⛄️ says
I definitely need to work out more in the next few months but I am a it lazy!
Anosa says
Hahaha I know the feeling, working on it when I can
Kathryn says
I get so lazy in winter so I have really enjoyed these ideas xx
Anosa says
Glad to hear it
Life Unexpected says
I love ‘get your yom on’. i love yoga. It’s always kept me active in winter! It’s perfect for the darker, colder days. x
Anosa says
That is so true, same here
Jodie Whitham says
Great ideas! I need to get more active. Used to go to yoga classes, but since moving I’ve not found any decent ones. I might need to go back to 30 day shred as I could see and feel a difference in a few days
Anosa says
I want to try 30 day shred and see what I can achieve
Milly says
I always look for exercise I can do indoors at home when it’s cold outside – I’ve found exercise vids like Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred work well for me!
Anosa says
Yea thats always the best way when we can’t be motivated to go outside
Helen Costello says
Great idea to try something new to keep motivation going. These dark morning are so difficult aren’t they?
Anosa says
They sure are but we need to keep moving
Amanda-Jaied Wathern says
I think I’m different to most people in that I actually crave workouts more in the colder months because it keeps me warm! This is a great list and a great attitude to have when so many others give up fr Winter! x
Anosa says
How awesome is that, I want some of that motivation
Lyndsay says
I really want to keep fit this winter. Got my fitbit back on and a new challenger to keep me motivated
Anosa says
Good luck hun and hope you keep your motivation
Francesca Nelson says
I must admit winter is one of those times I hate working out and staying healthy haha winter just makes me want to stock up on food and hibernate!
Anosa says
Hibernation being the key component for me too
Teresa Bowen says
Walking is my exercise of choice and I’m happy to walk when it’s cold but it’s hard to get motivated on wet, windy days
Anosa says
The only walking I do is to and from work lol, not a big fun but happy to do yoga
Liz Mays says
I really need to remember to stay active! My daughter does a lot of yoga so I’m hoping she can help me.
Anosa says
I think when you have someone to workout with and you motivate each other it can be a lot easier
Rhian Westbury says
Great tips, I definitely agree with trying new things, I like to keep active but it can be tough in the colder months x
Anosa says
It sure can be tougher this time of year
Sarah Bear =] says
This is a fantastic post. It’s so hard getting up in the mornings, when it’s getting darker, let alone being active! Thanks for the tips!
Anosa says
Tell me about it, its been 2 weeks since I returned and seeing these darker mornings is really putting me off
Ana De Jesus says
I agree Yoga is perfect in winter especially since you don’t need to go outside to get your ‘om’ on.
Anosa says
Yoga is perfect at home and at the gym, I prefer the gym more as I am focused unlike at home
Fi Ni Neachtain says
I’d love to try something new and do yoga. It’s something I’ve wanted to try for quite a while now.
Anosa says
I love Yoga and can’t get enough of it (well when I actually do go lol)
Beautyqueenuk says
I love that there is so much online these day which, on the other hand, really gives anyone an excuse not to do anything!
Anosa says
Hahaha exactly why I prefer to go to a yoga class than try to look for something online as I will be ‘looking’ for ever lol
themoneyshed says
Great post this! Eating for fitness is a fantastic bit of advice. It’s all to easy to just live off comfort food for 6 months during the winter!!
Anosa says
Tell me about it, I want to change my habits
Sarah Bailey says
It can be so hard trying to keep active in the colder months, I know all I want to do is curl up under a blanket and stay warm. x
Anosa says
Yep it can, I know the feeling only too well
LaaLaa says
Good post, I like. I’ve decided to start a clean eating overhaul – no winter comfort food but I’m certainly setting my mood in my environment candles galore 🙂 x
Anosa says
That’s a good way to start, I might just join you.