Sticking to a workout routine during winter can be quite the challenge. Cold weather and snowy, shorter days undoubtedly discourage a training routine from staying in place. But there are many reasons why you should push yourself to overcome the lack of motivation. Exercising during winter will improve your mood, especially when there’s less sunlight in the winter. Training outdoor when it’s cold can also give your immune system a boost. The World Health Organization even advises healthy adults to exercise for at least two and a half hours each week during the coldest months of the year.
Still worried about how to kick up your motivation? Here are five simple ways to avoid the winter workout slump that will keep you on track until those warmer months hit.
- Keep an eye on your diet. Oh, winter! That wonderful time of the year when we all love to crawl under the blankets with a delicious treat in our hand…and yet, it’s important to remember that you didn’t work hard for a whole year to let a slice of cake undermine your workout. Overeating can prevent regular training as it will make you sluggish, tired, and discouraged. That’s why keeping your diet under control is a must if you want to avoid the winter workout slump. On the other hand, training regularly and staying active will help be more conscious about what you eat. After all, you don’t want to undo all your hard work because of a box of hot wings and fries.
- Try additional supplements. When the winter months hit, sometimes you need every little bit of help you can get to stay on track. Luckily, there’s a ton of safe and healthy supplements on the market that will profoundly improve the efficacy of your workouts. There’s vitamins and minerals to boost your immunity, powders from mushroom extracts and caca that can give you a kick of energy, or something like testosterone supplements that will have a huge impact on your athletic performance. Before you try anything new, just remember to consult with your physician.
- Get a training buddy. There’s nothing wrong with exercising alone, but it may make it more difficult to stay on track with your workout routine during the winter. A training buddy can help keep you motivated and excited for your next workout. If none of your friends are willing to get out in the cold or head to the gym when the outside temperature hits a low number, then rely on the help of a personal trainer. Training with a buddy will motivate you to stick to a routine, and you’ll probably feel too embarrassed to skip gym even if you want to, which will help you to avoid the winter workout slump.
- Try something new. If your workout routine keeps you outdoors when the weather is bright, then winter might be the right season to try something new. If you’ve dreamed of trying yoga or pilates, then winter is the right season to give them a go. Incorporating something new into your winter workout routine will keep you focused, active, and engaged.
5. Embrace an outdoor activity. You might not be able to put up an outdoor workout routine in the winter, but this doesn’t mean that you have to lock yourself inside your home. Outdoor activities when it’s cold are healthy as long as you don’t stay out for too long. A short run with your dog or even a day sledding with the kids is a great way to burn some calories and stay in shape.