Winter often crushes people’s fitness routines. Cold temperatures lull people in to the habits of hibernating and overeating. Unfortunately, that’s a recipe for packing on pounds and getting to the new year feeling awful. Nobody wants that. So instead, plan to pursue winter with a plan to stay fit while celebrating mindfully.
Join A Gym
If you usually work out outdoors and the cold air is keeping you from getting your sweat on, consider looking for gym deals and joining one for the winter months. You can still work out outdoors, but you might find yourself making excuses if it’s snowing, cold, raining – you get the picture. With a gym membership, you avoid having any valid excuses for slacking. Look for one that doesn’t tie you in with a contract.
Invest In Winter Workout Clothes
If you still want to make the most of your outdoor workouts, invest in some winter workout clothes. Thermal tops and compression pants, socks, and shoes with a good grip to stop you from sliding all over the place. You’ll likely get warmer as you work out if you’re doing it properly, but proper attire is the right start! Treat yourself to some wintery gear and you’ll feel more inclined to keep up your routine.
Make Your Workouts Shorter, But More Intense
If you don’t want to spend an hour or more outside in the snow, make your workouts shorter but more intense. You could try a HIIT workout for instance, which is brilliant at blasting fat, and you can get it done in anywhere from 15-30 minutes. The idea is that you take shorter rests and workout harder while you’re active. You can also try plyometric circuit exercises. This explosive style of exercise is great for torching calories and building muscle. HIIT is a great muscle maker. By just taking a look at sprinters compared to long distance athletes, you can see the difference. You should consider introducing them to your regular routine any time of year!
Try Some Winter Sports
Why not take advantage of the colder months? You could go ice skating, snow boarding, or do something else that catches your eye. You never know, by the end of winter you might have a whole new hobby and skill to show off!
You could still do some of the workouts you’re used to, such as running and biking. However, you’ll need to be careful to avoid accidents. The weather can make it easy to misjudge things, and some conditions can cause accidents no matter how careful you are. Something like a bike accident could ruin your entire spring and summer. Be smart!
Prioritize Produce
Our favorite summer fruits are missing or expensive, but you can still make fun winter dishes with plenty of vegetables, such as stews and soups. These dishes are comforting and still full of good stuff if you make them from scratch. Stick to the Exact Formula for Weight Loss no matter what and try new options like spaghetti squash.
Go on a Mission
Having something specific to strive for will always ramp up your potential for success. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, run a race, enter a fitness competition or get rid of pain … an exciting goal will help you get past the goal and maintain your focus. Every day counts. Not only to look good, but to live longer, feel great, and stay healthy. Never lose site of your short term and long term goals.
Don’t Dress Dumpy
It’s really easy to throw on sweats during the colder months and ignore what’s underneath. However, wearing your usual clothes fairly regularly, such as your jeans, will give you a good idea of whether you’re indulging a little too much. Don’t let yourself get into bad habits.