How to stay fit during Winter
Strategies for beating the winter blues and staying fit
As the days are getting darker and the weather gets colder, the bed gets warmer and all you want to do is curl up on the couch or indulge in those hearty pub roasts. It’s hard to stay motivated to exercise during the winter months, but it’s worth. The NHS says exercise during the winter months can strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of getting coughs and cold. Plus it’ll help you fight those winter blues. Check out these strategies to keep exercising in winter.
Plan ahead
Just like you are planning your week like noting down that dentist appointment, note down your workout. When you plan ahead, you automatically make time for your workout instead of squeezing it into your week. This will eliminate any stress to make time and will get you mentally ready to exercise.
Find a fitness buddy or buddies
We all like to be social, so why not connect that with exercising. A fitness buddy will make the gym routine more enjoyable and hold you accountable for showing up. It’s easy to skip the gym when you’re by yourself but it’s harder to cancel on a friend when you have already made plans. A fitness buddy is a great way to keep up that motivation and commitment of showing up. Studies have shown that social support helps people to stay active, according to James F. Sallis, PhD a professor of psychology at San Diego State University who studies exercise motivation.
Get outside
If you’re not a gym person, get outside. Discover London. London has lots of green spaces where you can run, jog, walk, hike or bike. Make sure to bundle up to stay warm. Get out there and enjoy the fresh air, hike a new trail or bike a new trail. There are so many ways to exercise outdoors in London. Check out the city of London website for listings.
At home backup plan
At home backup plan it’s freezing cold, raining and you just can’t be bothered to leave the house, do not fret, just roll out the yoga mat. There are so many great workout videos online, whether
you’re looking for yoga or pilates or just some simple stretches. Do not let the weather demotivate you or prevent you from getting a few minutes of exercise. Twenty minutes of Yoga or simple stretches work wonders and you won’t feel guilty about not going to the gym.
Focus on the positives
What always motivates me to continue exercising during winter is the overall feeling after. Exercise makes you happy. It releases serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins, dopamine — chemicals that relieve pain, make you happy and relieve stress. Cedric Bryant, chief science office of the American Council of Exercise says, “For years we focused almost exclusively on the physical benefits of exercise and really have ignored the psychological and emotional benefits of being regularly active.” So if you can’t drag yourself off that cosy sofa, think about the positives. That will get you moving.
