How to Motivate Yourself to Workout this Winter

As the winter weather is setting in, it is getting harder and harder to get out of bed! This makes it twice as hard to muster up the motivation to head to the gym. Just know that you are not the only one that may feel this way!

No matter how hard it may be, exercising is essential to maintain a healthy routine! The winter months are actually the perfect time to start working towards your fitness goals, even though the dark mornings and cold weather may say otherwise.

It is possible to keep up your momentum all year round. You just need to have a plan; you need to stay focused and most importantly you have to keep moving! Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated to workout throughout the winter season.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting health and fitness goals can be motivating, but only if they are goals you can actually achieve. Running a marathon is a worthy aim, but so is being able to walk up seven flights of stairs. If you are unsure where to start or what equipment to use, doing a few sessions with a fitness professional can be a helpful tool. Personal trainers possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to design safe and effective fitness programs. He or she will design a personalized program for you that will help you reach your fitness goals efficiently and effectively.

Take It Outside

Winter may not be your favorite season, but instead of resisting the cold, try embracing it. With the right clothing, spending time outdoors can be really enjoyable during the wintertime. Downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing and ice skating are great activities to keep you active throughout the winter months.

Buddy Up

Just as with joining a club, agreeing to exercise with a friend gives you an incentive to do something active. Having a companion can help you stay motivated in many ways. One, working out may be more fun if you are looking forward to seeing a friend whose company you enjoy. Furthermore, you will be less likely to skip out on your workouts when you know you made a commitment to meet up with a workout partner. Who knows, it may even help change your perspective of working out to something a little more enjoyable and sociable.

Invest In Indoor Exercise Equipment

The only thing better than a great workout is a great workout you can do from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’ve got a packed schedule, don’t have the budget for a gym membership, or prefer privacy, there are myriad ways to enjoy an at-home sweat session. Investing in some indoor exercise equipment may be the perfect solution for you. Exercise equipment like hand weights, kettlebells and resistance bands are inexpensive and let you design your own at-home workouts. Standard equipment like treadmills, elliptical machines, and recumbent bikes are good investments because they tend to last for years. Look online for workout videos and programs that are designed to help you get the most out of your home workouts. There is no shortage of engaging workouts that you can

Join a Gym

A gym membership can help you stay motivated to exercise consistently. Even if you’re not a regular, joining a gym for the winter months is a great excuse to get yourself out of the house. You’ll have the opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar fitness goals and you will be surrounded by gym patrons who will help you stay inspired.

Find an Activity You Enjoy

Many people claim to hate exercise, but what they truly mean may be that they despise cardio or jogging. Running doesn’t need a lot of additional equipment or skill development, but that doesn’t mean it has to be everyone’s go-to method of exercise. Simply said, those who detest working out haven’t discovered the form of exercise that suits them best. Check out a few clubs and see what classes they have to offer. Consider what you would enjoy most and give it a try.

Remind Yourself Why It’s Important

Don’t forget to remind yourself why it is you started in the first place! Revisit your fitness goals or take the time to create new ones. Do you want to lose those last five pounds, build muscle, run your first 5k, or just tone up? Whatever your ultimate goal is, committing to what you want to achieve will allow you to track your progress and set smaller goals along the way.

Make Time

Don’t use your busy lifestyle as an excuse to set exercise aside. You matter and so does your health. This is why you need to make it a priority! Stay physically active throughout the day by parking farther away from your destination, meeting a friend at the gym, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or going for a walk with a coworker on your lunch break. Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

Watch Your Mouth

If you’re having a hard time finding the motivation to head to the gym, at least do your best to avoid foods that have little to no nutritional value. This will help prevent additional weight gain and encourage you to make healthier food choices. Do your best to eat meals around the same time every day. Scheduling mealtimes throughout the day will make it easier for you to stay on track while at work, school and in the break room. Remember you can’t out run a bad diet!

In Conclusion:

At the end of the day, fitness is so much more than getting that perfect six-pack and a rock-hard butt. It’s about the quality of your life. If you want to be successful for the longterm, you have to transform more than your body; you have to change your mindset.

Develop a healthy lifestyle that is realistic, achievable and sustainable. Before you know it, you will be on your way to achieving a fit and healthy lifestyle that you can maintain in the winter and for years to come. Good luck to you.

I have been a personal trainer for over eighteen years and I absolutely love what I do. I honestly feel that I have one of the best jobs out there! The most rewarding part of my profession is helping one of my clients succeed at reaching their personal fitness goals. Making a difference in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association.