Who struggles to stay motivated to exercise in winter? If you answered yes, you aren’t alone. Let’s explore a few ways we can make exercising in winter more attractive.
Some may argue that Australian winters “aren’t even cold” but for most, we are shivering below 20 degrees, not wanting to leave our warm bed and swearing that the sun set at 4pm. How are we supposed to find motivation to exercise when being in bed is more ideal?
Winter might be the time to try something new. If you normally go for a run or walk in the morning and it’s simply too cold, why not try a hot yoga class or a home YouTube video instead? Keep your exercise routine but change your environment.
If the mornings are too hard, maybe exercising at lunch or attending an afternoon class is more realistic. Although you may naturally be a morning person, it may not be the case all the time and that’s okay. Don’t put yourself down for needing a change, change is good.
If you’re struggling with motivation, chances are you have a friend who is too! Why not agree to attend a class together or go for a daily walk? Setting a time to meet someone increases the chances of you reaching your health and fitness goals.
Have everything ready to go. For example, keep your exercise clothes in your car or take them with you to work so that you can go straight to the gym. This way you are making exercise easy and attainable so that it’s not an effort to keep up your good work.
Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. It’s all about moving, having fun and getting your heart rate up! Listening to your favourite music or a good podcast can make a huge difference to your exercise motivation. For example, walking and listening to an audiobook can make the time fly.
Treat exercise like a doctor’s appointment. Prioritise it and make sure it happens. You know you’ll feel better for it. Your 5-minute goal could turn into a 45-minute session once those endorphins kick in!
If you need support and help with adherence and goal setting, our Mates4Mates Exercise Physiologists are here to help. Make it happen! Contact our team today.
Written by Lauren Kelly, Exercise Physiologist
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