When it’s chilly outside it can be hard to stay motivated about your fitness. We tend to take on a “snuggle up” mentality meaning we eat more and do less – human hibernation!
However, regularly exercising during the colder months helps to create the body we feel more confident in during the warmer months. It also regulates our intake of fresh air when we don’t look forward to leaving the house and can keep our heavy food cravings at bay.
When it comes to staying fit during winter, it’s important to have a plan and stick to it.
Here are the reasons why its best to stay onto of your exercise during winter and tips to stay motivated when the temperature drops.
1. The sunshine vitamin help keeps you healthy, strong & happy
There’s a reason it’s called the sunshine vitamin! While there are a limited number of foods that can provide your body with vitamin D, the easiest source is from exposure of bare skin to sunlight.
Sunshine makes strong bones and muscles, looks after your skin and keeps your immune system strong. It can also boost positivity and help you feel happier!
2. Get your blood flowing to keep warm
Save electricity by heating your body up naturally with a workout. The rise in your body temperature during a workout, has a soothing, calming effect on your body, not unlike a long soak in a warm bath or lying in front of the fire.
3. Maintain your health during the flu season
Regular exercise strengthens your immune system so it can fight off the flu and other viruses. When you exercise and get your blood pumping, immune cells circulate through your body more quickly helping them seek and destroy infections. But this boost only lasts for a few hours, so exercise needs to be regular for long-term effects.
4. Beat the winter blues
A daily workout releases feel-good, de-stress brain chemicals giving you a break from the daily grind and helps ease depression. We know that after exercise, the brain releases the “feel-good” chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which can help to reduce anxiety and depression while boosting wellbeing. 45 minutes a the day could change your whole outlook on winter!
5. Take a deep breath
Being cooped up with nothing but heaters to keep the air moving means fresh air is much harder to come by in winter. Try going for a walk or run outside to give your lungs a chance to detox and breathe deeply without concern for breathing in other people’s bugs.
6. Avoid heading for comfort food
In the colder months it is so easy to turn to comfort food, because it’s so satisfying and it makes us feel good, well for a little anyway. This is why winter is typically known as the ‘weight gain’ period as the average person puts on up to 4 kg across these months. To stabilise your weight go back to healthy habits with regular exercise and healthy meal substitutes, to combat the excess sugar and calories we may consume.
How to stay motivated
Pick a workout time and stick to It!
One of the most difficult things about working out during winter is getting yourself to Pilates or nearby gym in the first place. It’s cold, it’s dark and sometimes, you just don’t feel like it. The best way to get over this hurdle is to schedule your workouts into your day, just like any other important meeting or engagement.
If you find it difficult to keep up with your workouts during winter, consider finding a workout buddy who can help motivate you and hold you accountable.
Out Pilates classes are small, friendly groups, so not only will you be able to support and encourage each other, but you’ll also be able to have some fun while getting fit!
One of the most common excuses for not working out is not having the right clothes. Using the right types of clothing and equipment, especially when its cold, can make a big difference in your workout quality and how much you enjoy your session.
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