Winter. While I love the fall, I’m not a fan of winter. It’s cold, moody, and I constantly feel tired. As an active person, I’ve been trying to figure out how to stay active and motivated during these upcoming winter months. While I definitely don’t believe in training for a “summer body”, I do want to stay active and healthy during the winter because it will definitely help me stay in my best mental state during these cold, mood-killing months.
While I have a wedding in May I’m attending, so I’ve got to fit into a dress, so I’ve got no choice but to stay motivated and hit the gym. In this reconciliation of the fact that I don’t get to entirely sit and veg out during the winter like normal, I’ve had to think of a couple ways to stay motivated during a winter slump. I’ve come up with 3 great ways to stay motivated during the winter!
1. Find a Workout Partner
Finding a partner isn’t easy, but this one is essential. My best friend (coincidentally the bride) and I have a pact that we will keep each other accountable! In addition, I have someone else who is going to be my running buddy as we are hopefully running a half marathon together in March together. Partners don’t have to be with you 24/7, but they are people who will push you to run faster, train harder, and keep your head right when you feel like quitting.
I’ve always been more of a team player than a solo act, so I’ve always found that working with a pair has helped me do better. A part of this is just my general competitive nature, but other than that, finding a workout partner or joining a team keeps me on my feet. Wearing an Apple Watch with a partner is also fun because you can create competitions between people you share your Activity with. Working with a friend or gym buddy is a great addition because they also can help make sure you don’t get injured. With strength training, form is imperative. Gym partners can make sure that your form stays correct because an injury that seems small can keep you out of the gym for the entire season.
2. Try a New Class
One of the biggest reasons that people get into a rut when it comes to working out in the winter is because there’s nothing new in your routine. I know that I am guilty of this because I pick one or two classes and a time to go to the gym and that’s it. This winter, I’m determined to try 5 new classes, whether it’s Pilates, Barre, or kickboxing at a new studio.
I have to get out of my comfort zone and try something new and keep it fresh just to make sure that I never get into that same rut that I am used to. I’m determined to go running across Atlanta in new places, getting my blood moving and trying my best to exercise. Exercise is one of the best ways to avoid SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), so getting outside and getting a bit of sun can really make the difference.
3. Embrace the Winter Slump
Okay, this one isn’t really a way to stay motivated. EMBRACE IT! One of the biggest ways I’ve found a little motivation isn’t by pushing myself past my limits. It’s by listening to my body. In the winter, my body wants to recover from the months of running around and enjoying the sunshine! I need time to remind myself that it’s okay to take a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Embracing the winter slump isn’t about sitting on the couch or doing nothing all summer. It is about working at my own pace instead of pushing myself too far.
Taking a bit of a break during the winter months is more about finding what works for me, rather than going too far. Even if I’m just dancing in my living room in my socks and shoes for half an hour recreating some Broadway songs, that’s a lot better than sitting on my butt and watching TV all day. Embrace the winter for all that it brings and instead of fighting through, alter your workouts and make them work for you! Hibernating under your covers won’t improve your mood drastically, so get up and get your blood pumping!
I hope that this post can help you stay motivated during the winter months. This will definitely not be an easy journey or few months, but I’m excited to share this with you all as it happens. If you have any additional ways that you can think of to stay motivated, do be sure to let me know down in the comments below!
