It’s FRIDAY! Time for another Friday Five!
I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Check out their blogs for other Friday Five Goodness.
I know a lot of people who are fair weather fitnessers (is that a word?). And that’s ok. Not everyone has the motivation or even feels the NEED to keep going in the winter. But what if you do feel the need? How do you keep from feeling blah and unmotivated? Here’s 5 things I do to keep me going:
- Remember that this is the only body and life I have and it’s not going to stay at this particular level of fitness (or improve) if I stop. OK, that’s already a bit deep to start off with, but it’s true. I mean just because it’s cold outside do we stop doing everything else? We still go to work right? And we still have social stuff going on? Anyone here completely hibernate for 3 months? No. So yes, it’s cold. It could be snowing, it could be raining, but that’s no reason to NOT take care of myself. Still hate snow and don’t want to run in it, but hey.
- Find something ELSE to do. Don’t want to run in the snow? How about a spin class? How about a cardio blast class? Maybe some yoga to clear and freshen your mind? You can even stay at home and do burpees, planks and pushups. Just sayin’. You don’t even need equipment. You can do stuff with your own body weight.
- Take an active break by going skiing of skating. I am always frozen to the core afterwards but I definitely have a blast skating. Check out any indoor rinks near you. Reward afterwards: Hot chocolate with whip cream for the non lactose intolerant.
- Sign up for a race in the spring and then find an appropriate training plan. Guess what? My training plan for my half-marathon in March starts next week. That’s right. Even though we just had one of the worst wind and rain storms in the last 50 years, you can bet I’ll be out hitting the pavement, gritting my teeth and cursing the weather gods perhaps, but I’ll be out there!
- How about just do the minimum then? Really don’t feel like doing anything? Move anyway! Get in your 10,000 steps each day. If that means you walk around the office or at home or you take stairs instead of elevators or escalators, then that’s the way it gets done!
Exercise is proven to help when you are feeling blah so don’t let the winter get you down! Keep going!
What’s your top tip for staying motivated in the winter? How do you keep going?
I’ve realized it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get to run or workout because it’s not my whole life,,,,haha. I should really try to utilize my Fitbit more to get my steps in on days that I don’t really do anything though.
Thanks for linking up with us!
so true, it’s not the end of the world! but moving a little bit each day definitely helps.
I use the winter months to take in more classes at the gym. I really love the gym but would always prefer to be outside, therefore, I don’t get much gym time in during the rest of the year. And yes to always taking the stairs!!!
I so agree! I would MUCH rather be outside. Now that I’ve found spinning though I can handle the gym a little bit more :) and hopefully I can find a few more classes that I like as well so I can keep cross-training.
I’m still running during the winter! (of course I live in the southern part of the US, so it’s pretty mild here most of the time).
you are lucky! so many people out there having to succumb to the treadmill for the winter. Or just not at all. I have friends in southern europe who are still running in shorts. drives me up a tree. good that you can still get out there!
I sign up for a race i n Florida and that motivates me to get out there and run. It’s not easy when it is cold, icy, snowy…
precisely what I’ve done! I have a race in March so it’s time to start training… even if I don’t like the weather!
I definitely agree it helps to keep active in the winter! I’ll usually keep running outside unless its really cold or icy. I also use my treadmill and indoor bike when I don’t feel like going outside!
Most of the time I really look forward to my runs even if it is freezing cold outside. On the rare days I just don’t want to go out, I will lift or run on the treadmill. Or, take a *gasp* rest day!
All really great tips! Having something to train for always keeps me motivated. Even if I’m not in training yet — I know I need to maintain my base so that I’ll be ready when it’s time to train.
So true! I keep reminding myself how much better I feel if I at least get some activity in during the Winter. And I’m signed up for a Spring race so will have training to keep me motivated starting in February :)