I admit it. It’s hard to stay motivated to exercise in winter, when it’s so cold out and it’s dark by the time you get home from work. But you can’t stop working out just because the weather’s turned! There are lots of ways to stay inspired, and I’d love to share a few of my favorites with you. Here are 8 ways to stay motivated to exercise in winter.
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1. Picture It
Do you remember how fit and toned you looked last summer? One of the best ways to stay motivated to exercise in winter is to keep a photo handy of yourself from a time when you were your most fit… some people go the other way, and keep a photo of themselves when they were overweight, so think about which photo might inspire you more, and keep it handy to keep you motivated!
2. Plan a Beach Vacation
If you plan to stay home during your mid-winter break, you may want to rethink those plans, for obvious reasons (sun vs. snow!). It’s important to note that if you have a beach vacation planned, you’ll be more likely to stay in shape all winter long. Can you think of a better way to stay motivated to exercise in winter than the horrifying thought of having to go on vacation in a bikini that shows off too much muffin top?
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3. Post Updates
This has worked wonderfully for me… I’ve found that one of the best ways to stay motivated to exercise in winter is to post updates about my work outs. By posting updates, I’ve discovered which of my friends are also workout fanatics, and they keep me motivated. If I miss a day, or worse, TWO days, they’re right there, asking where I am, what I’ve been doing, I’m working out, right?
4. Tally the Calories
Do you have any idea how many calories are in all of your favorite holiday foods? If not, find out, because knowing how many calories you’re consuming during the holidays is another great way to stay motivated to exercise in winter. I’m serious! Try it.
5. Count down to Bikini Season
How many days or weeks is it before the start of bikini season? Tally up the number and keep track of it, and as the number shrinks, you’ll find yourself more motivated to watch what you eat, and work out more.
6. Change It up
If your workout is boring, you won’t stay motivated to exercise in winter, or anytime, ever. It’s time to change up your workout routine then, maybe by taking a new yoga or Zumba or spin class. Or, you could buy a few sessions with a new personal trainer to shake up your entire routine.
7. Try Something New
Trying something new goes hand in hand with changing up your workout regimen. You can think big (new gym or new trainer) or medium (new class or new piece of equipment) or small (new workout gear or a new playlist). Either way, adding something new might be another way to stay motivated to exercise in winter.
8. Find a Friend
This is my favorite way to stay motivated to exercise in winter — find a workout buddy! Find a friend who wants to stay fit, too, and encourage her to work out, even when she doesn’t want to. She’ll keep you inspired, too! It’s a win-win.
It may be cold outside, and it might be dark earlier than you’d like, but that’s no reason to skip your workout, is it? With all of these ways to stay motivated to exercise in winter, you’ll be bikini ready while everyone else is stressing in six weeks about their muffin top. Which of these ideas do you think will keep you inspired? Or do you have another motivation tip to share?
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