Delight in the winter wakeup

You know the scenario,  the alarm goes off, its 5.30am and it’s dark, cold and your doona is calling your name to stay in it’s toasty cocoon. The demons in your head are making it hard to stick to your plans of a early morning workout and before you know it another morning goes by without sticking to your plans.

Let the truth be known, if you want to look good in your bikini next summer, the next few months is the time to put in the hard yards. As daunting as it can be, fitness doesn’t happen by just sitting around, you have to take an active role in keeping fit with consistency. Try to exercise in the mornings and use it as a mood booster because more than likely, after work in the dark is not going to happen.

Have a goal, this is the best way to stick to your program. Whether it is for a fun run, social event, upcoming birthday or body measurements, it will help keep you motivated and get you out of bed. While everyone is going into hibernation with the shorter daylight hours, be strong and don’t let yourself fall into the winter fat trap.

One of the best ways without a doubt is to join a health club. It is out of the cold weather and it makes you stick to their class timetable and you are surrounded by other motivated people. Take classes such as spinning, aerobics or pump, or create your own session on the free weights and treadmills.

It can be very invigorating to go running/power walking or cycling in the crisp morning air. The drop in temperature makes it a lot more viable to enjoy longer outdoor sessions without overheating.

90% of public pools are heated these days so there is no excuse for forgoing this form of fitness. It is easy on the joints, refreshing and it’s a good way of reminding us of our goals when we have to slip on the costume!!

Yoga and Pilates and performed indoors and are great body temperature risers. Sometimes the thought of doing anything with too much exertion is enough to put of doing anything at all, which is why these are great in winter.

In regards to food, this is probably the biggest reason why we put on the weight. The cold naturally increases our appetite and its easy to fall into the trap of filling up on warming foods such as potato mash and sticky date pudding. Don’t forget the salads and stir-fries and make batches of soups that you can freeze and defrost for a quick midweek meal. Warm up on herbal teas and don’t forget to keep the fruit and regular vitamin intake up for fight off the winter flu’s.
With a little advance planning and a healthy dose of self discipline, this could be the year that you come through the autumn/winter season more fit and trim.

Do you have any secrets to share, with what works for you during the cooler months in regards to fitness and exercise?
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