The old “it’s too cold outside” excuse
It’s scientifically proven that cold weather causes a decrease in motivation to exercise. When it’s cosy, warm and comfy at home, it can be hard to tell yourself “get up, go out and get moving”. At Bridge Fitness, we don’t believe in making excuses to stop a solid work out routine, which means the old “it’s too cold outside” trick does not fly with us. Even though Summer is officially done and dusted, we have come up with a few tactics to help you stay motivated and stay fit throughout the cooler months.
1. Wake up with a goal
It might seem like a no-brainer, but goal setting is essential in order to stay motivated. Every night before your next work out day, write your goal on a post-it and stick it to your alarm. This will remind you why you are getting up and out of bed, why working out is important to you, and why you will feel proud of yourself after having done your daily routine. Now, remember, this can be the same goal all season long — something you want to have achieved by the end of winter, for example —, or a different goal every day; as long as you achieve what you set for yourself, that’s all that matters!
2. Restock on your activewear
Okay, let’s be real: brand new activewear is one of life’s sweetest hoys, no matter what anyone says! It makes you feel instantly fitter! There is no better feeling then going for a work out in your freshly bought tights, matching top and a sports bra that actually fits. So, to keep yourself motivated, go to your favourite activewear store (walk there, if possible!) and get yourself a new head-to-toe work out outfit (or two… or three)! You’ll be able to show it off to the rest of the girls, be comfortable while exercising, look amazing and feel confident, all at the same time!
3. Get yourself a workout buddy
This one is actually a crucial one to keep yourself both motivated and in check throughout the colder period of the year. Setting a schedule, routine and goals with a partner makes it not only so much easier because you don’t have to do it alone, it also makes you accountable! Every week, make a new workout timetable, set up a carpool system, and set goals for yourselves (these can be individual or mutual goals). You will keep each other motivated and push each other to achieve your goals, and have someone to attest to the hard work you’ve put into to your winter workout.
4. Create a morning routine
It is so important to have a solid morning routine, especially over the colder half of the year when the sun rises much later and it feels like it’s okay to stay in bed until 10:00am (the fact of the matter is, unless you’re sick or a growing teenage boy, it’s pretty much never okay to stay in bed until 10:00am). Set a morning routine that looks something like this:
Step 1. Set your alarm at a reasonable time and DO NOT SNOOZE!
The Snooze button is your worst enemy. If you feel like you can just “hit it once and get up when the alarm rings in ten minutes”, the odds are that you’ll keep hitting it until you’ve overslept and feel unmotivated to even move from the bed to the couch. Find a time that suits you (try and get about 7-8 hours’ sleep), set your alarm to a song or radio station that you like, and when that alarm rings, just let the music play and spring out of bed. However if you think that not even that will work, you’ll need to put your alarm clock (aka phone) on the other side of your bedroom so u have to physically get out of bed in the morning to turn it off.
Step 2. Have a hot shower
A hot shower will help you wake up and be more alert. Don’t stay in there for too long though, or you will start feeling like going back to bed. Just get in there, get clean, and get out!
Step 3. Get dressed
Have your workout gear ready so that you have to get dressed and there’s no “I can’t find my pants” at 5:30am excuse. You know that new outfit you just bought yourself from your favourite activewear store? Put it on. Don’t get back into your PJ’s after your shower, get yourself ready to kick some goals!
Step 4. Fuel your body
It’s pretty much impossible to be motivated to work out, no matter what the season, when you haven’t added some fuel to the tank. If you have the time pre-training, make yourself a healthy, balanced breakfast and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea to wake your body up and get yourself physically ready for a great workout. If you’re not a breakfast before workout kind of person, we recommend a coffee and a banana to get you going without weighing you down.
5. Think of the reward
You know that feeling of being cosy in bed, watching your favourite Netflix TV show with a cup of tea and a cheeky pack of popcorn? Think of that feeling without having done any exercise for the day… Now think of it as a reward for having completed your workout and achieving your daily goal! Always remember that after effort comes comfort, and it will be all that more rewarding to have deserved to sit cosily in bed after a big day of kicking goals.
Worried you won’t be able to stay motivated throughout the cold season? Bridge Fitness has you covered. Sign up to one of our classes and see how the #BridgeFitGirls, as a team, can get through those winter blues together!
