Exercise Motivation: Winter Edition
Photo by Julia Larson - from Pexels
Why is Exercise So Hard In the Winter?
The winter months can be a struggle when it comes to exercise for many people. In the warmer months it is easy to be active outdoors - walking, jogging, yard work, sports, etc. Over the winter many people find it difficult due to the colder weather, reduced amount of daylight, and for many, lower energy levels. There are some things you can try to overcome this motivation slump and stay consistent with exercise this winter!
5 Tips to Stay Consistent with Exercise This Winter
Get the gear. If you love to exercise outdoors during the summer, but avoid it in the winter get yourself some cold weather gear. Hats, gloves, a wind-resistant insulated jacket, snow boots (if needed), a head lamp (for outdoor exercise after sunset) and anything else that will help you feel comfortable outside. Ensure these items fit well and are a style you like to make it more likely you will use and wear them, then head outside and do your favorite summer physical activities with a few more layers on!
Consider Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a nutrient our body will create when your skin is exposed to the sun; however, in the winter for most states in the United States people are unable to get adequate sun exposure. Taking a 2000 IU supplement of vitamin D3 daily can help keep levels in the normal range for most people, but it’s best to talk with your doctor about vitamin D to determine what dose is right for you. If you do take a vitamin D supplement take it with a high fat meal or snack (15+ grams of fat) for optimal absorption.
Exercise before you get home. For many people, once you get home in the evening it’s not likely that you will want to leave the house again to exercise. Before you leave the house bring your exercise clothes/gear with you so that you can get it done before you return home. If this won’t work for your schedule, consider switching to home workouts over the winter on those days you just don’t want to leave the house.
Make commitments to exercise with others. This one works any time of year, but may be especially helpful in the winter. Making a commitment to meet someone else to exercise, or registering for a group fitness class can help to motivate you to actually follow through on your exercise plans rather than putting them off until it becomes too late to exercise for the day.
Adjust your expectations. Reducing the amount you exercise in the winter, but still being consistent may be a good solution. If you find that since you can’t exercise as much as you do in the summer, you end up not even trying to exercise at all, you are probably experiencing all or nothing thinking. Instead, focus on what you can do. This may look like shorter workouts than in the warmer months, home workouts, or exercising 3 days per week instead of 5. Maintaining some level of consistency over winter is what’s most important, and you may even find that the more you exercise in the winter, the easier it becomes.
Try using some of these tools and see what works well for you. If you have a difficult time staying motivated, consider a health coaching session with me! Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with me to see if we are a good coaching fit.
This post is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not intended to give medical advice. Please see your personal healthcare provider for a thorough examination and specific recommendations on vitamin supplementation, exercise restrictions, or other health concerns.