During the cold months, there’s always the temptation to sleep in a bit longer on a rainy morning or rush home from work on a gloomy evening. The truth is that it’s hard to stay motivated to exercise during winter but there are ways around it.
It’s crucial to keep to your exercise routine during the cold winter months.
If you’re struggling to find motivation during winter, here are a few tips for staying consistent:
- Bring your workout indoors (the treadmill or spinner) or use your living room as a space to do body weight exercises.
- If you’re not a member at a gym, then maybe it’s a good time to join as there are programmes and classes that may keep you motivated. If you find that gym is too expensive, consider an off-peak membership.
- Find a gym buddy to help you stick to your routine and keep each other motivated.
- If your day is short and you struggle to find the time, opt for a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout. It’s an intense cardio session that only requires 20-30 minutes of your day.
- Try something new. Many gyms or studios offer free trial classes. You could possibly find something you love and become hooked.
- Try working out during a lunch break as it will be lighter and warmer at that hour.
If you’re wondering why it’s important to work out during winter, here are six reasons to continue exercising:
- If you’re going to be outdoors on a pleasant day in winter, then you’ll most likely be exposed to some sun for a short period, which is great as this will give you the dose of vitamin D you need to build strong bones.
- Exercising during winter is a great way of warming the body up naturally by increasing blood flow to the limbs.
- Exercise strengthens the immune system and could help prevent colds or flu.
It releases endorphins which helps with mood and concentration and can especially get rid of the winter gloom.
- It helps you avoid winter weight gain, as we tend to hibernate and eat more during colder months.
- Continuing your exercise routine will help keep your body in shape for the summer. Like they say, ‘Summer bodies are made in winter!’
More about the author
Meghan Kleinveldt is a Physiotherapist with almost six years experience. She grew up in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town and finished school at Wynberg Girls High School.
She graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2012 with a BSc Hons in Physiotherapy and then went on to do her community service in 2013 in Queenstown, EC. In 2014 she started working as a Junior Physiotherapist for a practice at Constantiaberg MediClinic where she stayed for almost four years. In 2018 Meghan opened her own practice, MK Physiotherapy, in Meadowridge.
She is passionate about health, wellness and fitness. Meghan is recently married, and, together with her husband, enjoys the outdoors, running and gym. In 2018 she decided to enter Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa with a goal to become more confident and help other women realise the potential they have to achieve their goals and dreams.
