How to stay motivated during the colder months

Getting up and working out can be a struggle no matter what time of year it is. However, as the colder months creep in, it can feel nearly impossible. As someone who was born in a warmer climate, winter has kicked my ass more than a few times. I am going to share some of my FREE tips for staying on track with your movement practice even when you are feeling more like hibernating.

Stick to the Plan

If you have developed a workout routine, whether it is running, hitting the gym, or taking a class, you have probably benefited from the consistency. That little habit can help keep your spirits high all year long. As the instructor, I am going to be in class whether or not you join me (barring any in-climate weather) so if you have been taking a class, keep taking it. If you were running outdoors, maybe you scout out places that you can safely run outside, or find an indoor spot. The holidays and family may cause you to miss a few days, and that is totally fine. Just try to pick a day where you plan on getting back to it, and follow-through. Sticking to the plan will help keep the rest of your day on track.

Make a friend

Maybe you are used to working out solo, which I do a lot of. But having an accountability partner can be helpful, even if they are not with you in real life. Maybe you call a family member or friend on your way to or from your workout. You can also plan to meet a friend at the gym or a specific class. If you are intense like some of my clients, you can carpool. If your friend sitting in their car outside of your house at 5:20 AM, it is not that easy to bail.

Workout at home

This one is rough because there can be a lot of temptations in your house (the dishes, the laundry, lying in bed not working out) but there are also a ton of options. If you are stuck in the house because of the weather or time constraints or whatever, you can always pull up a free workout online. It may not be the same as going for a run, but there are plenty of home workouts that can benefit you if you are a runner. If you are skipping your yoga class, you can always find an online flow that fits your style.

The Takeaway

These are just a few of my favorite ways to remain consistent with my workouts. They are free, readily available to most of us, and easy enough to implement. All of that being said, if you are just not feeling it, listen to your body and get some rest!