Keeping fit in summer always seems easier, but when the nights get darker and the weather gets colder it’s often hard to stay resolute. So with autumn just round the corner I thought I’d share my thoughts on how to keep up your regime in winter.
- Before you join the gym, amongst other things consider where the gym is. Is it on the way home from work? Near a friend’s house? Close to home? These are all great locations as it means you will past the gym regularly, making it more difficult to pretend it doesn’t exist.
- Remember that variety is the spice of life, and keep a range of exercise in your routine. This way you’re less likely to get bored and give up.
- Try exercising with a friend. If you’re having a catch up with them while you work, then not only is your mind distracted you also burn a few more calories.
- Reward yourself. Lost a few pounds? Ran for an extra 10 minutes? Treat yourself to that new book, CD or dress you’ve had your eye on.
- Try a sports team. Netball or hockey can be a great way to pack in loads of exercise while having fun, and is also an opportunity to meet new people.
- Consider working with a personal trainer as this will mean you really maximize your exercise time with focused activity. In addition a personal trainer can monitor what you’re doing and make adjustments to posture and technique.
- Write down your goals and reasons for exercise then whenever you feel your resolve remind yourself of them.
- Use exercise as a stress reliever. Pounding away on a treadmill or doing a spinning class is a great way to forget the stresses of the day and release those happy endorphins. Using exercise in this way will also mean you associate exercise with feeling good so it won’t feel like such a chore.
- Treat yourself to a sauna or steam after your work out. Not only will it help you relax, it also helps to purify your skin, enhancing your post exercise healthy glow.
- If you do miss a work out don’t beat yourself up over it or give up. We all lapse sometimes but it doesn’t have to mean your fitness regime is over, as long as you get back to it asap all is not lost.