Best Self Help

Top Tips for Beating a Winter Fitness Slump

Winter and exercise can be difficult to mix. In the summer you were so glad to be outdoors but in the winter, not so much. Here are some of the best tips for helping you beat that winter fitness slump.

When the weather gets cold, we want to be like bears and hibernate. Unfortunately, if we sleep for three months there will be a major problem. So, instead of sleeping the winter away, how about we continue to get moving?

It can be hard to motivate yourself to exercise when all you want to do is cozy up, but you can do it. Exercise is just as important to the body in the winter months. In fact, because the body tends to lose heat in the winter, working out reaps that much more of a benefit to you. Your body has to work harder to stay warm, burning up more calories.

Now that you know the benefit of staying active, here are some fitness tips to get you motivated.

* Work out inside – Who says that you have to go outside if you don’t want to? Invest in some fitness DVDs and pop one into the player first thing in the morning. You have been indoors so you are not freezing. The body is warm and ready to go. See our fitness DVD product recommendations or get the latest 24 Hour fitness coupons.

* Prepare – It is hard to get moving when you have to get your gear together. If you know that tomorrow is your exercise day, lay out your clothing and your shoes so you can jump into them easier. Keep your running shoes by the front door or your jacket on the hook where you can easily find it. The less of a struggle it is, the more chance you have of actually completing that workout.

* Work with a buddy – Two heads are better than one. Enlist the aid of a partner to help keep you motivated to fitness in the winter. Having someone with you encourages you to continue with your program and not just hit the couch.

* Bundle up – You are not too keen about the cold air, but if you dress properly, you won’t be fazed by it. Remember that you lose heat primarily out of your extremities (including your head), so keep them covered up. Wear a thinner glove for comfort and grip. Always wear a hat to protect your head and a scarf for your neck. Sporting goods stores may carry winter exercise gear.

* Choose a fun activity – You don’t have to go for a five-mile run if you feel like something to do. Play a game of catch in your backyard with your family. Go ice skating or snowboarding with friends. If you like doing it, then it doesn’t seem like exercise.

Don’t let the winter stop you from staying in shape. Use these tips to keep the momentum going.

Exercise Motivation – How to Stay Movin’

We know that exercise improves health because we’ve read about it. We also know that it helps with longevity and a more youthful appearance. But, yet and still, it is hard to keep the fire burning so that we stick with an exercise program long enough to see these results.

No matter how you put it, exercise is still exercise. It’s nice to tell people that you work out, but getting prepared to do it day in and day out is another matter entirely. It can be challenging to start and also to continue. So, what keeps you motivated?

Here are some keys that can help you to motivate yourself and others to take up the lifelong activity.

* Choose an exercise that you love to do – Let’s face it; if you don’t like to do it, then you won’t want to get up in rain, sleet or snow and get the job done. There are tons of activities that bring physical activity and challenge your heart and lungs. You don’t have to run if it is monotonous to you. Maybe you like the aerobic studio or dancing. The point is to get moving and stay moving.

* Work out with a friend – All of us know at least one person who wants to get in better shape. Ask that person to participate in regular exercise sessions with you. It can be meeting at the gym, in the park, on the tennis court or in your living room to do an exercise video. One thing that the buddy system does for you is motivate you to get better. The competition is contagious. You will constantly want to outdo each other, thereby having fun and getting in shape.

* Measure your results – The greatest motivator is a changed life. At the beginning of any exercise program, there will be hard days and painful days as your body adapts to the new activity. Over time, keeping track of your progress can leave you wanting more. Try on your clothing. Is there more room in the waist than two weeks ago? Are your arms looking slimmer in that sleeveless top after lifting weights?

* Begin a training program – So you’ve been exercising for a while and are getting a little complacent. Set goals for yourself. Losing weight can be a vague goal that is hard to hold on to. If you like to run, how about training for a local race? This will give you the motivation you need to continually challenge your body and mind.

* Reward yourself – For every good week, try a reward system. It can be a massage, a new article of clothing or something else entirely – as long as it’s not food. Getting to do something you like as a result of a good exercise week can spur you on to new goals.

Motivation can be hard to come by, especially with exercise. Use these tips above to keep yourself encouraged.

Staying Motivated in Exercise: How to Spice Up Your Exercise Regimen

Many exercise gurus recommend sticking with an exercise program for three months at a stretch. This doesn’t mean that after three months you can quit. Now, it’s time to change things up a bit.

Usually it takes that long for your body to get used to the routine you are doing. Another way to tell is if you hardly break a sweat even after going at it hard. Also, when you hit that plateau, it’s time for a new way of thinking.

What were you doing before for exercise? If it was jumping rope or walking on the treadmill, add a new component to your workout. Combine your earlier workout with elliptical training or weight training, or hop in the pool and swim a few laps. After the pool, use the treadmill to cool down a bit and stretch those muscles.

How about working out with a friend? Having someone new in the mix can take your program to the next level. A friend is like a friendly competitor. They inspire you to work harder and stick to it. Also, there are exercise routines that work better with two people (throwing the medicine ball, spotting when working on weights).

If you are a member of a gym or have a friend who is the member of a gym, go as a guest and take a class. Most gyms have a variety of classes from spinning to aerobics, to kickboxing to dance classes. It is both heart pumping and fun to be in a group for once instead of by yourself.

If you are looking for a way to jumpstart your results again, try cross training. If you are used to working out to exercise videos in your living room, how about riding your bike for a change? Your legs may be used to squats and kicks but pedaling uphill is a whole different story. This creates muscle confusion and makes them work harder to compensate. You build more muscle quicker that way.

For the runner, this could mean taking to the pool and swimming for a while. You are challenging the same muscles in new ways and new muscles altogether when you cross train. Along the same lines, consider joining a local sports league to get some exercise and a social break as well.

When you are no longer thrilled with your exercise program, you are less likely to stick to it. Also, your body won’t respond the same any more. Use the above suggestions for ways to throw a new twist into your workout.