Winter Workout Blues
Have
you got the winter workout blues? Feeling the effects of cabin fever?
During these winter months we tend to lose some motivation to get up
and get moving.
With less sunshine and the urge to stay tucked in our
warm and cozy beds it's harder to keep to our workout routines.
The exercise choices are more limited keeping us mainly indoors and
falling into a rut of the same ole same ole workouts.
Although there
are lots of winter activities like cross country and snow skiing, these
activities are not for everyone and generally can't be done every day.
So what other alternatives do you have to warm up and beat the winter
exercise blahs?
One key to staying motivated to exercise, regardless of the time of
year, is to recognize when you are getting bored with the same routine.
This is especially true during the winter months as our moods are a
little less jolly and it's easier to talk ourselves out of our
workouts.
Here are some tips to break the blues and get moving –
warming you up from head to toe.
Warm Up
This
first winter workout blues tip is all about getting warm.
If you feel
the need to stay snuggled in bed and are skipping your
morning routine try placing your workout clothes in the dryer for a few
minutes.
Then climb into those nice warm clothes and get revved up to
do your workout.
If outdoors is where you are headed for your
wintertime workout try warming up indoors first.
Walk around the room
at a brisk pace, skip or even lightly jump rope.
This will warm up your
body and blood before braving the cold weather outside.
Be sure not to
get sweaty during your workout as this will make you cold once you go
outside.
If your daily activity is planned for the inside, still
try warming up first to help shake off the winter cold. Climb up and
down the stairs a few times.
You can march in place or other gentle warm up
activities as well. As you feel the blood flowing, kick it up a notch and dive
into your cardio workout.
Whether it is inside or outside exercises try warming up with a hot
shower to jump start your motivation.
An invigorating shower may be
just what you need to not only warm up but to wake up. The more alert
you are the more motivated you will be to get in a great workout.
Get Outdoors
If you are
missing the great outdoors don't let the snowy scene give you the
winter workout blues. Go ahead and get out there and enjoy the winter
wonderland.
Try
adding a few minutes here and there during your entire
workout to take it outside.
Do some indoor aerobics and then head outside for a few rounds
around the neighborhood.
Then head back indoors for some more cardio
(and to warm up). Then go back outside and finish it up with a brisk
walk or jog.
Dress in layers if you plan on doing your entire
routine outside.
By dressing in layers you are not only staying well
insulated but you can easily adjust as your body temperature rises.
With a thin and comfortable layer as your starting point add another
layer like fleece.
Then top it off with a wind jacket to help keep the
winter wind at bay.
As you get warm you can simply remove a layer and
continue with your exercise.
Don't forget to grab a hat and gloves as
well.
Your winter workouts don't have to be a jog or run but can
be an activity or chore.
Try shovelling the snow (it needs to be done
anyhow) to get in some winter air and exercise.
Take the family and go
ice skating, snow shoeing or another fun winter activity.
These
activities not only help break up the monotony of your winter workouts
but are a fun family gathering.
Switch It Up
For even more motivation and ideas for your winter workout blues try
mixing it up.
If you generally workout in the morning, try a few days
with an evening exercise routine.
Mix up your aerobics and strength
training as well. Add a few days where you combine the two into one
routine.
Switch from using resistance bands to dumbbell weights for your
strength training or head to the gym and use the equipment.
You can
also mix up your cardio by renting a new exercise DVD or hop off the
treadmill and onto an elliptical machine.
With spring just around the
corner, and the winter weather still outside, mixing up your routines
will help break the cabin fever feeling.
You can even try something totally new for you. Try some pilates or
yoga classes or even a spinning class.
Even small changes like making a
new workout tape with new music can feel like a total change to your
normal workout routine. So go ahead and mix it up to break the winter
workout blues.
In addition to these
winter workout blues tips try these exercise
motivation tips.
Additional Articles
Healthy
Soup Recipes
Check out these healthy and delicious soup recipes to warm you down to
your toes. A hot cup of soup not only hits the spot after a cold winter workout, it is a great healthy comfort food as well.
Exercise
Calorie Calculator
Use this free online calculator to see how many calories you burn doing
your winter workouts. Choose from snow skiing, ice skating and many
more winter activities plus structured exercises.
Get Fit Wii
Stay indoors to avoid the winter workout blues and get a great and fun workout with your
gaming machine. Let's all get fit with Wii.