Winter Training: Staying Motivated during the dark days and nights
Hey guys!
Hope you are all well and the training is going good! Sorry I haven't been posting here for a while - You would think this time of year I would be slowing down... So, here's my latest blog on Winter Training: Staying Motivated during the dark days and nights
I would love to know your feedback or any questions you may have! Enjoy!
It’s November. It’s cold. The mornings are dark. You get up to go to work – It’s dark. You come home from work – It’s dark. Your motivation level for any sort of exercise is a big fat ZERO.
You may know that one of my favorite films is Rocky IV, especially when he's in Russian training to fight Ivan Drago. Have a a look at the video - Training Montage. If you're feeling a litte unmotivated, watch this video!
We are only 6 weeks until Christmas – We all know the drill: Eat too much; Drink too much; Party too much; Exercise goes out of the window.
Does this sound like you - During the summer months, you’re a workout fiend. In the gym daily, working out to your maximum, carving your body ready for the beach at the weekend.
You’ve probably heard me and a thousand other fitness professionals say, “Summer bodies are made in the winter” – But it is true. Have you been on a beach in the summer or on holiday when the guy or girl in the pool seem to be in great shape? “Why?” and “How?” I hear you ask. They aren’t naturally in great shape. It’s because they must have put in the hours at the gym during the winter months.
I find the best time of year to train is during November & December. The gyms are usually a little quieter. It’s darker outside, so if you’re a bit self-conscious, you can go for a run through the streets without being noticed. It’s ok to wear that woolly hat your mother-in-law bought you 3 Christmas’ ago that’s been in your bottom draw since.
So, how do you keep going through the winter months?
Even if you are a member of a gym or have a Personal Trainer, sometimes it’s worth exercising outdoors. Remember the benefits of winter training:
- Staying indoors for long periods of time during the winter isn’t really beneficial for your health and can leave you more exposed to illnesses during the winter months. Getting out and about gives you a chance to breathe fresh air, and really stretch your muscles.
- If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), getting yourself outside and exercising will help you alleviate the symptoms by getting more daylight into your system. Exercise has been proven to release endorphins (The feel good hormone), which will help with the winter blues also.
- If your fitness goal is weight loss, exercising in the cold weather burns more calories because you need to move faster and constantly remain warm.
However, like exercising in all weathers, try not to over do it.
It’s also a good idea to set yourself a goal for the summer months. It may be a holiday, a fitness challenge or competition. Something that will motivate you to get up that little bit earlier when it’s cold and dark or go for a run after you finished work.
Don’t lose focus during the lead up to Christmas. It’s strange, because everyone makes New Year’s fitness resolutions for January. However, it’s still freezing outside! 80% of people who make a resolution for January quit by February. You are much more likely to stick to your fitness plan if you start before Christmas. You
My top 5 tips for staying motivated during the winter months:
1. Set a goal – This could be lose a stone by February or lift a certain weight by a certain time. Tell your friends and family about it. Post it on Facebook if you have to. Make yourself accountable for it. Have an inspiring picture of your favourite celebrity body on your fridge, or somewhere where you can see it every day – That’s your motivation!
2. Train for an event – Half marathon, triathlon, Iron man. Whatever the event, apply for it NOW. That way you’ve committed yourself for that event and you want to do your absolute best at it. If your friends are doing an event, join them. You can train together and motivate each other.
3. Focus on the benefits – When the alarm goes off at 6am and it’s cold and dark outside, you need to remind yourself of the beneifits that exercise brings you. I know it’s really hard, but if you want to manager your stress levels, have more energy and feel good about yourself rather than falling asleep in work, and feeling overwhelmed and overweight – get your trainers on!
4. Get a trainer - Us Personal Trainers are the masters of motivation. I regularly get up at 4.30am to train a client at 6am – Whatever the weather. Winter is the perfect time to invest in one! As you’ve paid up front for the sessions, you wouldn’t want to waste your money by not turning up to a session. I guarantee you that you will feel better after a session.
5. Embrace the weather – Instead of avoiding the cold, embrace it! The Shaolin monks train in any conditions because it build character. Just look outside of your window. You don’t need any equipment. Just a pair of good trainers, some running leggings or jogging bottoms, coat & hat and you’re good to go! It will clear you mind and be amazing for you body! If it rains? You get wet!
But the most important thing to remember – ENJOY IT!
Happy Training! Speak to you soon!
Mike x
