How to get moving in winter

moving in winter

Do you pull the doona up or do you get up and get moving?

When it’s cold and dark outside instead of pulling the doona up and going back to sleep, get up and exercise. You need to dig deep and find the motivation to get moving in winter, but it’s worth it. So instead of groaning, say to yourself “yay, its exercise time” and bounce out of bed without thinking too much. Before you know it, you will be pounding the pavement and moving your body.

Apart from helping with weight loss, the benefits of being physically active are many. Such as: helping digestion, improving sleep and feelings of mental and emotional well-being. Exercise boosts energy, assists with stiff joints, helps combat lifestyle diseases and strengthens the heart which is the most important organ in our body.

There is only good to be said about exercise even if it’s cold outside, so purchase a good pair of joggers, grab a bottle of water and get moving.

Getting started

When I first started my healthy regime, I didn’t do any exercise as I felt so unwell and heavy at 100 kilos. After a few weeks, I perked up a little so I started with a 15-minute walk and progressed from there. I found that walking was a really easy way to fit exercise into my busy day and it didn’t cost anything.

To stay committed you must make exercise a ‘must do’. When something is important, you always find a way or solution to do it, so this is the attitude you need over winter – exercise is a must-do!

If you want to lose weight I would suggest you plan in 4-6 sessions a week. If you want to maintain your present weight or just to keep yourself healthy then 3-4 sessions a week will be enough.

3 ways to get moving in winter

  1. Join a gym, this gives you an all-weather workout option.
  2. Find your nearest heated pool – start using it in winter, swimming and water aerobics provide a whole-body workout.
  3. Take a class – try martial arts, dance, yoga, there’s even hula hooping classes in my area.

Exercising at home

  • Use the stairs. If you have stairs in or nearby your home, go up and down them as many times as you can, this is great to get your heart rate up.
  • Dance to your favourite CD or do an aerobics workout. Aim for 30 minutes – start small and increase your time.
  • Play with the kids. Throw a ball back and forward for 15 minutes, you’ll be surprised how this can give you a good workout. The key here is that it really doesn’t matter what you do, just keep moving and make it as fun as possible.
  • Set up a home gym. A few hand weights and a fit ball will do the job. Perhaps hire a walking machine or step machine for three months or buy a couple of exercise videos.

Some final thoughts

These days I never regret an exercise session. In fact, if I skip a session I regret not staying committed to the plan. So this winter, instead of pulling up the doona and going back to sleep, get up, get moving and start the day in a positive way, you’ll feel so much better for it.

 

Excerpt taken from my Winter Warmer eBook that includes a 14-day weight loss menu plan to keep you on track over winter


Want more? Find out how to stay motivated to exercise


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