Staying motivated to workout in the winter can seem pretty daunting. I always tend to find myself moving a bit slower throughout the months of Jan and Feb. And this year is really no exception. I’ve already noticed myself wanting to pull away from some of those previously scheduled workouts and replace them instead with lounging on the sofa with a hot cup of tea.
It can be easy to get into this habit of feeling too tired, too cold to throw on those workout clothes. That’s why it’s so important to create a plan to help stay motivated to workout, especially in the winter.
I never really considered myself much of a winter person, but I’m learning to embrace it and offer it a little more love and a little less disgust.
But even with this new outlook I’ve taken with this chilly season, I still find myself feeling a little more tired and overall less motivated than I was just a few short months ago.
Winter has this way of slowing you down.
But I think we should all learn It’s a wonderful reminder to take things slow. The holidays are over, no more planning and organizing large get-togethers and especially no more frantic shopping! The chaos has come to a close, at least for a small sliver of time.
So take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are important. And the goals you set just a few short weeks ago are still just as important, maybe even more so now.
Keeping those healthy habits top of mind is crucial, especially right now, but it’s equally important not to force it.
We ebb and flow with the seasons and the way we workout can be looked at the same way.
Movement in the winter can look a little different than it will this summer.
Embrace it.
Embrace this beautiful, chilly time of year. Slow things down the way winter always intended.
Please enjoy these low impact, slow movement workout ideas to help you stay on track with all of your fitness goals this winter.
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Go for a Walk in the Snow
Feel like a kid again and go for a walk in the snow. Walking through the snow can be a great way to get some fresh air, but also offers a good workout in itself. It’s not always easy walking through the snow. It offers some pretty intense resentence making it a really great leg toning workout!
Go Sled Riding
Walking up that big hill is a great workout and will help keep you warm at the same time! Then reap the fruits of your labor and enjoy a fun, easy ride down!
Slow things with a Deep, Restorative Yin Yoga Practice
I mentioned earlier that slowing things down in the winter is sometimes necessary. If you aren’t in the mood for a full blown, sweaty session, don’t push it. Try a deep stretch yin yoga class instead. These classes are great to help you stretch and release built up tension and try some different postures that you may not be use to. Sometimes stretching your body in a different way can be an incredible release for tension and stress.
Take a Short Hike at Your Local Park
Keep an eye on upcoming events at your local metro parks. They are always organizing super fun winter hikes. They will tell you what experience level is required for each hike, but most are pretty low impact and some encourage you to bring your dog along too!
It’s also a great way to get out and meet new people. And most of the hikes I’ve been on even offer a cup of hot chocolate ready for you to enjoy at the end.
To help keep all of your wellness goals top of mind, use this free Weekly Wellness Project Printable
Stay Motivated to Workout with a Group Class
It can be easy to decide to stay in rather than venture out and meet up with friends or coworkers. If you feel like your social life could use a boost, maybe consider signing up for a group workout class. Especially if you’re tired of staying in.
Signing up for something on its own is a great way to motivate you to go. Especially if you’ve already paid for the class. It will really make you rethink cancelling the session last minute.
You might also like: Remedies to help cure the winter blues
Workout at Home
If you just can’t bare the idea of venturing out into the frosty air, then maybe a peaceful workout at home is just what you need.
Stay motivated to workout this winter by lighting some candles and make the space warm, cozy and super inviting. Winter workouts at home can sometimes be more appealing since you don’t need to travel over the snowy hills and through the woods to get there!
I love winter evening workouts. The sun going down earlier means the candles come out just a little sooner. And I’m so ok with that.
Make the space extra cozy and start a slow moving, wind-down practice. It not only helps stretch out your body (especially if your job requires you to stay seated for long periods of time) but will also help prepare you for bed.
The aromatherapy of the candles mixed with the dark, ambient candle light will create the most relaxing workout environment you’ve probably ever experienced. It’s definitely a huge way to help keep me motivated too. I look forward to these practices all day.
Bonus points if it’s snowing outside!
Plan Out Your Weekly Workouts
Often times I find that without a workout plan for the week, I am far less motivated to stick with it. More often than not I will end up just skipping the workout altogether. It’s just too time consuming to figure out what workout I’m going to do the day of. I end up cutting it super short or just not doing it all. But If I know what the plan is for that day I am far more likely to stick with it.
Hot Yoga
For someone who is always cold (raise your hand if you are the same way!) hot yoga can feel super amazing on a cold, snowy day. These sessions can be pretty intense so maybe this one isn’t as much of a low impact workout, but I thought it warranted a spot on this list. I promise you will feel so amazing you’ll forget all about the snow on the ground!
It will help wake you up and warm you up all at the same time. It’s like giving yourself a cup of hot cocoa, but without actually giving yourself a cup of hot cocoa. Does that make sense? Clear as mud? Ok moving on…
I hope this post helps to inspire you to stay motivated to workout even in the winter. Don’t let that chill in the air stop you from your fitness goals this year. I know winter is cold, dreary and can feel like it’s never going to end, but find ways to enjoy it. It will go by much faster if you can find a way to work with it rather than against it.
It’s important to keep active in the winter. But remember to take things slow when you need to, do what feels right and (as much as we’d like) don’t hibernate.
Stay warm friends,
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