When you put the bathing suits and shorts away and bust out your parka and sweatpants, staying motivated to exercise can be quite difficult. I’m here to give you a few tips to help you feel inspired to move your body for at least 30 minutes as often as four or five times a week, even through the frigid, winter months!
1. Take a new class. A lot of studios in Pittsburgh offer student discounts, even if they may not advertise them on their websites. When snow is falling outside and you can’t feel your toes on the way to class, consider finding a hot yoga class so you can remember how it feels to be really, really hot.
2. Got a date party or spring break vacay coming up? Go get a new dress and hang it up somewhere where you’ll see it everyday. Having a vision of how you want to look and feel for a special event is a powerful way to keep you motivated to get in a workout!
3. Make a WHY list. Why do you workout now? Write it down and next time you just want to cuddle with a snuggly blanket instead of going for that run, whip the list out! #whiptheWHY. You can even Google lists of immense benefits of exercise and add those to the list. Some of those can include improving mood, decreasing risk of cardiovascular diseases, boosting energy, and increasing libido.
4. In a workout slump? Buying a cute new sports bra or downloading some new tunes can really encourage you to get out of the comfort of your dorm and into the gym.
5. I don’t know about you, but after watching Maddie Ziegler dance in “Chandelier” I immediately felt inspired to get to a dance class and develop 1/100 of the skills she has. Watching YouTube videos of dancers, Olympic events, athletic events, etc. can really give you a boost of inspiration by seeing the potential your body truly has! But, be careful on YouTube, set a video limit so you actually end up working out.
6. Read success stories! Live vicariously through other people’s stories and see how working out and eating healthy altered their lives (not just their bodies).
7. Join a challenge! Lots of fitness and health gurus offer challenges on their websites or Instagram that can hold you accountable. @Cuchira on Instagram is challenging her followers to a Yogance Challenge. You learn a yoga/dance sequence via Instagram every day and have to journal about your experiences and post videos of your practices. You will for sure stay motivated with her captions like “YOU WON’T BACK DOWN TO YOUR FEARS.”