Shorter days shouldn’t mean shorter workouts but when 5 o’clock at night starts looking like midnight, the last thing you want to be doing is working out. So how do you keep up with the fitness routine you had during the spring and summer?
Days are getting colder and shorter so ‘tis the season for morning workouts. It’s time to start getting up early, throw back those cozy covers, and get your body moving for the day. Come spring break, you’ll be glad you did it.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Be Prepared
There are going to be mornings when you still want to run outside and breathe in the fresh air instead of being cooped up in the gym. But, on those days, be sure to check the weather the night before to see if it’ll be reasonable to or if the snow will get in the way. If it looks like you’re in the clear, lay out your workout clothes before bed so you’re not wasting any time in the morning.
- Layer up for warmth
For outdoor exercise, the right clothing will make a huge difference to the experience. Plan on:
- A lightweight top
- Lightweight fleece for dry weather
- Light waterproof for rain
- Leggings or running tights
- A beanie hat
- Gloves
- Use your Friends
Schedule workout dates in your calendar to meet you friends for a class or a job. When you meet up with someone, you have them to be accountable to. Those who tend to work out solo are more likely to skip the workout and bail for the day.
- Stay Hydrated
It’s more common for people to forget to drink water while exercising in the winter because they don’t feel as thirsty as they do in the warmth. It’s important to remember that your body is still expending energy and sweating, so water should still be consumed on the regular.
- Find the Motivation
Whether your motivation be spring break, New Years resolution, or just staying healthy in the winter, use it. You want to beat those winter blues and feel the rush of endorphins. Research from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands suggests that once you’ve acclimatized, exercising in the cold burns fat quicker than more comfortable temperatures, because deposits of so-called “brown fat” are activated as the body learns to get warmer, faster. So winter might even be better for weight management than those jogs in more pleasant weather.