It’s starting to get cold outside, and with the cold weather also comes a lack of motivation to stay active. I know that when the temperature starts dropping, my desire to go to the gym drops with it. All I want to do is stay inside, all cozy in my bed, ideally with hot chocolate and Netflix. Although it’s important to let yourself have days of self-care and relaxation, it’s equally important to make sure you don’t turn into a couch potato for the next four months. So how can you stay motivated and active this winter? Follow these 5 tips!
- Schedule Your Fitness
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Try scheduling or booking your workouts the Sunday of each week. That way, you’ll already have blocks of time allocated for staying active. You won’t be able to use the excuse of not having enough time, because you’ve already made time in your schedule for working out. Also, following a schedule each week makes it easier to stay disciplined and consistent with your workouts!
- Mini Workouts
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Believe me, I know how packed students’ winters are with everything from essays and projects to final exams. With so much to do, taking an hour to work out can feel overwhelming and unattainable. But you don’t need to take a full hour to work out! Try “mini-workouts” that are 5, 10, or 15 minutes long whenever you need a little break from work. These “mini-workouts” are a great way to be a little active almost every day. Plus, you can do them in your room, so you don’t even need to go out into the cold to be active! Just search mini-workouts online or on YouTube, and you’ll find tons of options.
- Fitness Influencers
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I love following fitness influencers on Instagram! They keep you motivated, share healthy eating tips, and usually post workout videos or routines. Try and find a few fitness influencers that you like (my personal favorite is @FitwithCambrie), and then just follow their tips! By following a fitness influencer, you’ll also be joining a community of people with similar goals to stay healthy and active. Being connected with people online that have the same goals as you is also a great way to stay motivated. What’s more, now you have an excuse to be on Instagram more!
- Netflix and Cardio
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Personally, I find cardio in a gym boring. I would much rather be doing something active outside, but during the winter that’s not a possibility…So, I’ve found a way to make indoor cardio fun: watching Netflix. When I go to the gym, I’ll spend 30 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill watching one of my newest, binge-worthy shows. You’d be surprised how quickly a 30-minute workout goes by when you’re watching TV! Plus, it’s a great way to stay caught up on all your favorite shows. Maybe even try committing yourself to always working out whenever you watch a new episode of a show. Forget about Netflix and chill, Netflix and cardio is the next big thing!
- Make Active Choices
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Alright, so maybe some days or weeks you’re really busy and just can’t commit to working out. Don’t worry, that’s ok! I get it; it happens to all of us. But you can still make active decisions on a daily basis to ensure you’re staying healthy! For example, try taking the stairs every day instead of an elevator. Try walking instead of Ubering. Do squats while you brush your teeth. These small, decisions you make build-up every day and help keep you active during the times working out is just not an option.
Now you know how to stay active during the next few cold winter months! Her Campus would love to see you #stayingactive, so tag us in your your cute fitness posts or next time you follow one of these tips!