Do you tend to workout less often when the days get shorter, colder and wetter? This has definitely happened to me in the past. And this year I’m trying to find some ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
I haven’t had much luck finding tips and tricks to keep me motivated during the bleak days of Winter. I did find this little article with some interesting information however. According to a British study, if you run indoors on the treadmill while looking at a mirror, you’re more likely to feel like your workout is less stressful. Theoretically, your mind may be a bit hypnotized by watching the rhythmic motion of your arms and legs in the mirror. This supposedly helps you get in the groove and may even help you utilize oxygen more efficiently.
I don’t know if I buy it, and I hate looking at myself in the mirror when I run, but you may want to try it if you’re forced inside by the rain and snow this winter!
What do you do to stay motivated in the Winter?
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I actually tend to get outside and exercise more during the winter. I guess I just like getting bundled up and braving the elements.
Plus I dislike it when it’s really warm. I live in western New York, so I’m used to the winters.
Here in Chicago it isn’t wet yet, just freezing cold – which is actually great for running. My plan thus far has been that I have a race on Thanksgiving morning (tomorrow!) that I have to be ready for, AND I have the perfect running partner: my husband. We both say the hardest part of running is putting on your shoes, but on days when we run one of us usually nudges the other one to get the shoes (and the extra layers) on and head out the door.
Once we’re running in the cold, it’s really energizing and much more fun than running in heat/humidity. But we need to make a plan for snow/slush/freezing rain days, because I know they’re coming… aerobics DVDs? I’m not sure I can see my hubby going for that… looking forward to other folks’ ideas.
I know it’s probably better working out in the cold, but the big problem is just getting myself out of bed. My warm bed.
I did join Cardio Express, a gym chain in my area that has a $100 per year special. I dont’ need the tanning booths or spinning classes or any of the extras – I really just need someplace warm to do the cardio thing. They now have recumbent style bikes, and I have a program that mimics what I’ve been doing all summer, so as long as I can get there a few times a week, I’m good to go.
Here is an idea for those that donÂ’t have the money, room, desire, to own a treadmill. Get yourself a jump rope. They come in all shapes, sizes, and cost. The one I own I picked up for less than four bucks. On the days too cold/wet to get outside, I just pull the car out of the garage, re-shut the door, slip on my headphones and jump for 20 or 30 minutes. It helps to come up with little games to mix it up, too. For example, IÂ’ll jump on one foot for a song, then switch to the other foot the next song. Or, IÂ’ll do double skips during the chorus of a song. A great aerobic workout without having to freeze your booty off, or spending hundreds of dollars.
In the winter, I tend not to want to leave the house unless I must do so. That means I’m going to the gym after work on weekdays, and staying inside on the weekends so I don’t have to brave the walk to the gym. But, I’ve started doing at-home workouts on the weekends that I don’t get to the gym. Even if its just 30 minutes of squats, lunges, pushups and balance moves (all without equippment) I feel better than I would have if I skipped a workout, and get some good muscle work in that is different from my normal routine, and thus challenging.
It’s hard but I like winter running. You just have to talk yourself over the “but I want to stay in… ” factor.
Mesmerized by my movement. Like the up and down of my blubber…
Sign up for a New Year’s Run or a Jingle Bell Run. None of us likes to fail in front of anyone else, so a commitment to a race with other people provides its own motivation.
I’ll be doing the local Thanksgiving Day Run tomorrow morning and that’s about the only thing that’s gotten me out the door lately!
I have a rowing machine for winter workouts, and there are cross-country ski trails right near my house that I use when conditions are right. But I’m amazed how many people here in my city (Montréal, which has long, brutally cold, snowy winters) continue to exercise outdoors. There’s a company called “Cardio Plein Air” that attracts a pretty big crowd of people for outdoor aerobics in the park near our place, and they’re out there regardless of the weather. Last winter I saw them doing aerobics when the temperature was hovering right around 0 Fahrenheit (-18 celsius). I see plenty of joggers and even quite a few bicyclists in sub-zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures. It doesn’t stop ‘em. It stops me, but I’m a wimp…the rowing machine is hard work but it’s easier than dealing with icy pavement.
Interestingly, I have a hard time working out in the summer, but the winter isn’t such an issue. Now, by this I mean that I attend the gym regularly in the winter — I have winter time for lifting weights, swimming, hitting the treadmill, etc. I try to keep it really varied. I actually vary my treadmill workout all the time (inclines, interval runs, etc, and I try to do it all randomly so that it’s just whatever comes to me).
In the summer, I’m outside and active, but it’s less structured. I play ultimate, go boating, go hiking, etc. During the winter, I just remind myself that all those things are going to not be as much fun (or I won’t do them as much) if I don’t put in the pre-work during my winter time.
As for the mirror, I like having one to the side. I don’t have to watch myself in it, but it is a bit hypnotizing, and I can check out my form.
I hate when it gets chilly, which here in
far west Texas won’t get me much sympathy,
and I hate it even worse when it gets cold AND
windy, which does get formidable….
I just quote Nike’s slogan, “just do it”, and force
myself.
In some places I’ve lived, I’ve had access to an
indoor track, which is heaven
no car!
8 mile roundtrip bicycle commute everyday (have to get to class/work!)
Ann Arbor, Michigan Winters!
got myself a nice jacket, some lights, gloves, eargrips…now I just need some knobby tires so I don’t wipe out in the snow again!
I don’t really like running on the treadmill, but since I’m also wussing out not wanting to run outside, I’ve been using my treadmill time to get caught up on movies. Our local video rental place has older movies for $1 for 5-7 days, so I can easily get through a couple of movies a week.
I also use headphones plugged in while running so I don’t have to have the sound turned up so loud.
@Dave: you’ll find some very useful advice (and some good tires!) on this site:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
I would definitely go with studded bike tires in winter in Michigan; knobby tires alone won’t do it.
Yeah, I was thinking of this for some time. Throw the layers of clothing, deal with the cold and get out doors!
-Miguel
It is hard to exercise early in the morning If I catch cold. I usually do 5 to 15 minutes of exercise every morning but when I am with my friends and family, it is longer.
How do I stay motivated in the winter?
I moved to Florida:-) My primary sport is running so I can do that pretty much year-round. I have a more difficult time in the summer during the heat so I’m loving it right now.
Back when I lived in Michigan, working out was still pretty simple. I had a gym membership and a variety of weight-lifting, aerobic and yoga tapes (my favorite are The Firm). I also liked to skate and play hockey.
If you can’t get “motivated”, suck it up and do it anyways. You don’t have to like it to do it.
Cheers!
Luckily, it’s easier to go outside in California all year round…but that doesn’t mean I like it when it’s below 65.
doing excersice at winter is one of the best things to do, it affects you as much as when you do excersice at the hot summer.
dont stop doing it just because its “cold” do it! it will get you wormer and fitter!
I think about how fat I am getting sitting inside and that I can run in the winter without feeling so naked! Besides, you have to be TOUGH to run in the winter, and that’s me!
I’ve found it easier to get out and exercise in winter myself. I hate the heat of summer.
i HATE HATE HATE exercising in front of a mirror – it doesnt matter what – treadmill, aerobics —- it makes me feel super self conscious, i feel like a major “fatty” and is truly depressing…
maybe maybe weight lifting isnt so bad in front a mirror, but then i feel like a tough guy, and id rather be a feminine girl…. ahh the joys
hope you dont get into a slump in the winter ! good luck !
Deb, that’s the idea! when you fell fat, then you get the idea of working harder to achive the goal sonner!
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