I find working out during the summer to be much easier. There are endless amounts of outdoor sports to try out from hiking to biking to tennis (just a few of my favorites), plus things like swimming which are super fun and hardly seem like exercise, but really are! When winter rolls around, things get a bit more difficult. I can’t work out outside in the winter (hello below-zero temperatures in Wisconsin) and let’s face it, just going outside to drive to the gym sucks when it’s that cold. Because of this, I need an extra little push during those months. Today I’m sharing just a few things I’ve found that help me stay motivated to work out during winter.
Put It On The Calendar
This is something I’ve gotten into the habit of doing because it really helps me stick to my workout schedule. If I just tell myself that I’m going to workout, it seems like there’s quite a bit of wiggle room and I can easily just change my mind. But when I schedule my workouts in my planner, I’m much more likely to stick to them.
Create a Routine
I love routines, but I think they’re even more important during the times of year when we most want to cut corners. In the winter, more than anything I just want to get home and throw on some sweatpants, slippers and a blanket and snuggle in for the night. With my routine, I don’t give myself the option of talking myself out of a workout when I get home. I’ve started bringing my gym bag to work and going straight from work to the gym because I know that I’m most likely to talk myself out of a workout when I first get home. Now I don’t go home until after I’ve worked out. That way once I do get home, I actually can throw on comfy clothes and snuggle in for the night!
Work Out at Home
If the cold weather is deterring you from heading outside to go to the gym, start an at-home workout routine instead. There are tons of workouts that can be done from the comfort of your own home. If you have a treadmill or elliptical, then you’re all set. If you’re like me and don’t have one of those (I sold my elliptical awhile back), then there are still plenty of options. I love the app Sworkit, which allows you to create a personalized workout. You can choose a certain part of the body to work on, go for cardio, or opt for something like yoga or pilates.
Another great option for working out at home is YouTube videos! The options are literally endless and I’ve found so many that I love! Some of my favorite YouTube workout videos I’ve done have been kickboxing, circuit training, or Pilates. I also wrote this post with my favorite YouTube channels for working out at home.
Sign Up For an Event
If you need a little something extra to push you this winter, consider signing up for an athletic event such as a 5K, 10K or half marathon (or regular marathon, if you’re that ambitious.) Knowing that you need to train will be the motivation you need to get moving until the big event. And by the time the day of your run comes, it will hopefully be nice outside again.
Upgrade Your Workout Gear
One thing I know about myself is that if I have new workout clothes, I am going to work out. Once in a while if I feel myself slipping into a slump, I treat myself to a couple of new pieces of workout gear. I work out inside, so a cute tank top of a pair of shorts can be worn year-round. I get all of my workout clothes at either Target or Burlington (they have amazing deals on workout clothes!)
How are you staying motivated to work out during winter?
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I definitely find ways to work out in doors since we are having below zero temperatures and worse with wind chill. But I do dress up and take my dog for a mile walk every day, just to get out. #showyourbloglove
Yep, we’ve got the same thing here!
I stay motivated by continually buying packs of classes to pure barre. That way, I know I have to finish them or risk losing them by their expiration date!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
That’s a great tip! I think investing some money helps a lot. I’ve heard so many good things about pure barre, but I’ve never tried it!
I love this!! I use all of these as well as a cheat day to stay motivated!
I do the same thing!
Such great advice! I’m staying motivated because Citrus season is coming lol <3
Thanks Becca! 🙂
Sticking to a routine and updating the workout gear are two things that definitely keep me motivated! Great post!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
Absolutely, thanks Shannon!
I bought the Tae Bo workout video on Amazon and that is tremendously helped me be more motivated to work out in the winter!
That’s awesome! I’ve done Tae Bo a few times with YouTube videos and it’s super fun! Honestly having a fun workout helps a lot 🙂
I really need to workout more now that it’s winter. In January I’m going back to bootcamp, but its indoors now, haha. I’m scared to go back because it’s hard. I really need to workout at home more leading up to it. Thanks for the motivation!
Yeah, I don’t think I could jump right into bootcamp either! Working out for awhile at home would be a great idea!
Marking the calendar and setting a routine are SO important. I haven’t been doing that and, well, I haven’t been to the gym this month! Eek. Must go. Thanks for the reminders.
http://www.HolisticHeadToToe.com
Thanks Jennifer, I totally agree!
I love these tips!! Having a goal to work for is super motivating and a routine is EVERYTHING!!
Thanks Emily! I love having workout goal to strive for!
Great tips! I agree that I do more exercise outside during the spring and fall. I’m a runner as well, so running outside in the winter is something that I will not do 🙂 I bring it inside and set a notice on my phone everyday and my husband keeps me accountable as well!
Yeah, I just can’t run outside in the winter. It’s literally -5 degrees here today, so no thanks!
Great tips! I’m all for staying motivated in the winter months by setting up workout, running (and bike and swim) dates with friends. When you have accountability from friends or your running/tri club partners, committing to fitness becomes very social too.
That’s a great idea! I have a few friends who go to the same gym, so we sort of keep each other accountable by letting each other know when we’ll be working out.
You’re so right about new workout gear being motivation to workout in the winter. I just got some capri tights from Marshall’s too and I am looking forward to going to the gym so I can wear them. They don’t work for outdoor running right now 🙂
http://runwright.net
Absolutely! I have given up on outdoor running for the season though lol
New workout clothes or a new song on the playlist helps get me motivated to exercise!
That’s great! I love a good workout playlist.
It’s definitely tough. I am supposed to do a long training run this weekend (like 25 miles) and the weather looks awful. I had so many excuses – I didn’t want to do it all indoors, didn’t want to slip due to snow or sleet. So I actually booked myself a trip down south for the weekend last minute to get my long run in with warmer weather. I don’t know if that’s true dedication or just craziness!
That’s awesome! Definitely dedication 🙂
Having it on my to do list daily is key! If you schedule it it happens!
YES! I live by my planner, so same here.
I used to hate the gym but I started going due to an illness to continue keeping my strength up. With the nasty canadian winter it is so hard to get motivated to go out and drive all the way to the gym, so i signed myself up for the gym that is literally a 15 second drive from my house so I have NO EXCUSE of why I can’t go haha
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you found what works for you.
These are wonderful tips! I find it difficult to go to the gym in the winter haha.
Thanks Jenny! And yep, I’m totally with you lol
Amen! Working out at home is always my back up plan, but with my 9Round literally like .25 miles away I have no excuse. I bring clothes and go there immediately after school each day- routine is key like you say!
That’s awesome! Our gym is also super close by, so that helps!
My hubby is getting me a mini trampoline for Christmas…THAT will keep me motivated to work out in winter!
Coming Up Roses
That’s so cool! I’ve seen some super fun videos of people doing trampoline workouts!
Great tips! For some reason, I just cannot for the life of me work out at home. I don’t know what it is. I just don’t take at home work outs as seriously at all. It’s a must that I go to the gym haha overall, I’m pretty good about keeping up the routine, but if I ever start to slide off the track, I just pick up some new work out clothes and instantly I’m motivated again! lol
I get that! I enjoy doing workout videos, but I know some people really don’t! I think it’s great that you know what works for you.
Putting it on my calendar is such a big help! I just have to remember to look at it during the holidays!
Glam Hungry Mom
I’m the SAME way! I definitely have to grant myself a lot of grace during the holidays and acknowledge that sometimes it’s just not going to get done.
Calendaring has really helped me a ton this year, and certainly this winter! Can’t wait to get myself some nice new workout clothes to motivate me into the new year.
That’s great! I’m also thinking it’s time to pick up some new workout clothes 😉
Such good tips! Making it a routine has really helped for me!!
http://www.mollyonthemoveblog.com
I’m so glad you found it useful! I agree that incorporating it into your routine is essential!
This is so useful!
Thanks Alura!