How to stay motivated in the cold

Ok - so it might not be cold out yet, but our motivation tends to drop with the decrease in temperature and exposure to the sun.  Here are six tips to help you stay fit and on track this winter.

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Many people let the winter blues get them down and gain some cold weather "fluff". If this sounds like something you could fall into, these tips will help you stay in shape and stay on track.

1. Goals goals goals:

Though the temptation to curl up on the couch next to the fire with a mug of hot chocolate might be strong, that doesn't mean you should just cast goals aside. Setting tangible goals for yourself will keep you motivated and help you to accomplish anything you have set. 

Try to add more vegetables throughout the day, instead of resorting to those tempting comfort foods. Vegetables are packed with the nutrients our bodies need to stay energized, which is essential to our motivation levels. There are ways to make the comfort foods you love, but with substitutes; like mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes.

Check in with yourself (or me) each week to measure your progress - these weekly achievements add up fast! If you keep it up, you'll meet your goal before you know it!

2. Health is not an option:

If you go to bed saying, "maybe I'll go to the gym tomorrow," chances are you won't go. Pack your bag before going to sleep so you can get up and go in the morning. If you hit the 5:00 or 6:00 pm classes after work, bring your stuff with you so you stop directly after work, instead of detouring home  where you can easily get held up and convince yourself not to go.  Commit to your plans and follow through.

We also have to be good role models for our friends and family, their health is just as important as your health. Your loved ones will be model your behavior if they see your results, keep that in mind next time you are about to past the studio and go home.

Bring your friends to class. Not only will this help you stay motivated, but it will help us create a fun, supportive and healthy community.


3. Make your own heat:

Just the fear of feeling cold isn't enough to keep us inside sometimes. If you're heading out for a run or walking to your car to come to the studio, warm yourself up before you go outside. Do 20 jumping jacks, burpees (hehe) or high knees.

4. Get involved:

In winter sports or with the school, activities associated with external programs will force your to move more than you would at home.

Beyond Fit will host a Beyond Fit Games challenge. Get a team of four friends to train hard and eat well over the winter months. In February we'll host the first Beyond Fit games event, where your team will go up against the other teams from different classes. Your team can either compete during class (as the workout) or all teams can compete at once on a Sunday. After all teams have completed the workout(s), the times and scores will be totaled and the winners will be announced. Winners will get bragging rights and an awesome spring body! =)

Teams can also request to make their own gear.

5. Use the weather to your advantage:

Playing outside during a snow day burns a TON of calories. Whenever your kids go outside, challenge them to a snowball fight! Everyone will come inside sweaty and ready for some hot chocolate.

6. Know your excuses and be prepared to work around them:

Excuses, excuses, excuses....

We all have them, but the difference is preparing for them. Think of all your excuses to not come to the studio or play outside. Now think of all the reasons your excuses are invalid. Pretty scary, right?

We really are our own worst enemy.

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