We have all heard the term ‘summer bodies are made in winter’ and maybe cringed or rolled our eyes. But it’s quite true that if you start your work-out regimen as late as say, October or November, hoping for a bikini bod, you will probably see little change to your shape come December. And you will likely be disappointed and find yourself making a New Year’s resolution about losing weight and getting fit in 2016, writes personal trainer Erin Goodare.
Clearly, our body shapes aren’t meant to be ‘seasonal’ and it would be best to maintain a healthy body no matter what time of year it is. So, why not start today, to get that summer body, and then maintain it all year round? It can be harder to get motivated in winter when you are exercising outdoors, so here are my top tips.
1. Be accountable
Have you set your alarm the night before for 6am with great intentions to hit the gym or go for a walk, but when that alarm goes off, you look outside it’s pitch black, cold and you hit the snooze button. ‘Oops, I’ll do it tomorrow,’ you say to yourself. No matter what season, but especially in winter, you need accountability. This is where a training buddy, a personal trainer or a small group fitness session will keep you accountable to stay consistent with your fitness. If your trainer is also getting up for a 6am session then there is no reason why you can’t as well.
2. Dress correctly
Yes, it might be cold, but it’s winter! All you have to do is grab a pair of long tights and layer up on top. Before you know it you will be stripping off because you’re having a great work-out. Being too cold is no excuse to not exercise, ever. A new gym wardrobe might be just what you need to kick-start your healthy lifestyle.
3. Be consistent
As mentioned above, summer bodies are made in winter, plus spring, summer and autumn. Exercise should be a valuable part of your lifestyle … and not a chore. The key is to not go too gung-ho and burn out within a few weeks. Start off slowly, then gradually build up to what you can manage. You will be surprised at what you are capable of due to your new energy levels.
4. Find something you like doing!
Just because everyone is doing it it doesn’t mean that you have to! Try a few different ways to work out – such as personal training, small group outdoor training or yoga – and see what works best for you. Exercise needs to be incorporated into your life just like your job or taking care of your kids, so it’s important you can use this time as something you really enjoy and look forward to.
5. Rest up when you’re sick
If you picked up the flu this winter then it is best not to exercise, as this will only lengthen the duration of your flu. Instead, rest up a for a few days and, before you know it, you’ll be back into your routine. You can’t beat yourself up about it either – it happens to all of us – but you also can’t use it as an excuse. And a sniffly nose doesn’t count; a nice long walk will do you some good!
6. Stop making excuses!
As a trainer I have heard every excuse under the sun: too busy, too tired, too expensive, too hard, too cold. Before I was a personal trainer I could never put a price on my health – I used personal training as an investment in my health and I have never regretted that decision. Did you know that a one-hour workout is only four per cent of your day?
Why you need to exercise
- To decrease your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers
- To increase your lifespan
- To have more energy; you’ll wake in the morning refreshed!
- To be a role model for your kids
- To FEEL better and be more confidant about your body
- To meet new people
- To challenge yourself like you never thought possible
What are you waiting for?! Life is too short not to experience the benefits of exercising.
To learn more about what exercise can do for you, along with the health benefits associated with different types of exercise and nutrition, please contact Erin Goodare at [email protected]. Also visit Unearthed Vitality.
If you have any tips for mums to help them get motivated to exercise in winter, we’d love to hear them in the comments section below.
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