It’s coming whether you like it or not. I’m talking about frigid temperatures, piling snow and icy road conditions. While we can’t control the winter weather, we can control how we keep fit during those cold days we can’t make it to the gym. Here are some practical fitness tips on how to stay fit during the winter months ahead.
Exercise DVD’s & YouTube
Since the Jane Fonda days, using exercising tapes, or now more recently, DVD’s and YouTube are a trusted method for keeping up with your exercise routine during the cold months. From contemporary dance to boxing to Zumba, there is a fitness DVD catered to just about everybody's exercise style. I recommend anything by personal trainer Jillian Michaels, whose DVD's range from intense, break-a-sweat aerobics to body toning Yoga. If you're more into changing up your workout every week, you can thank YouTube for providing tons of fitness channels (for free) to choose from so you'll never be bored doing the same exercise over and over.
Keep a schedule – and stick to it!
The worst thing about the winter weather is that you feel like snuggling up in a warm blanket and during hot chocolate versus pulling on your sweats. In order not to go through the "Should I or should I not go today" back and forth conversation you have with yourself make a schedule of the days you know you can dedicate to exercising. A good method for those who have trouble with structured schedules is to start off with dedicating one day of the week and one day on the weekend to exercise. From there, gradually start increasing the time and the number of days a week – this will help you to ease into a routine instead of forcing one.
Do winter activities your way
I don't like snow or the cold weather. Like at all. But there is something to be said going for a brisk (and I use that word completely literally) walk on a bright and sunny winter day along a trail. The best way to exercise during outside is to tailor it to what you enjoy. If you don't want to run for five miles, do a light jog. If snowshoeing sounds more task than exercise, go sledding (climbing up the hill is exercise enough!). Keep the activities challenging yet enjoyable and you'll see and feel the difference.
Get the right gear
We all have that one day (or days) where we absolutely won't step outside to go the gym even if Ryan Gosling was in front our house inviting us to go for a run. And that's fine – you don't always have to go to the gym but you should make sure you have some exercise equipment in your abode to make up for those days. Invest in a range of weights, an exercise ball, Yoga mat and if you can, an elliptical machine or treadmill. By purchasing these items piece by piece you will eventually have a mini home gym to call your own.
