Exercise

Fitness When It’s Frigid.

Everyone knows that exercise is great for increased energy, better sleep, improved mood, and all-around wellness.  However, exercise can be a challenge when the weather starts getting cold and the days are shorter.  It is hard to motivate yourself to move out from underneath that cozy quilt in front of the fire and force yourself to endure the freezing-cold air in your face while you log some snow-crunching miles. But, if you plan ahead, make things fun, and set a routine, you can conquer the winter months and be well on your way to a healthy, happy spring and summer.

Schedule it. If exercise isn't your thing, it is unlikely that you will be motivated to do it on a whim during your day.  Think about the week ahead, look for opportunities you could squeeze 15-30 minutes of exercise into your regular routine.  Don't have to pick up your kiddo from daycare until 5:30, but you're off at 4?  Kids go to bed at 7:30 and you're in bed at 9?  Have an hour lunch that is usually spent crunching out work at your desk?  Use these windows of opportunity to work exercise into your daily routine!  You can find time for something as long as you make it a priority.

Plan Ahead. Pack your running shoes, workout clothes, and other fitness accessories the night before so they're ready to go in the morning.  Double check you have gloves and a hat, just in case the weather decides to change.  Eliminate any excuse that you'll "just do it tomorrow."

Think of warm alternatives.  If it's -10F outside, it's unlikely you will and should be spending much time outside.  Look into a short-term membership at a nearby gym, invest in some hand weights and a yoga mat for home, find some fitness videos on YouTube that require only body weight, plan to use things you already have at home to help get your heart rate up.  Do you have a flight of stairs?  Do 5 stair laps, 10 squats, 10 lunges per leg, and 10 jumping jacks - repeat 3-5x! The luxury of exercise is it can be done ANYWHERE.  If you have enough room to stand, you have enough room to exercise.

Trick yourself. Don't think of it as "exercise."  Find other ways to incorporate movement into the things you do every day.  Chase your kids around in the snow.  Put away the snow blower and shovel your driveway.  Walk some laps around the mall with your significant other. Think of other ways to incorporate more physical activity into things you do every day, and before you know it, it will become routine and you'll be feeling better!

As long as you're moving, you're lapping the people on the couch!

Get out there!