Motivational Tips for working-out in winter months

During the winter months people usually seem to have more appetite and to get lazier with regard to exercise, which can result in gaining weight. 

Here are some tips to keep fit during the winter:

• Try to go to group classes because working out in groups tends to be more stimulating (for most people), competitive, improves team spirit and helps you in making new friendships.

• Having a buddy to work out with is also very positive because you can motivate each other.

• It is noticeable that gyms become very quiet once the cold temperature arrives. Try to exercise as much as possible without making excuses. If there is a day that you really cannot see yourself getting out of your house, then you should exercise at home. There are many choices of Fitness DVDs or Fitness TV-shows. You will feel the positive changes of working out and you can make it part of your routine.

• Choose a play-list of upbeat songs that you like and use it for your workouts or even for dancing around the house.

• Establish a goal that is real and achievable. Losing weight should be a long-term process. Don’t give up if you don’t lose much weight in a short-term period. It should all be about having a healthy diet and working out regularly so you can see positive results. Crash diets are not the answer because they only act to slow down your metabolism (We will leave that for another blog entry!)

• Keep track of your progress. When the winter comes, think about all those things you have accomplished so far by working out. Don’t make it all be in vain.

• Choose a place to work out that is close to your home or your work, to make it more accessible for you. If you choose a place that is far you will be more tempted to make excuses for not going.

• Go shopping! Getting new fitness gear may be an extra motivation for you to workout.

• Use a visualisation technique. Visualisation is used by many professional athletes from all over the world. Prepare yourself before you workout or anytime you want. Relax, close your eyes and imagine yourself achieving your goals. Make it as real as possible. You can try to visualise in your mind as if it were a movie scene. Whenever you go to exercise, play that movie again in your mind.

Remember, if you want to be fit for the summer or prepared for a beach vacation you need to be exercising long before that. Working out at the last minute will not make miracles. You need to work for it, to get results.

So why not start now!!!