5 Ways to Beat the Winter Workout Blues

It’s Wednesday, time for some mid-week motivation! While we have been having some pretty amazing running weather lately, let’s not forget it’s still only January and whether your new years resolution was to get in shape or you are a fitness junkie getting worn out on the gym routine, I’ve got the perfect tips to keep you motivated this winter.

On Monday I mentioned how we don’t always have time to do everything, but we can always make time to do those things that are important to us. If being healthy and staying in shape is important to you (which I hope it is to everyone) then you’ll definitely want to make a little time to read this.

5 Ways to Beat the Winter Workout Blues

1. New Gear

Just like buying a new dress for a date night, getting new clothes to wear at the gym can be just as exciting. The days of an old t-shirt and running shorts to workout in are over. Today there are so many different amazing companies that sell gym clothes to make you feel comfortable and confident when breaking a sweat. Some of my favorites are these ombre workout leggings and dry-fit tops from Cory Vines. They are perfectly light and comfortable for running outside or doing yoga in my apartment.

2. Don’t Think, Just Do

I may sounds like a Nike commercial here, but I would say this is probably my best advice. I once watched an interview with Jennifer Hudson on the Dr. Oz show about how she got in shape. I vividly remember her saying “I don’t think about it I just do it”. She’s a genius! Think about how many times you set your alarm to go to the gym before work and then lay in bed thinking about how much better your bed sounds and then don’t end up going. Or how many times you see sweets and know you shouldn’t eat them, but you think well if I just do it this one time. All in all we end up talking ourselves out of working out or into eating the sweets. Next time don’t think about it, just do it. When that alarm goes off, don’t think about snoozing jump up and go!

3. Find a Motivator

The key to staying motivated is having inspiration such as a friend to workout with or an app to guide you in your workouts or even charge you when you don’t go. A few of my favorites are:

Gym-Pact – talk about motivation this app charges you when you miss a workout and pays you when you go

MapMyFitness – if you enjoy running outside, this app will create a route for you that meets your distance needs based on where you live

GymPocketGuide – looking to tone up this year, but don’t know where to start? This app will give you step by step workouts to target each part of your body

4. Start Training

It’s never to early to start training. Sign up for a 5k or heck a half marathon for this spring or summer and kick start you winter workouts with a training schedule. I find once I commit to a race, there’s no turning back with training and I sure don’t want to be that last person to cross the finish line. Find out what races are coming near you with this race finder.

5. Have Fun

Working out doesn’t always have to be lifting weights until you can’t move the next day or running until your legs fall off. Breaking a sweat can be fun too and it should be in order to keep up with it. Dedicate at least one workout a week as your “fun” workout. It can be trying a new class, bringing a friend to the gym with you, doing something active outside such as riding a bike or tennis in the park, running the treadmill while watching one of your favorite tv shows, etc. Doing that workout that you look forward to each week will keep you pushing all the way through the week!

Now time to get out there and get moving! I don’t know about you, but I want to live to be 100…that’s some motivation to be healthy right there. How do you stay motivated to working out during winter?