Most of us have trouble fitting in exercise, but when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, the added challenge leads many of us to give up. Then, when April comes around, we realize that we haven’t gotten any exercise all winter!
Whether your fitness goals include fitting into your clothes, being able to lift your kids, preventing injury, or preparing for a race, figuring out how to maintain a fitness routine in the colder months is essential. The negative effects of hibernating all winter include irritability, weight gain, lowered metabolic rate, loss of strength and endurance, not to mention scrambling to get fit in the spring.
Let’s avoid that fate this winter with these strategies.
1. What’s YOUR time?
You NEED this time for yourself, but what time of day will consistently work? Are you a morning person? Evening? What time do your kids wake up? Now that my son wakes up after 7 a.m., early morning is the best time for me (when I was up at night nursing him, lunchtime or evening was better). The best time of day might change with your schedule and your kids’ routine.
2. An hour a day? Yeah right!
Perhaps you can commit an hour, and that’s wonderful, but if you sincerely think you only have 20 minutes to exercise, so be it. High intensity workouts (think High Intensity Interval Training or Tabata), can give you a great bang for your time. Consistency is key for most fitness goals, so even 20 minutes daily is beneficial. Make sure that whatever time you have, you include exercise styles specific to your goals. Sore or tight? Be sure to include flexibility exercises. Planning some running races? Be sure to run.
3. Why do you usually quit? Make this the last time!
Recognize the key to your consistency. Do you think exercise is boring? Try something new: Trampoline, Megaformer, Spinning, Pilates, Yoga, Gymnastics, Stroller Strides, Zumba etc. Exercise does not have to be boring. Is time the most challenging factor? Time-efficient videos like T25 and P90X help you make every minute count. Need a variety? Try a gym that offers equipment and classes. Need motivation? Exercise with a friend or family member if feasible. Can’t coordinate schedules? Commit to checking in with each other on your fitness planning and progress.
4. Kids coming with you?
If you want or need your workouts to be time your kids spend with you, Stroller Strides and Stroller Barre with Fit4Mom make your kids an important part of the workout. The workouts include cardio and strength for all levels, as well as singing and interactive play with your children. Family Tree Yoga offers mom and baby classes with your baby and toddler-age children, as does Kaia Yoga, and the New Canaan YMCA offers family fitness classes.
5. Embrace outdoor winter fitness.
If you’re already a regular skier, you’ve got this one covered. If you haven’t incorporated snowshoeing, ice skating, skiing, cross-country skiing (a super calorie burner), downhill skiing, or snowboarding into your winter schedule, don’t miss out! When I first moved to CT, I decided I needed to find ways not to despise winter, so I tried snowboarding and cross-country skiing. While I can’t always fit them into my schedule, I look forward to fitting in at least a day of each activity every winter.
