4 Ways to Avoid a Winter Workout Rut

winter workout rut

Even for the fittest people out there, training is a constant challenge, and this is the time of year when the most people just don’t have the drive to answer that challenge, opting for more sedentary lifestyles than they usually partake in.

Have a look at this list of tips to avoid a winter workout rut so you can stay motivated and continue to make solid progress. When the snow and ice thaw at winter’s end, you’ll be looking and feeling great.

  1. EMBRACE THE COLD WEATHER

One of the best way to stay in shape during the cold months is to get out there and face it like a man. Whether you enjoy downhill skiing, cross country skiing, ice skating or just bundling up and going for a run, getting outside will be invigorating and will provide a great change of pace from cooping yourself up inside all the time.

Running in the snow as an activity will be so intense that it will wear you down quickly, give you a great workout and get you back inside before your sweat has the chance to freeze.

fitness-gear

 

  1. HOOK YOURSELF UP WITH NEW GEAR

On that note, you’ll want some new clothes and/or shoes to help you get outside, or into the gym, more often. Clearly, this will help you look better while working out, but more importantly, it will provide you with the proper apparel to face the cold, and the monetary investment should motivate you to make your purchases worthwhile.

Try to find a happy medium with your budget – don’t feel the need to spend too much but don’t automatically go for the cheapest available thermal leggings or gloves unless you can tell that they will be effective.

woman-screaming-at-the-scale

  1. TAKE THINGS SLOW AND STEADY

Unfortunately, this isn’t really the time of year for half-days, long weekends and vacations. If work is really bogging you down, and/or if you’re really feeling the winter blues, don’t worry about setting aside a long, continuous period of time at the end of the day for one big workout.

If you’re on a tight schedule, it’s better to set goals that involve an accumulation of exercising over the course of the day. Don’t make it so that you have to do it all at once. It can also be better for your heart rate variability, since you’re constantly going in and out of exercise and rest.

jump-over-fire

  1. SET A BIG GOAL

It doesn’t matter that 2016 is almost over – if you don’t have a set training goal, or have been slacking off with the one that you made, it’s time for a change. Whether you want to lose weight, put up better numbers or get faster, set a reasonable goal and make it as specific as possible.

Try to think of a goal that involves numbers or a concrete accomplishment – like getting strong enough to do some crazy exercise that has always been a little too difficult to complete, like a pistol squat or a handstand push-up. Maybe even compete in your local Spartan Race.

Keep Grind’N!

 
Photo by Fil Mazzarino on Unsplash