This time of year I desperately envy those of you who don’t have to deal with winter. And more specifically snow, snow, and more snow. We were lucky here in Nova Scotia this year, as winter didn’t really seem to start until the end of January. But since then we’ve had approximately 500 snow storms (that might be a slight exaggeration) with promises of about 50 cm more (that is not an exaggeration) coming just this weekend alone.
With all that snow, ice, and cold air it can be horribly difficult to get or stay motivated to do any type of exercise. Especially if your fitness regime depends on you being able to make it to fitness classes or the gym. Snow storms and winter weather are undoubtably cramping your workout style.
So how do you stay motivated in the winter? Here are my favourite tips to keep you going when the snow is flying!
1) Set A Spring Fitness Goal
Maybe it’s a spring race, a goal to ride a century (a 100 mile bike ride), perhaps you’ve registered for a yoga inversion workshop and want to work on your upper body strength to prepare for it, or something completely different. Setting, and registering for, a specific fitness event in the early spring can really help keep you motivated during the winter months. As much as you may not want to hit the treadmill, chances are hitting the start line for a 5 or 10K (or more) distance race without the proper training is going to be a scary enough thought to keep you on track.
2) Have A Back Up Plan
Prefer working out, out of the home? Many people do, but when you live in a wintery wonderland the reality is that, that can’t always happen. For those days it’s not viable to get out of your house for a workout you need a back-up. Don’t have an extensive home gym? No problem, yoga is the perfect “at-home” workout!
It doesn’t require a lot of space, equipment and it is quiet (so if you live in an apartment, your downstairs neighbours won’t wonder when a herd of elephants moved in 😉 ).
There are endless resources for yoga classes online, so how do you choose? Stayfree® and My Yoga on Gaiam TV have partnered together to solve that problem for you!
Until March 12, 2015, you can receive a free 30 day online subscription to My Yoga on Gaiam TV with any Stayfree purchase! I’ve used My Yoga on Gaiam TV before and really enjoyed all of the options for classes. There are lots of options for different lengths of classes, experience levels and focus so there is truly something for everyone.
3) Be Prepared
On those occasions when you actually make it out of your house for your workouts, make sure you’re prepared in case you get there and find out that it’s that time of the month. Ugh. The last thing you want to do is finally make it to your favourite class and then have to go back home because that arrived and you weren’t ready for it.
Keeping a supply of Stayfree Ultra Thins in your workout bag is the perfect way to stay calm, cool, and collected during any activity. They shape and flex with your body for great coverage whether you are in Downward Dog or squatting a new PR at Crossfit!
4) #JustBeFlexible
Stuff is going to happen. The best made plans sometimes crumble. My best advice to stay motivated during the winter months is to roll with the punches. If you’ve taken the time to lay the groundwork from the previous steps, this should come naturally, but lots of people get de-railed when the unexpected pops up. Staying flexible (but strong!) both in your workout and in life, is the best recipe for success! Miss a few workouts? That’s bound to happen now and again, the important thing is that you get back on track at your first available opportunity. Don’t let a couple days detrail your whole year!
How do you stay calm cool and collected?
Stay calm, cool, and connected with Stayfree®. For a limited time, received a free 30 day online subscription to My Yoga on Gaiam TV with any Stayfree purchase! Keep your receipt and visit Stayfree.com/myyoga for program details.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Stayfree®. The opinions and text are all mine.