"My body is here, but my mind is actually still asleep in bed," one client said to me on a particularly cold, dark morning. She proceeded to prove it by staring in incomprehension at exercises we'd done hundreds of times, forgetting what she was doing halfway through a set and sighing every time I gave her another exercise.
It's official. The winter blahs are here. I can't do anything about the weather (and, believe me, I've tried), but I do have some ideas for managing the winter blahs:
- Go outside - It takes a bulldozer to get me out of the house when it's cold, but I always feel better breathing fresh (even if it's arctic) air after being cooped up. Even if you only get out for a few minutes, you'll boost your mood and renew your gratitude for having a warm room to get back to.
- Spice things up - If you're stuck working out indoors, workouts can quickly get tedious. Now is a great time to try something different - A class, a video or a new activity like kettlebell training.
- Remember the Future - It feels like winter will last forever, but it will end. Imagine what you'll do when it's warm outside and start working on getting your body ready for it. Whether you want to train for a race, get in shape for summer activities or just look good in a bathing suit, having a goal can keep you on track.
- Exercise with others - If your energy is flagging, try working out with a friend or take a fitness class with other people. Being around others not only gives you more energy, it reminds you that there's a world out there and you're not the only one in it.
You'll find more ideas in my article about beating the winter blahs, but I want to hear from you. How do you get through the toughest part of winter? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
As I always recommend, make the workouts part of you lifestyle. Don’t just exercise because you have to, do it because you love to. Otherwise, you will always find excuses.
I agree completely with Emily. Working out has turned into a fun habit/hobby for me. I like going to the gym because I can chat with some of the personal trainers I’ve met through my time there, de-stress from my day at work, and give myself an energy boast to get me through the rest of the day, which in the winter time often includes lots of time stuck inside my apartment because it’s cheap and warm.
If you don’t feel like exercising- do 3 reps or 3 minutes of an exercise- there are two reasons for this:
First- any exercise is better than no exercise and second- by starting with no pressure you often feel like doing more!
What is important to remember is motivation is not something that will just magically happen to you. So many of us (myself included) wait around for that day when suddenly you actually feel like exercising. Motivation is something we have to teach ourselves. By starting exercise even if you don’t feel like it, eventually you will start to see and feel the benefits and (wa-la) be motivated to continue.
I was a skinny mini in high school and after having three kids. I quit smoking and gained 40 pounds can’t afford a gym membership but i need some helpful hints. I also have arthritis so high impact stuff will not work with me.
Thanks for any advice!!
Because Chicago is well above latitude 35 degrees, people can’t produce any vitamin D3 through exposure of skin to sunlight. People with the lowest levels of vitamin D3 (cholcalciferol) are 11 times more likely to be suffering from depression. Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)”. Dr. Ben Kim takes 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily in winter, as do I, but older people, the overweight and those with darker skin may need considerably more. Light therapy may help.
My body is here, but my mind is actually still asleep in bed I always use this sentence but i love to tell I am hear but my brain is somewhere else…..
The YMCA has been a god-send in the winter time. Yes, it’s crowded, yes the New Year’s crowd is still hanging around, but it beats sitting at home! Even my kids love to go and do the family zumba classes or go swimming. The Y has a program that will allow you to pay what you can if you can’t afford the regular membership dues. One of the earlier posters was asking about options for arthritis. Try water aerobics (at the Y of course!!)
That is just so true what Emily said , If you do not enjoy doing something you are not going to be doing it for long. I love to exercise it’s who I am.
Love you blog thanks for the great advise.