Finding motivation to workout when the temps drop

As Texas is wont to do, the weather has been quite finicky lately. It seems we went straight from summer to winter with no recognizable autumn in between. If you were looking forward to perfect weather for long walks in the park and the changing of leaves, it’s probably not going to happen. We’ll get a day or two here or there that seem *perfect* but if you’re waiting on perfect to establish a good workout routine, you’ll forever be waiting.

But, workouts can’t stop because of the colder weather. In fact, it is just as important to keep up a good routine during the colder months as it is during the summer. With shorter days and colder weather and less time outdoors in general, your mood and energy levels can be affected. Throw in the hecticness of the holiday season that is just around the corner, and consistency can go right out the window. Unless you get started now, find a good routine, and keep moving. The following tips will you find the motivation you need when the weather outside is frightful.

1. Find a friend–The most effective way to stick with a plan is to make a plan with a buddy. When you are accountable to someone else, you are simply more likely to suck it up and do it. In addition to the accountability, a buddy can help cheer you on, provide mutual support, and keep you focused on your goals. For those with more competitive spirits, a partner can push you to run faster and work harder in a race for improvement. So, find a friend, make a plan, put it in your Google calendar, and don’t cancel on them–or yourself.
2. Don’t let the holidays distract you– As with every year, the holiday season may mean a lot of additional scheduled activities. Shopping, parties, school activities, etc. These things can majorly disrupt a routine. For those who like routine and consistency, holidays can make things feel out of control. A daily workout, however, can keep you grounded and focused. There may be a lot of things that are out of your control this time a year, but getting up, lacing up, and getting a few minutes of activity in will help you keep perspective and make the rest of the schedule more doable. However, laziness breeds laziness. So, allow yourself some grace if everything doesn’t work out perfectly, but be determined not to completely fall off the workout-wagon. It will be much harder to get back on in the winter.
3. Change your mindset– Some people love to exercise. Other people think that the first group is crazy. If you are in the “I don’t love to workout camp”, you may not have found the right activity for you. If you don’t enjoy walking around the block in the freezing weather, then DON’T DO IT! Your physical activity should be good for your body and your mind, but it should also be good for your emotional self as well. Luckily, there are so many opportunities these days to find something that works for YOU. You can go to the gym, find an inside pool, take dance classes, stream workouts from your computer at home, or search for options on YouTube. There are so many options. Exercise is always going to be hard and there are always going to be days when we don’t want to get out of bed, but overall, it should be fun and you should feel good watching yourself improve.

What about you? What are your favorite ways to stay moving and stay motivated when the weather is cold? Join the conversation on our Facebook page. Or, if you would like more support and encouragement, find our private group on Facebook by searching Living the Ultimate Life .