How to Stay Motivated in the Winter

Photo Credit: Jenny 

Has the winter coldness gotten you down? Failing to get to the gym? How is your energy? Do you feel like you have no motivation or drive? I can relate to your lack of energy and food cravings. We tend to not want to leave the house and eat more too.

Here are some tips to stay fit and healthy in the winter: 

1. Decide your workout regimen for the week and stick to it. For example, plan to do cardio two days a week and strength training two days a week, and when and where you will do them. Make no excuses and just do it. 

2. Workout in the morning if possible. It's better to workout on the morning because you are less likely to keep putting it off until the evening and then not doing it at all. Set your workout clothes next to your bed before you go to sleep so when you wake up they will be there, reminding you that you wanted to workout last night. Everyday, you do not have to go the gym. There are many workouts that you can do at home, some even as short as five to ten minutes if performed in high intensity intervals. 

3. Plan your meals for the week ahead of time and get rid of/throw out ALL the leftover holiday sweets and processed foods. Label your meals for each day and place them into separate containers. The more you plan, the less likely you will start eating unplanned meals or reaching for the fast food if placed in front of you. You will not be able to eat, binge or overeat on sweets and processed foods if you do not have them in the house. I also like to keep track of what I am eating so I log it on an iPhone application, in order to know when I should eat something to make my body feel the best that it possibly can feel. 

4. Drink at least 12 cups of water a day. They say 8, but really, I do not think that is enough, especially  because winter gets so cold and dry. My advice is to start the day with at least 16 oz of water. Place a cup of water right next to your bed and the second you wake up, DRINK IT. 

5. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep. The more sleep you get, the more likely you will want to workout the next day.