How to Beat the Winter Exercise Blues

Winter is here. The days are getting shorter, everyone is colder and gyms across Melbourne are seeing attendances drop as people go into hibernation mode, yep, it's the "winter exercise blues".

One of my clients asked for advice about getting motivated to exercise during these cold winter months.

She was after some strategies to use and I do have some suggestions but I also have a simple two word response to those of you who find it “too hard” to get out into the winter nights to exercise. (Wash your mouth out! Not THOSE two words! As if I’d swear in my blog!!!).

Let me give you some thoughts about this Hibernation Syndrome and then I’ll share my Two Words.

Let me be very clear about this.

“Too hard” is an excuse. 

In spring it’s “too wet”, in summer it’s “too hot”, blah blah blah.

In the absence of motivation, and more importantly, HABIT, excuses are plentiful and action is scarce.

Regardless of distraction, exercise (‘training’ for those of us who are serious) should be a habit. It is a non-negotiable activity that is scheduled, prepared for and followed through on.

The moment you allow a conversation in your head to occur allowing you options... alternatives... negotiations...  you’re lost.

If you plan to exercise, book the time and commit. This is a mental effort and requires practice until it’s set in stone.

I train at a Crossfit gym about 45 minutes drive from home. The only time I can fit my training in is at 6am. That means I need to be awake at 4.50am and in the car by 5.10am. Blech!

It’s a horrible hour to be up! It’s dark, it’s cold and my eyes aren’t quite working yet, let alone my brain.

But I know that I HAVE to do that to get what I want. I have certain fitness and health goals that I want to achieve and unless I stick to my scheduling, those goals won’t happen.

Bear in mind that most nights of the week I’m still working at 9pm so please don’t give me your excuses about being tired, or time poor. If it’s important, you’ll find a way to make it happen.

Now, those two words.

Harden. Up.

Yep, lacks empathy and warm-fuzzies doesn’t it. (Have you met me?)

Decide what motivates you.

Is it weight loss? Is it health? Is it social interaction? Is it pain management? Focus on your over-arching goals and visualise that you’re taking active steps to achieve those goals.

Feel free to give in to the winter exercise blues.  Sit on the couch and dream of your summer body and you'll achieve precisely nothing.

In six months time, you’ll still be struggling with your belly fat, your stiff muscles, your injuries. Only they’ll be worse.

Consistency wins. Every. Single. Time.

Make a date with a buddy to exercise. Keep each other accountable. Use a mood board – what about a picture of yourself in a skimpy summer outfit if weight loss is your goal. Write your exercise time in your diary in red and highlight it.

But above all, take action.

Avoiding the winter exercise blues requires only ONE thing.

A change to your mindset. 

Commit. Take Action. Repeat.

Honestly, the most successful people in life aren’t always the smartest or most talented. They’re the ones that just ‘show up’ day in and day out. They put in the effort and never quit. Keep your eye on the prize, lock onto your target and you’ll be sure to achieve your goals.

And you’ll have conquered Hibernation Syndrome!