Beat the Winter Blues with Exercise

Now that the holidays are over, many of us face the winter months with a lack of motivation.  The days are shorter and darker, and we tend to spend much less time outside.  Our vitamin D levels can drop, contributing to the winter blues.  It’s especially important this time of year not to retreat to the comfort of the living room couch, and attempt to make yourself feel better with comfort foods. 

The best way to combat the sluggishness brought on by the long, cold winter months is to GET MOVING!  Even if you are not keen on indoor exercising, there are several things to keep in mind that will help put your body, and mind, in a much better place.

Just twenty minutes of vigorous exercise a day can ramp up metabolism, improve circulation, and improve your mental outlook.  Jump on the treadmill and increase the resistance two or three times what you normally would – you’ll break a good sweat and start to feel better immediately.  You may even be motivated to exercise longer!  You’ll rev up your metabolism and be less inclined to overeat later in the day.

Remind yourself that spring is just around the corner!  You don’t want all of your hard work destroyed by a few months of hibernation.  Why start over come springtime?  Give yourself the gift of staying on track throughout the winter, then by the time spring rolls around, you’ll be ahead of the game.  You’ll look and feel better by summer than you ever expected.

Stay on course with your diet.  Although we all tend to lean toward comfort foods and eat more throughout the winter, make sure your diet is healthy, packed with plenty of fruits and colorful vegetables.  Spend the extra time indoors planning and cooking your own meals.  A healthy diet equates to a healthy mind, which will keep you on track to meet your physical goals and prevent you from falling off the wagon.  Your mind, and body will thank you. 

Get moving this winter.  Catch a cardio class at Passion for Fitness.  Vow to do at least three classes a week – you’ll have fun, and won’t even know you’re exercising!  When the weather isn’t bad – bundle up and get outside and get moving.  Even if it’s just for 20 minutes or a half hour a day.

By creating a positive mindset and vowing to stay on course throughout the winter, you’ll reap the rewards come springtime.  Remind yourself of how you want to look this spring.  When the warm weather arrives (and it will before you know it), you’ll be feeling and looking great, ready to sport those summer fashions with confidence!