Bell’s Broadcast: Winter…how to keep motivated!

It’s starting to get cold, especially in the early morning, and the sun is setting quite early in the evening. We start to come up with excuses such as “It’s too cold to work out!”. Yes, it can be tough to get motivated when the wind is howling or the sky is pouring with rain, but don’t give up all thoughts of staying active – indoors or out. A little planning will help you get through the winter months ahead.

Today, Annabel and the Longevity Exercise Physiology teams at Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain, Neutral Bay, Coburg, Melbourne are diving into the cold water to see how you can keep motivated during this time and keep up your exercise regime.

During the colder months, you might be tempted to curl up on the couch and watch Netflix. While it’s good to relax and have some down time, it’s also important to stay active and healthy during winter. With cold winter temperatures and exercising in the cold, dry air, you can be at higher risk of becoming sick. But when participating in regular activity, it can help you fight off winter lurgies by improving your immune system. This time of year can be beautiful, sunrises that light up the sky in a range of colours is one reason why I choose to get up during winter bright and early. Appreciating the beauty of nature at this time of year and the benefits of being active, are both ways you can make the winter experience more pleasant. You might be cold for the first couple of minutes but once you get moving, it’s just beautiful.

 

“Appreciating the beauty of nature at this time of year and the benefits of being active, are both ways in which you can make the winter experience more pleasant.”

During the wintertime, it can actually be easier to exercise in the cooler weather. In lower temperatures, your body can regulate its temperature more effectively. You may even be able to perform exercise for longer, as you don’t have to work as hard to cool down. Throughout winter, it is important to have the right clothing when exercising outside. Having the right gear can affect your experience. Wearing waterproof shoes, gloves, beanies, tights or a waterproof jacket, can make you feel warmer and make you more comfortable. Training with a partner or friend can also make the activities more bearable. Joining a group activity such as a boot camp or a training class can also make the exercise more enjoyable and fun. You can’t downplay the social aspect of exercising, as it can be one of the “strongest motivators” for getting going.

Due to the weather being cooler, and our muscles are cooler to begin with, so it is important to ensure that a proper warm-up is completed before you begin any form of physical activity. Warm-ups should be dynamic stretches, rather than static stretches, and should be used to increase blood flow to the muscles ensuring that you reduce the risk of injury. As well as this, it’s important to stay hydrated. You might not feel as thirsty in the cold, but you’re still losing fluids through sweat. And it’s important you don’t forget your sunscreen, either.

 

“And we all know that summer bodies are made in winter”

 

When we exercise our bodies release chemicals in our brain known as dopamine and endorphins, which makes us feel happy. Now I don’t know about you, but I love to feel happy especially on a cold and dark winters day. If you feel happy and look happy you will have a positive outlook on life! And we all know that summer bodies are made in winter.

 

Winter time is the time when we often need more motivation. If you want someone to support you on your exercise journey, give Longevity Exercise Physiology Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista, Neutral Bay and Coburg, Melbourne a call on 1300 964 002.

 

Written by Annabel Bergman

 

References:

6 Tips for Staying Healthy in Winter | Precision Physio. (2022). Retrieved 22 June 2022, from https://www.precisionphysio.com.au/6-tips-for-staying-healthy-in-winter/

7 tips for staying healthy over winter. (2022). Retrieved 22 June 2022, from https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/blog/7-tips-for-staying-healthy-over-winter

Creative, B. (2022). Six tips for staying healthy this winter – Cancer Council Western Australia. Retrieved 22 June 2022, from https://www.cancerwa.asn.au/articles/news-2020/six-tips-for-staying-healthy-this-winter/