It’s the time of year when people are trying to either get into fitness routine or get back to their fitness routine. It’s hard to feel motivated to get out and pound pavement on a morning run if it’s cold, dark and dreary. So as the seasons change, it might be time to rev up or shift your activities on a seasonal level.
If you’re wondering how, let’s talk about that.
The holidays are a pain in the fitness area because time becomes limited. Mornings and evenings are cold and dark. It’s sometimes easier to consider skipping a workout than try to make yourself go out into the dreary day. It’s discouraging enough to make even the most regular fitness enthusiast struggle to get in their workouts and alleviate the guilt they feel when they skip them.
So what are the options for a seasonal shift?
Try something new. If you’re a runner and you love running, but the weather is just always against you. Pick up a Yoga tape; try a good solid morning stretch. No, it’s not the cardio pounding, cement eating up workout of a run, but it’s different enough to hold your interest and work out your body on a different level.
Set a Goal for the new season. If it’s the time after Christmas and you’re thinking you want to play some sports this summer, consider what you need to do to get in shape for that sport and do that. Maybe you want to try your luck at the Breast Cancer Walk for Life or a marathon. Fitness experts agree that when you are working towards an achievable objective, you are more motivated to ‘make it to’ your workouts.
Make yourself accountable. Get a fitness buddy to either join you in your new workout or accompany you on your old one. Not sure how to do it? Offer to be the support for someone in your family or a friend who wants to workout but never seems to have his or her own motivation. You can help them while they help you.
Take up a seasonal sport. Instead of running, try to ski two or three times a week. Yes, that’s easier than it sounds. But what about ice-skating in the winter and roller blading in the summer? If you’ve never done either before, invest in a few lessons. You work different muscles and it’s a challenge.
Be a kid again. Do you remember what you loved to do when you were a kid? Try a ballet class or buy a bike and go riding all over the place. Take your kids to the park and don’t just sit on the bench, get out there and play with them. Take on the monkey bars and the swings.
Have fun. Have you ever been rock climbing? What about dancing? What about karate? T’ai chi?
Make your fitness seasonal. Shake it up every three to four months. You’ll reduce your level of boredom and at the same time accommodate your shifting schedule to match your kids, the weather and a little thing called life.