Summer Bodies are Made in Winter

by Jen Alexander (subscribe)

Are you finding it more difficult to get motivated to exercise? The thought of getting up in the dark leaving you cold?

Well, you know that they say Summer Bodies are Made in Winter.

Here are a few tips to make the early rise easier:

1. Plan your week in advanced.
Make a list of what activities you want to do and when. Make yourself a calendar and tick off every session you commit to. The satisfaction of saying YES I did that is much better than the regret of not going.

2. Find a training buddy
I know it is much harder to cancel on someone else. Find yourself someone who can a) give you a lift b) go running with you c) somehow get you out of bed! d) hire a personal trainer - you won't want to waste your money.

3. Prepare Prepare Prepare
Do as much as you can the night before so all you need to do is roll out of bed and go on auto pilot. Lay your clothes out (right down to shoes and socks), pre prepare any food or drinks you have before you go, set your alarm somewhere that you have to get up to turn off - all these little steps make it that little easier in the morning.

4. Reward and Recognise
When you hit a milestone - be in number of completed sessions, lack of missed sessions, drop in dress size/body fat/weight, increase in muscle etc etc reward yourself - NOT with food, but with something pampering: a massage, facial, new gym gear/shoes/sneakers/socks, a new book ... whatever makes your heart sing.


And, in these cooler months try not to get loaded down with comfort food... well, not of the unhealthy variety. There are plenty of good food choices that still makes us feel content - go for soups and stews (hold the cream), dark chocolate, herbal teas with honey ... all in the aim to create that Summer Body you are dreaming of.


I'd love to hear your tips on staying motivated in Winter...

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Why? Staying Motivated in Winter