Even though South African winters are relatively mild compared to those of friends and family in Europe or the United States, our days are still shorter, nights are longer, and temperatures are much lower. This combination makes it difficult to keep up with the good exercise routine you established and healthy eating habits you adopted during the summer months. It’s worth staying motivated during winter for so many reasons, most of all to stay fit and healthy.
Multiply, the wellness and rewards programme offered by Momentum, has compiled some helpful tips to assist the winter exercise sabbatical you may be considering.
Change your mind set
The weather may be colder, but this time of year is all about cosy log fires, hearty (but healthy) soups, as well as being a time of cleansing before the renewal of spring. Try getting excited about winter, rather than dreading it!
Track and log your workouts
If you haven’t downloaded an exercise-tracking application to your phone or tablet, now’s the time to do it. Tracking or logging your workouts will give you an idea of your progress, and there are few things more motivating than seeing real evidence of beating your personal bests. Some applications have community challenges too, so you can pit your efforts against people elsewhere in South Africa – and the world!
Don’t undo all your hard work
Even though the seasons may have changed, don’t change your routine. It may be more difficult to get up at 05h30 to go to gym in winter than it was in summer, but it’s going to be even more difficult to get back into the habit once you’ve broken it.
There’s a sport for all seasons
If your sport of choice is really a summer one that won’t work in our winter climate, choose a new activity that will complement your regular sport. Yoga or Pilates classes, for example, will help you build strength and endurance, and will likely support your summer sport in surprising ways. And if you want to be warm, not much beats hot Bikram yoga.
Suit up
There’s no time like the present to update your workout wardrobe! Set yourself a budget and buy new gear to keep you warm and comfortable during your training. Remind yourself that now that you’ve spent the money on the clothing, you’re obliged to put it to good use.
Phone a friend
Find friends to train with, if you haven’t already, and commit to keeping each other in check. Set goals together, and motivate one another to achieve them, whether it’s through exercising regularly or making healthy food choices.
Team sports
Take up a new sport or activity with friends. That way, exercising is as much a social activity as it is an investment in your wellness – and you’re more likely to make the effort to participate.
A meal for all seasons
Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean that it’s ok – or necessary – to eat junk food. You can still enjoy a hearty winter casserole if you skip the dumplings and chocolate pudding afterwards.
Reward yourself
If you belong to a rewards programme that gives you points for working out, set yourself a goal to move up through its status levels by tracking and logging your activity. You’ll see the benefits in discounts with the programme’s partners before long.
Spring break
Book a beach holiday for the spring to motivate you to work on that beach body through the winter.
Building and maintaining your health and wellness is a year-round investment that will yield life-long benefits. Adopting some of these tips is sure to keep the momentum you built during summer going!
