Winter hits us hard in more ways than just the cold. After the holidays we’re all battling the blues in one way or another and some people handle it better than others, especially if you’re not having to combat the elements to make it to a workout class. While there are dozens of articles on how to stay motivated with your workout regimen during the winter months and some of these tips are more of a “duh”, I wanted to share what helps me stay motivated and gets me excited to workout too! So just how do you stay motivated in the winter when all you want to do is hibernate?
Be prepared//
Be prepared//
If you’re going to work out in the morning, set your clothes out the night before so that you don’t have to do any thinking when you wake up, bonus points if you can sleep in half of your workout gear. You won’t have as many excuses if you’re all packed and ready to go first thing in the morning. Not a morning person, don’t worry about it! Schedule the workouts like you schedule meetings or drinks with friends, you wouldn’t bail on them so don’t bail on yourself!! Pack everything you need for the gym to make it during lunch or after work. Tip: trynot to go home after work or school because you’re more likely to talk yourself out of a workout once you’re already home! Trust me, I’ve done it more times than I care to admit! This is part of the reason the gym is closer to my job then my house!
Set a goal//
Set a goal//
This doesn’t mean a weight goal, unless that’s what your objective is. What I mean is setting a goal for the number of times you want to make it to a class or the gym in a week. Be realistic with yourself since overdoing it will only cause you to want to quit before you’ve even made it to February. If you’re an avid class taker, keep it up and maybe amp it up to one more class a week so that you feel like you’re improving. Having a fitness tracker is also a great way to stay motivated. MyFitFlexis buzzing to let me know that I’ve hit my 10,000 step goal or even exceeded it. P.S. If you have a fitbit or fit flex connect with me! If you don’t have a tracking device no worries, you can use theHumanor Health App to ensure you’re meeting your goals!
Switch it up//
Switch it up//
One of the fastest ways for me to lose interest in working out in the winter is the boredom of doing the same thing day in and day out, which is why I’ve been venturing out of my comfort zone with spinning classes. I personally love a great cardio and weight training class and need to have at least three of these week to feel like I’m actually making progress. I’ve been using Class Pass for the past two weeks and loving it (review coming soon)! The added bonus is that I’m no longer tied to my gyms’ class schedule – I now have access to tons of gyms and that means so many more class times and class varieties. While my goal of getting to the gym 4-5 days a week is great, sometimes it’s not a reality and YouTube is my best friend!! I mostly stick to the Tone It Up girls, but if you have any other suggestions let me know!
Get a new outfit//
Get a new outfit//
Hover over the image to see price and store
When all else fails new workout gear is always a great motivator. Something as little as feeling excited about what you’re wearing to the gym is enough to get you there! I read in this month’s Shape that formfitting clothes make you feel like your muscles are stronger because you feel them moving more. Just one new workout top or sneakers that you obviously have to break in are the perfect reason to get moving! While this isn’t necessarily part of my gym outfit, I did buy this water bottle and I love it! Also, just bought the Old Navy pants above since they were on mega sale!!
Make it a group thing//
Make it a group thing//
Working out alone can be hard, especially if you’re a people person! Fitness classes are all the rage because of that exact reason. All the people in the class are after the same thing, working out while having someone else coming up with the routine, providing the music and being your motivation to get you through that 45 minutes to an hour you’re looking to de-stress!! I speak from experience when I say that no one in there is looking at what you’re doing or if you look silly with your leg pointed that way, we are all so focused on our form and our workout we aren’t paying attention!
How do you stay motivated to workout during the colder months? Do you have a favorite group fitness class?
Linking up with Natalie and Annie
xo,
I agree with all of these! Each one makes it just a little bit (and sometimes a lot) easier to get, and stay, motivated!!
These are great tips! I'm definitely all about buying up cute workout gear to stay motivated, that's for sure! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
B!!! These are such great tips. I really want to get back into spinning classes – I used to do them in college but haven't since then. Yikes! And I agree 100% with the new outfit and not going home first – those are two huge motivators for me!! Now, I just need basketball season to end so I can have my life back! Happy Thursday, friend!
I just started switching up my workouts and it helps so much in the motivation department!
Thank you for the motivation! This post helps to keep me going. I'm not a morning person, so morning workouts are out of the question. …and a lot of times I had some excuses why I couldn't do it in the evening. I got into a habit of not going to sleep until I check it off my list, which means sometimes cards at 10PM, but hey I sleep like a baby!
Red Reticule
great tips!! i just bought two more long sleeve tops for the gym! i cant wait for them to come in the mail 🙂 xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Oh girl, preparation is KEY in the winter. You can't just throw on a tank and shorts you need lots more at the gym. BRRRRR the cold. Setting a goal is key too, summer bodies are built in the winter!
Great tips! I usually work out during my lunch break at work which is perfect for me as I'm not a morning person, and after work all I want to do is go home and relax. My job provides yoga twice a week at lunch (which is fabulous!), and I supplement the other days by going to Barre3 or Bar Method. On the weekends, I try to ride my bike or do a quick Jillian Michaels DVD at home. I also pack my gym bag the night before so it's ready to just grab on my way out the door to work in the morning. Having the clothes ready and with me gives me no excuse to go and get my sweat on 🙂
I have a gym in my basement so that helps me when I don't feeling like braving the cold to get to the gym. Workout clothes always make me step it up too. Let me know what email you use for your fitbit and I'll add you.
I seriously need to get back to the gym… I've taken like 3 weeks off now and it's killing me. I'm totally motivated to go until my 45 min drive home then knowing to get to the closest gym to me I have to drive another 15-20 mins past my house. I need to get my butt back to the gym soon though…too many cute gym clothes you just posted that I need an excuse to buy!
Great tips!! It is so much harder to work out in cold weather, but new workout clothes are ALWAYS motivating for me!! And a good am workout to get the day started!
So hard to workout when it's cold knowing what you are walking outside to! I totally agree a new outfit always helps! I liked Christinas idea this week as well about laying all your gym outfits for the week…definitely leads you to extra accountability!
i started doing muay thai with my friends and it's been non-stop awesomeness since day 1. i usually don't workout in a group setting mainly because i'm a total gym snob and think that working out with friends is too distracting but this is way different. we push each other to punch harder, kick faster and it's amazing.
now all i want to do is muay thai, not lift!
These are fantastic motivators! Ryan and I have yet to signup at our new local gym, so I probably should get on that. In my defense, moving and hauling boxes the past month have been a pretty damn good workout!
ClassPass is such a great idea and I’m so glad it finally came to Atlanta! I worked out to a TIU video the other day and was so sore the next day. They’re hard!!
This is exactly what I needed to read today because I have not done ANY exercise at all since moving!! So bad and I'm definitely feeling all of that holiday food I indulged in, ha! It's time to find a gym 😉
These are all such great tips! I'm the worst in the winter time! But I really need to get back into it! All of those gym clothes are so cute!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
My favorite is the new outfit! Love getting new workout clothes! 🙂
I am trying my hardest to get back into the swing of things. Hopped on the scale on Tuesday and didn't love what I saw! It is sooo hard sometimes — but I definitely feel better when I make it a habit! Thanks for this post!!
xo Southern Style
These are such great tips. It's so funny but a new outfit really does help make you want to go work out.
prosecco in the park
being prepared – setting my stuff out or writing my workouts down are absolutely the most helpful things for me. i wish there was a group or something i could join but it doesn't really work for me or my schedule. love this post girl!
Getting new workout clothes isn't always in the budget, but it always helps me stay motivated 😉 Totally agree about group classes too. I mostly prefer to work out alone and outside, but I used to go to spin class during the winter when I couldn't ride my bike outside and I loved it.
Great post lady! Thanks for sharing! It can be SO hard during the winter to go to the gym, but I think that it's a good way to cure the winter blahs and increase your energy. I have started to incorporate some things that I learned from my sister's trainer which has helped make my workout less boring, and yesterday I did the bike instead of the elliptical. New outfits and changing at work help too!! 🙂 Hope that you're having a good day so far!!
Love it! "Summer bodies are made in winter!" Cheers to that! xx
Great tips, but I'm still helpless lazy ass, so It won't work on me!
xx Furore Editor
P.S.Win amazing stylish bag named Gandalf
I've just started T25 home workout to get toned. If I'll go to gym now I'll die)))
Hopefully next month it will be a gym month for me)
Tanya
stripesnvibes.com
BlogLovin
MFD and I are doing co-motivation right now!
Great tips Biana! I feel like the fact that Dustin and I workout together is something that helps us each stay motivated, we push each other, out the door sometimes 😉 I also really enjoy group classes like Pure Barre or even a boot camp here and there. Good workout clothes are a great motivator too!
Getting a new outfit usually does it for me! lol.. It's funny how our brains work sometimes. 😉 – domesticgeekgirl.com
I need to step up my workout game. I walk past my gym on my way home after work, that makes it pretty hard to make any excuses.
I've been really trying to stay motivated!! Always have a bag with me the days I go to the gym so I can change and go straight from work. And I even got an at-home routine for the nights I can't make it to the gym because of class. Bikini season, here we come! 😉
Definitely needed this!!!
New outfits definitely help, now I just need to remember to pack my gym bag!
-Lauren
prettypiecesblog.com
Great tips!! My dog is my trainer and she makes me get my ass out there every day haha I find that scheduling in yoga helps me stick to it because I already have a time designated for it, so I might as well do it. I like the idea of getting a new workout outfit!
Definitely needed these tips- I've been absolutely awful about working out lately! But I need to get back in the swing of things and incorporate some of these suggestions!
lovejoanna.com
A new outfit helps me sooo much and yes packing the night before as well!!
New outfits make everything better 🙂
I need to get back into the habit… its been tough getting kick started again.
Love those workout pants, i live in them! Great motivational post, I need to get in the gym!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
All great ways to stay on track. I love having a new outfit or pair of shoes to get started.
These are such great tips! I'm definitely motivated by cute new workout clothes! And I totally agree about wearing more form fitting clothes, I definitely feel like I can see and feel my muscles working more! When I work out at home (so only me and the hubby can see!) I usually just wear a sports bra and shorts or leggings, something about being able to see my ab muscles working! And yes to group workouts and classes, that makes a HUGE difference for me!
New clothes always keep me motivated. I love switching up my workouts too! I'm actually more motivated in the winter to workout, mostly because I hate being hot, and it's always so dang hot in the summer. 🙂
I 100% agree with the new outfit part! I always feel more confident and motivated to get a cute new look and go show is off while sweating my butt off!
Would love if you could pop over and enter my giveaway today!
Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins
These are all great tips!! I definitely know that going home after work definitely apmakes it harder to go back out in the cold… Which is why my T25 videos are my go-to workouts when I just don't want to go outside. I also love that our condo in Charlotte has a gym in the building so all I have to do is go down the elevator. Can't make many excuses for that one!! Xo
I love the new outfit part 😉 I have not been good at maintaining my workout routine this year, not sure what that says for the rest of the year haha.
xx,
La Joie de Vivre
Okay, you and Maggie have me convinced I need to kick things into gear! I'm so much more an outdoors person so working out in the winter is such a drag! But, maybe I need to get a cute new outfit to get myself motivated! Thanks for the inspo Biana!
taffetaandtulips.com
I'm totally in agreement with you about the group one. When I was a member of Lucille Roberts, I was way more likely to go to the classes because it was more fun amongst a group. If I was just going to rock the elliptical, I would have to bring my girlfriend for back up. haha
These are great tips! New work out clothes dont really inspire me anymore bc I work out at home so it doesnt matter what I wear, but I used to get super excited about them!!
Wonderful tips! Love them all. I would add put on a sports bra first thing in the morning if you're a morning workout person.
*HOPING* my new kicks that arrive today will be just the motivator I need. That, and that I'll finally not be too sore after squats two days ago haha. Great tips!
Great post! These are really awesome tips!
~Ashley @ A Cte Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
these are great tips! i love to sleep in my sports bra and stuff to just throw the rest on before i go to the gym in the morning. or if it's after, packing a bag is the way to go. can't go home first or i'll never go! great article, chica 🙂
cheshirekatblog.com
Great tips Biana! Switching it up is my number one motivator…I get so bored with the same routine!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
It's so hard to stay motivated for sure. For me, right now, I only have one set of "winter" running gear. But I've been surprisingly good about making sure it's washed in time for my run every other day–which only pushes me to actually do the run because my thought is "well why did you bother to do the laundry then if you weren't going to use it?" 🙂
This list is great! I love the new outfit one – that one really does inspire me if I know I get to look cute and wear new things!
madeintheshadeblog.com
Fab tips. Setting goals is definitely a good one. It helps keeps you motivated and you can set it higher once you reach your goal(s) too! =)
xo,
nancy
adoretoadorn.com
I agree with all of these! I got a FitFlex after the holidays and I love it! I will go friend you 🙂 also what is ClassPass?
Great post! Staying motivated can be tricky…but so worth the results!
-Morgan
California To Carolina
The Gym Bunny
LOVE these tips! I wish we could be workout buddies!
I'm super excited to be moving down to AZ just for the fact that it opens so many doors for me, workout wise! I have no doubt that I will FINALLY be able to find a barre class, yay! I think I'll even pick up swimming. I swear, there is no harder workout for me than swimming laps!
I love running for because of the results it gives me body- I have never been more in shape than this last year and a half (once I got rid of baby weight and squish… so fun (not) but SO worth it!) which I never thought would be possible after having a baby! But I ran 5-6 days a week the first year after having Mia (as well as the occasional spin class and Jillian Michaels DVDs) then I started hitting the gym for weights and more classes this last year, but I've always stuck with running! I just wish I had a running buddy all the time, definitely makes the runs go by faster!!
Great tips, I agree with all of these! Some days, if I didn't have my running clothes out and ready for me to basically just slip into, I would never get out there at all!
Thank you so, so much for the tips!! I was going to go running last night with the boyfriend but unfortunately it was voggy (yes that's not a typo) and there was no way I was going to run. Now that I think of it, maybe I'll just suck it up next time around!!
I love this! I've been doing great at staying motivated though and I'm just hoping that it continues.
Corinne x
skinnedcartree.com
Love the outfit idea. I'm pretty sure if I had those sequin lululemon leggings I could do my barre video at least 3 times a week lol. It's tough for me Bc if I don't do my workout first thing in the am it won't happen when the kids are up. Xo
Goal and the right new sport outfit totally make the difference!;)
Oly | TLV Birdie Blog
tlvbirdie.com
I have been packing my running clothes for work and I go run as soon as I'm done. It has made a world of difference with my motivation. Love the outfit tips too! 🙂 xo
Love all of these! I totally totally agree on getting a new outfit or something new to wear while working out. I love Gap workout clothes. They are my absolute favorite, so good pick my friend. I hope you are staying motivated through this yucky winter weather!
I always fail at number one and then it throws off everything else! I think I'm going to look for some new clothes this weekend to help motivate me to make working out a daily thing- loved this post!
I need to get motivated PERIOD. Getting engaged was definitely a push in the right direction. I don't want to look like a different person up at the altar but I'd like to feel confident and fit!
So I've been in a hole for the last week, swamped with work, and all of this resonated loud and clear with me this morning… lol, i'm definitely guilty of the "go home, talk yourself out of a workout." The last piece of advice (that I should take) is…. if you aren't a super early morning workout person, don't schedule one. You'll talk yourself out of it for a myriad of reasons and be sorry later. I definitely have paid a lot of late cancellation/no show fees while trying to convince myself I will go to the super early workout class that I have no intention of going to when it's cold, dark, and below freezing outside lol
Thanks for the helpful tips! I am all about the "get a new outfit" one. Just ordered some cute things from Old Navy ;-). Hopefully it will motivate me to go to the gym!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
I wish any/all of these things would keep me motivated in the winter months! Especially this winter being pregnant! There are so many days I should have worked out but just didn't want to cold into our cold exercise room in the basement!