Keep on Moving: Motivation for the Winter Season

When the days grow shorter and darker, it can be challenging to find the motivation to exercise. Particularly when it’s cold and rainy outside, most of us prefer to stay in. So how can you stick to your workout routine through the winter?

Keep on Moving: Motivation for the Winter Season

Find your Inner Motivation

It can sometimes be hard for us to stay active in winter. Even a fitness club membership (including the monthly rate you pay) doesn’t always inspire you to make the most of it. So, think about your inner motivation: why do you exercise? Maybe it’s because you feel good after each workout, you notice that your condition improves, and your legs feel better when you get up and move. Regular exercise can also help to reduce stress and to maintain weight. Your inner motivation drives you and makes it easier to stick with your goals.

Set the Right Conditions

If you want to continue exercising outside, the right gear is essential. Make sure that you wear gloves, a hat or headband, and add reflectors to your shirt or trousers. A proper warmup to prevent muscle injuries is especially important when it’s cold out. If possible, agree on fixed dates for your training with a friend or family member.

Find Alternatives

Does outdoor training in the dark and cold still seem entirely impossible for you? Then be creative and find alternative ways to train indoors. Maybe this is the perfect time for indoor swimming? Try a new fitness class at the gym, or choose one of the many online fitness courses that are now available. In addition, try to be as active as possible throughout the day. Go out for a walk during the lunch break, do some yoga before you start work or take the stairs instead of an elevator. If the darkness is a particular problem for you, consider doing your workout over your lunch break instead.

Want to know more about the role of exercise in managing lymphoedema and lipoedema? Click here to read more about training, nutrition and weight management.

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