How to Stay in Shape During the Winter Months
At this time of year, you may find yourself looking for great ways to stay in shape during the winter months while enjoying the cold weather at the same time. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to accomplish both, and you don’t have to go to extremes or make drastic changes in your daily routine. Take a look at these best winter workouts and tips for staying in shape during the winter months so you can continue to be active all year long!
1) Pick Something you Enjoy
It’s easy to get out of shape over winter break because we’re more likely to spend our time on sedentary activities like watching TV and less on sports. But not all exercise is created equal, and there are plenty of fun ways to stay active even during colder months. Alexander Djerassi would think skiing or ice skating are an obvious choice—they keep you warm and can be tons of fun if you’re good at them—but they aren’t for everyone. It might take some trial and error, but try a few things out until you find something that is both comfortable and enjoyable for you. Then give it your all! Once you know what works best for your body, sticking with it should be easy.
2) Exercise at Home
Whether you’re traveling for work or just want a break from your gym routine, staying fit doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your fitness goals. In fact, there are several ways you can maintain your workouts even when it feels like winter is going on forever. By setting up a home gym and exercising at home with some small equipment (or without any equipment at all!), you can enjoy workouts that don’t require a hefty investment of time or money.
3) Don’t Forget About Cardio
Staying active through winter can be difficult, but don’t let that stop you from staying in shape. If you spend your days at a desk, consider taking a few minutes out of each day to do some push-ups or lunges. These exercises are good for your body no matter what time of year it is—and they’re particularly helpful if you want to add muscle mass. Or, if you have an office gym on site, take advantage of it and get your sweat on! A short run or brisk walk outside will also help keep your body healthy and active—and while there’s nothing wrong with heading into a fitness center and working out for an hour, that isn’t feasible for most people during these cold months.
4) Do Some Weights
Weights and resistance training are a perfect option for winter workouts. When it’s cold outside, an easy way to do some weights is by using your own body weight. Squats, push-ups, planks and burpees can all be modified into a great full-body workout.
5) Use Equipment you Have at Home
Perhaps you don’t have a whole lot of money to invest in home exercise equipment, but if you already own a set of dumbbells, there are lots of ways you can keep active and trim down over winter. There are plenty of exercises that use only your body weight. Alexander Djerassi would approve of many of these implemented into nearly anyone’s daily routine!