Maybe you set the alarm early with every intention of going out for a morning run, but the snooze button and the sheets win every time when you think about facing the winter weather. But all is not lost. You can still get your exercise in without freezing in the name of fitness. Ready to make the most of your winter fitness regimen? BluePrint Health invites you to read on.
Remember the Rewards
It can certainly be tempting to let your workout routine fall by the wayside in winter since bulky sweaters and cozy sweatshirts are more forgiving than skimpy swimsuits and shorts. But working out isn’t just about staying trim and toned. Regular exercise offers a wealth of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. For instance, research shows regular exercise helps prevent or control a wide variety of health concerns including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, a number of types of cancer, arthritis, and even falls.
Exercise can also help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression and may help keep them at bay in the future. That’s because it releases mood-boosting endorphins and other natural brain chemicals that increase your feelings of well-being. Physical activity can also help take your mind off your worries, build confidence, increase social interactions, and provide a positive way to deal with mental and physical health concerns including everything from obesity to addiction.
In fact, when seeking therapy for substance use, many counselors also recommend pursuing a physical wellness plan to combat not only the physical effects of substance use but also to promote the general well-being of patients. So, regardless of your current conditions and concerns, physical activity can boost your body, mind, and spirit all year long.
Indoor Exercise Inspiration
Winter weather can make outdoor workouts impractical or impossible for even the most devoted fitness fanatics. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to work up a sweat inside. Here are some tips for staying fit and focused this season.
If your budget allows, consider enrolling in a class that will keep you motivated. For instance, many gyms and trainers move boot camp classes indoors in cold weather. But these sessions still torch calories with cardio and strength training intervals. Or maybe you can sign up for a session to try something you’ve never done before. Pre-paying for a pack of cardio dance, kickboxing, or spin classes will also motivate you to attend even on the coldest days rather than let your fitness funds go to waste.
At-Home Alternatives
If you prefer the privacy of exercising on your own or don’t want to spend much money, there are several ways to exercise on the cheap at home. For instance, jumping rope provides a great cardio workout. Burpees, stair climbing, jumping jacks, and mountain climbers will also get your heart pumping. And you can integrate intervals of push-ups, tricep dips, crunches, planks, lunges, and squats, according to ACTIVE.
If you invest in a set of dumbbells, you can add exercises like bicep curls and overhead presses to give yourself a full workout with a minimal investment in gear. When you want to build a bigger home gym, look to sites like Craigslist for deals on weight benches, racks and other types of equipment. If you need help moving furniture or something especially heavy like a treadmill, don’t risk injury, and instead, turn to local professionals to help. Simply search for furniture movers near you through an online directory, and then use ratings to make your choice.
To mix up your moves, try exercise DVDs or online videos. If you don’t want to spend any money, local libraries offer options, and the internet also provides plenty of free content. For instance, the Fitness Blender site offers free full-length workouts to fit any fitness routine. You can select the difficulty level, body area focus, training type (styles include yoga, strength training, and cardio, to name a few), the equipment you have on hand, and even whether you want a male, female, or mixed-gender training team.
Whether you choose to exercise in the gym or in the comfort of your own home, it’s important to stay active all year for your physical and mental well-being. And having a better body come summer is a nice bonus benefit.