1.8.16 31

Winter Workout Motivation

When it’s cold outside it can be very hard to want to go to the gym or hit up a new yoga or barre class. I am here to tell you that I feel your pain. While I do love working out and the rewards of working out, some days I would rather stay in bed where it’s warm and cozy and just say screw it!  Winter workout motivation tips can be helpful when you are having that daily struggle of finding any excuse to not go work out.

Winter-Workout-Motivation

Make a plan: Making a workout plan is a great way to start your winter workout motivation. Make a plan for how many days a week realistically you can work out. Maybe you go to the gym or a workout class four days a week. What if the other three days you used your lunch break or woke up 20 minutes earlier and just went for a walk or did some yoga at home? One of my favorite quotes is “a failure to plan is a plan to fail.” So true!

Take a friend: I love working out with friends. Especially going running or on a trail walk with friends. Not only are you exercising, but you are also spending intentional time with a friend. You aren’t using technology most likely, you aren’t scrolling through Instagram. I love having this time to catch up with a friend. You could also use a 20 minute walk around your neighborhood to call your grandparents or catch up with a long distance friend over the phone. Having a buddy will help keep you accountable.

Try something new: In 2010 I bought a Groupon for Pure Barre. I had some blog friends who had talked about Pure Barre and I was excited to try it. I was hooked! I joined immediately and have been doing barre classes for nearly six years! I saw a huge change in my body and in my mind. I felt so great and it was all because I tried something new. Groupon and deal sites in general are a great place to find deals on trying new classes. I also highly suggest checking out Classpass. It is a great service where you pay a monthly fee and can go to tons of different studios! You can try LOTS of new classes.

Add it to your to do list: Every night I make a to do list for the next day. It has every single thing I need to do that day from starting the slow cooker, to backing up my laptop, writing a blog post, and even going to the gym. Yes I add it to my to do list because I am far more motivated to go. If I see something on my to do list I know it has to get done. Sure there are days random things on the list get moved to the next day but the gym is never one of them.

Set reasonable goals: You can’t say “this year Im going to lose weight” or “this year I will go running every single day.” Those are not reasonable goals. Saying “In January I will eat healthier and try to lose 2 lbs.” Or “This year I will workout 4 days a week” are far more reasonable goals that are easy to maintain and do not set you up to fail.

Reward yourself: Is it a new workout top if you go to the gym 25 times in a month? Is it grabbing a green juice after your workout each day? Find a few treats that aren’t too pricey that you enjoy and reward yourself. I personally like getting a nonfat latte after my workouts each day. I do not drink any caffeine before so that is my reward. I also love manicures so I reward myself twice a month. ONLY however if I met my goals! If I skip an entire week of working out(which has never happened unless I had the flu) I do not get that manicure 🙂

It can be hard in to get into a good workout routine and winter workout motivation is hard to come by. We have all had those goals that go by the wayside around March 1st and say “we will try again next year!” Get some winter workout motivation and kick ass on your goals!

Leave a Comment

31 Comments

  1. Ashley wrote:

    My friend and I just started a yoga class last night and we loved it! I would have never tried one by myself so taking my friend was great!

    Published 1.8.16
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  2. Mikayla wrote:

    Working with my best friend of my sister is always fun! I’m a planner so making a game plan is essential! Love all these tips!

    Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.

    Published 1.8.16
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  3. Kristie wrote:

    I’ve been so lazy lately with the cold weather…usually in the summer I can just tie on my shoes and go for a run, but now it’s like I have to go to a class or the gym 🙁 But, you’re absolutely right that it’s doable and worth it every time. Thanks for the motivational tips!

    xo,
    Kristie
    Kristie’s Reverie

    Published 1.8.16
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  4. Kelsie wrote:

    These are great ideas! I do 9Round and it has been my saving grace- a great motivator for the unmotivated!

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  5. Great tips for motivation! I’d like to check out Pure Barre. I need to look for classes in my city. 🙂

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  6. I love everything you listed. So true and great tips! So glad you love barre – I am an instructor and just LOVE it!

    Published 1.8.16
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  7. Brittany wrote:

    I’ve heard class pass is amazing but since I’m obsessed with my studio, I’ve never tried it. When I had a friend visit from all the way in DC she used her class pass to stay on track on her workouts in my neighborhood! So cool!

    Also, I think I’m going to go for more walks. Maybe I’ll add “go for one walk a week” to my to-do list. 🙂 Thanks for the awesome tips!

    Published 1.8.16
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  8. We are clearly the same person! I thought I was the only one who would write my to-do list for the following day the night before! I always put my workout at the top of my list, so it’s staring at me in the face each morning. Then, I feel like I can’t overlook it. Definitely helps with motivation!

    Published 1.8.16
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  9. Cyndi wrote:

    Great tips! Especially the goal setting! Winter workouts are tough but doable.

    Published 1.8.16
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  10. Christy F wrote:

    These are great tips! I’ve been having a hard time getting motivated to start working out this month, so these are really helpful! Thanks for sharing!

    Published 1.8.16
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  11. I have GOT to make a plan. I have a plan for how many days/week I want to work out, but since I have been sick for the past 5 days, I haven’t gotten off my butt to follow that plan. Plus, I am not exactly sure what I want to do for a workout on the days I’m off from work. When I am at work I go for walks with the baby I nanny.

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  12. I started working out in December and I hate it! Thanks for the extra motivation today!

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  13. Leslie wrote:

    I love Barre, it’s so much has fun. I’m still trying to get motivated to go to the gym more often.

    Published 1.8.16
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  14. Cori wrote:

    Great tips! We went out of town for Christmas this year, and I fully intended on walking the trail in the park across from my inlaw’s house, but it rained the entire time we were there. I know I could have done something else, and I’m not trying to make excuses for myself, but sometimes schedules and nature work against you.

    Published 1.8.16
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  15. I need to try so many of these! I think the biggest ones for me are to set goals and take a friend. I’m so much more likely to stay committed if someone is planning to do something with me! Especially when it’s cold and all I want to do is cuddle up on the couch 😉

    Published 1.8.16
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  16. The little rewards make all the difference for me! I let myself bingewatch YouTube beauty guru videos on the spin bike if I go spin at 7 am, or I treat myself to something yummy later. All worth it!

    Coming Up Roses

    Published 1.8.16
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  17. I just got the okay from my ortho to start working out after my broken shoulder as long as I am slow and careful so this post is perfect timing

    Published 1.8.16
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  18. Amber wrote:

    Great tips! I try to jog daily–but if it gets below 32 I’m like “nope.” I need to get to the gym and try that out.

    Published 1.8.16
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  19. Michelle wrote:

    Yeah, it’s been difficult to get motivated, but once I get to the gym I feel great and so happy I did. I love the thought of a reward. My new goal is to lose five pounds then I will reward myself with new workout pants. Stay fit my friend.

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  20. For some reason I have the hardest time working out in the winter. All I want to do is hibernate. 🙂 These are great tips!

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  21. These are all solid! I do enjoy working out with a friend but my tougher work outs have to be with my fitness friends so I push myself.

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  22. Great tips! I like your ideas for rewarding yourself after your workouts 🙂

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  23. Janella wrote:

    I love this post, Winter time is such a hard time to stay motivated to do anything, All I want to do is sleep and eat in that order 3 times. lol

    Published 1.9.16
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  24. Kusum wrote:

    Amazing tips!! My workout partner is my partner in crime, dear husband! 🙂 It is so much fun to workout with others than alone, there’s more accountability.
    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

    Published 1.9.16
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  25. Keating wrote:

    Great tips! It’s so hard for me to get myself to the gym in the wintertime. I hate being out in the cold or dealing with the snow haha

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  26. It’s so important to have a plan and have a friend for motivation. This is such a great post just what I needed for the new year!

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  27. Jessica wrote:

    As a personal trainer I totally agree that having a partner is SO important!!

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  28. Great tips! I really need to go back to Barre, I do it at home with online workouts because my one class experience was intimidating. I really should give it another shot!

    Published 1.10.16
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  29. Shann Eva wrote:

    Great ideas! It was sooooo cold this morning, that I really struggled. However, I did make a plan to go, so I just did it. Planning is really key for me too. I wish I had someone to work out with, but a lot of my friends work, and I’m just too tired to go at night.

    Published 1.11.16
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  30. Madelaine wrote:

    Great ideas. Pin photos of summer destinations and insert yourself in a bikini….that might help too.

    Published 1.11.16
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  31. jen wrote:

    Excellent tips. I for one am a huge barre fan. Found a great place in Mansfield that incorporates pilates, dance, and barre (DREAM Barre and Fit). Loving the minimal pain and intense workout that the Barre method delivers. http://familydreamcenter.com/

    Published 2.13.16
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