People jogging on an icy road - Image Courtesy of Pexels
It can be challenging to get through your winter workouts. There are a few reasons for this, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, the hazards that come with winter or simply not wanting to go out into the cold. As a result, you might lose out on some of your usual health benefits over the winter months. Meaning you have to work harder when you resume your usual workout in spring. So, here are some professional tips to ensure you keep up with your training.
Supplement Your Diet
As the weather gets colder, you might want to work out less. This can cause you to lose muscle. Also, because your body needs more calories to stay warm, you might not eat as well as you would normally. And since heating costs are going up a lot, this might be more than you're used to. But you can add some of the best creatine powders from www.aleanlife.com to your diet. Creatine powders help you maintain muscle mass and strength through all your workouts.
Get Through Your Winter Workouts with a Group
You can skip exercises when alone. But you are under some pressure and encouragement when in a group. People who work out together can also help each other out socially and distract each other from bad weather. He also said that it's good to make friends and hang out with people who share your interests. If you work out at home, you can join a live class remotely. These are great ways to work out in the winter without having to go out in the cold.
Make a Gym Visit Part of Your Weekly Plan
You can keep up with your goals by planning ahead. Make it a point to get dressed and go to the gym or set up your computer for a remote session early. Don't worry about anything else. The trick is to get in the zone and be enthused before you reach the gym. You can also try going straight from work like most people do. Any apprehension you have is gone once you arrive, and you can dive straight into your workout session. Don't give yourself a chance to shy away.
Plan Ahead Based on the Weather
Winter can actually give you a far better workout because you will push your body a little harder to combat the adverse weather and temperature. However, if you want to work out outside, you should check the weather report, so you know what to expect each day, whether it's snow or a cold blast. Plan the right clothes by stocking up on workout clothes for the winter, and have your gear, gym bag, and a snack ready when it's time to suit up and embrace the frosty conditions.
Exercise at Home if You Need To
Even if you don't belong to a gym, you can still work out when it's cold outside. Using only your own body weight, you can easily work out at home. You can find free workouts on YouTube that don't require any special equipment. Some of the easiest include the following exercises:
Squats are good for your lower back, stomach, and legs.
Lunges work your thighs and buttocks.
Planks work your core, back, and shoulders.
Pull-ups work your biceps, triceps, forearms, wrists, shoulders, and core.
You can work your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core with push-ups.
Also, don't forget that not going to the gym gives you more time in bed. Which is essential for combating the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder. You may need an extra hour or two during the winter, so plan your workout around your personal needs without forcing yourself.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Working out in winter often means leaving the house for an outdoor session wearing thick scarves and sweaters. Then you struggle your way out of them once your body begins to heat up. Layers are a great way to solve the problem of generally staying warm before a workout and then getting too hot once your heart rate goes up. Also, the cold bite is real, so bring a light set of gloves and a warm hat that covers your ears since they can become sore when it's colder.
Stay Aware of Winter Hazards
With the days getting shorter and the chance of snow and ice increasing, it's important to put safety first. Cyclists and motorists are dangerous, and you need to be seen to stay safe. In the United States alone, over 120,000 joggers per year are hit by cars. So, buy some clothing and shoes with reflective strips. Or buy high-visibility or reflective tape that you can stick or weave onto your jacket or backpack. And when you're riding a bike, you need front and back lights.
Wear Exercise Gear to Get Through Your Winter Workouts
Putting on your workout clothes is a good way to make sure you go to the gym or go outside to work out. Some people do this under their work clothes so they can get right into it when they're done. Or you could sleep in what you wear to work out. The idea is that you're ready to get up and go right outside to work out without stopping to think about it, which might make you hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. Or you can have your clothes ready at your bedside.
Rest and Recover Properly
When you don't take enough time to relax and recover, you feel tired and slow, which makes it hard to stay motivated. When you're done working out, give yourself a nice cup of hot cocoa and a long, hot bath with some salts to relax your sore, tired muscles. Both heat and cold can help relieve pain and tension. But it's also very important to make sure you get enough sleep, since proteins help muscles heal when you sleep and reach the N2 stage of your usual sleep cycle.
Summary
It can be quite a challenge to get through your winter workouts when it's freezing. However, you can supplement to maintain muscle mass, exercise at home, and relax for muscle recovery.
Post a Comment