The clocks have gone back and the temperatures have plummeted, but that doesn't mean you call time on exercise, especially training outdoors, until spring breaks.
Part of what makes an exercise regimen so crucial is that it forges discipline and resilience, both physical and mental, within you.
This resilience is challenged in the winter months. Waking up in the dark and bundling up against the icy air for a morning run or just to get to that fitness class is a test, but if you can do it, and on a regular basis, it becomes a powerful habit, engendering a strength of mind which will help you with all kind of battles in your life.
The key thing is habit here. Don't get up early one morning for a run and then feel so good about yourself you take the next few days off. Drill in this behaviour. It's said a habit needs 90 days to be fully ingrained so it becomes instinctive to the body. Well, there's your winter! Build that fitness discipline this season and and you'll be primed to really make the most of spring and summer - you'll be far better off than those hyggah hibernators!
Training in winter not only benefits your mental strength, it also has scientifically proven physical advantages. It increases blood flow and circulation to all your body's arteries and veins, so the body warms itself up. You will also burn more energy and fat stores, due to more energy being required to heat up the body's core temperature. You'll also give your resting metabolism an even greater boost so your fat burning period will be extended way after exercising.
Many people get struck down by colds and bugs during the winter months, but keeping a winter workout regime going means you are testing and thus strengthening your immune system. Breathing in the cool, crisp air on those winter runs or bootcamp circuits is also going to improve your cardiovascular system.
There is also one last key factor. Winter is beautiful. Running across crackling, frost covered terrain with that crop, cool air and your breath fuming around you. It's wonderful to be alive in those moments and you'll be rewarded for making the decision to get out there in nature in winter. Think you may have the winter blues? Here's the cure. Your mood will skyrocket.
If you want someone to design a winter workout regime for you and be there on those cold morning starts to give you that bit of encouragement you need, I'm here for you.
At Mark Of Fitness we love to get outside to train. As long as you're dressed appropriately, the weather is no obstacle to a good workout.
I can tailor a workout programme for you that will keep you strong, slim and full of energy through the winter months...and you'll have a great time doing it.
Get in touch here at the website, Facebook at @mymarkoffitness or email markoffitness.org
