Winter tips: Exercise winter away; keep fit and warm!
Don’t hibernate, invigorate! Most of people are inactive during winter months, and we commonly break our eating and exercise routines. The lovely Rustenburg cooler weather and shorter daylight hours can make the TV and armchair an attractive option, making us couch potatoes.
Don’t use the weather as an excuse to give up your active lifestyle, so get moving!
Think of exercise as an opportunity, not an inconvenience, a positive mind-set will take you a long way. If you begin your new workout routine with a negative attitude toward exercise, itself, you will not be able to work out regularly. Remind yourself that exercise can be fun. Also consider an exercise partner you’ll get active with and help each other stay motivated.
Break your routines into shards, divide your workout into 5-10 minute segments, each with a different focus. By changing every five or ten minutes, you get assortment of exercise and the workout will be much easier. Mix up your exercise program by adding a game of sport. Almost every sport can be played indoors, so get a team together and warm up.
Make yourself feel good – physically and emotionally. Rustenburg has very chilled weather, the fresh morning and afternoon breeze will benefit you, not only physically but also both emotionally and mentally, so take advantage of it. Go for a walk, run, or start a team of ladies to keep your bodies warm and in shape. It is important to remember that you exercise not to torture yourself, but to make yourself feel good. So, do things that you enjoy. For example, yoga is a wonderful way to cleanse your mind and become fit at the same time. Alternatively, join a netball league, and forget that you are actually exercising while having a great time!
Don’t just workout at the gym, it doesn’t matter if you can’t afford a gym membership. Everyday opportunities like climbing stairs instead of taking escalators provide a natural indoor workout, so step it up whenever possible. Anything that makes your heart beat faster, and your body use oxygen more rapidly is a form of cardiovascular exercise. So, do not let anything discourage you from your ultimate fitness goals.
Set some realistic winter goals, and reward yourself as you achieve them. Set a target for the end of winter and beat the pre-summer fitness rush! Before you actually begin your new workout routine, set a goal for yourself. What exactly do you want to achieve i.e. weight loss, toning, and maintenance? Once you know what your aim is, it’ll be much easier to keep yourself focused and on track.
Don’t overwhelm yourself if you are new to exercising. Try to stick to one small physical goal, and keep a list of objectives. When you set realistic expectations for yourself, you will be able to obtain them. Then, you may work on the more difficult objectives. It’s that simple. If you are considering joining a gym, many gyms have personal trainers available to help you set a goal for yourself. If you are uncertain about what you want to achieve, or even how to physically do so, personal trainers are key to improving your mindset. They will give you that extra push that you sometimes need to remain focused.
Get wet – Find your local heated indoor pool. Try swimming, water aerobics, or even just walking or running laps in the water. These activities work your whole body and are gentle on joints, thus reducing the risk of injury. Moreover, you don’t need to worry about the smell of hot sweaty armpits afterwards.
Workout tips to remember:
- Thorough warm-ups prior to your exercise are essential. Cold temperatures can make your muscles tight and prone to injury.
- If you prefer exercising outdoors, wear layers of clothing to insulate your body. Layering provides the most effective heating method and allows you to remove the top layer if you can’t bare the heat.
- As in summer, it’s equally important to stay hydrated when exercising in winter. You don’t have to feel thirsty to drink water, drink plenty of water to detox your body from toxins.
- You can still be burnt in winter; the sun in Rustenburg can be harsh on your skin, so wear sunscreen. If you are exercising outdoors, then ‘slip, slop and slap’!
Article by Tshireletso Malapile