Staying motivated during winter

mapsie

I first want to say I mean WINTER, winter! I live in the snow belt in Cleveland so that means lost of snow and coldass weather. I was wondering how everyone that experiences a real winter stays motivated to exercise and eat well. I like (well I don't hate, haha) running outside but that becomes impossible when it's so cold. All I want to do is sit in my warm house by the fire and hearty foods. What are some things that you guys do to stay moving and keep your goals?? I would really appreciate any suggestions! Thank you!

emilyc19

bump! i'm already feeling lazy and we have only had a little bit of snow! i live in missouri

clarkeje1

my plan is to get a kinect or wii fit by christmas and try out some video games that allow me to get off the couch and move. i think kinect has a biggest loser game and they have those dancing games. or you could get some workout dvds

sweet110

Challenges, challenges, challenges. I become a MFP forum addict from December - March. I log on, and do challenges, and try to post daily. Its a bit ridiculous, I'm sometimes doing 4 or 5 challenges at a time, but it makes it more like "a game" and increases the odds that I will stick to it. Or sign up for a class. I'm not a group fitness person, but in the throws of February, when all I really want to do is eat cookies and sleep, I have been known to put my money down on a yoga class, a zumba class, or even a good old fashioned step class.

And, although I hate gyms, I join a gym. When I'm unmotivated I can tell the treadmill *exactly* how fast I expect to go, and for how long. So really, all I have to do is get there, and the workout takes care of itself. I go to a gym where I can pay by the month, and I usually do a 3 month stint.

That's what has helped me!

SassyCalyGirl

Winter itself motivates me. It is when most people put on weight and become less active......that alone is motivation for me!

DJStewie

Setting short term goals, whether it is a faster 1 mile run, a faster 500m row, a heavier deadlift/shoulder press/bench press/etc...

I like performance based goal setting vs a weight goal, works for me better.

dalgirly

I actually really love running outside in the winter, so I usually become more active in the winter. (I don't like exercising when strangers are out and watching, some weird thing I know), so in the winter there are less people outside, and so I can get out and go. Plus they snow plow the path by my place.