winter blues. How do you stay motivated?

Hi everyone, I'm trying to lose 10lbs over the winter but I've found it soo hard to stay motivated when everyone else around you is eating junk food, and when you're bundled up in sweaters and coats and no one can see any extra weight anyways. Plus, the weather makes it so hard to exercise outdoors (I love going for walks and jumping on the trampoline, but I cant bring myself to do that in cold, snowy weather). Treadmills and gyms bore me, and the only thing I find myself really motivated to do is wii dance (which burns very few calories, but I do consider it a form of fitness). Its also challenging to remember your goal when you're freezing cold and just want to be a fat polar bear, lol. And numerous layers hide unwanted fat so easily, so its hard to remember you're goal when the only times you see yourself "disrobed" is when you get into the shower, and even then I'm hopping from foot to foot desperately wishing to get into the warm water because I'm so cold. I'm one of those people who is always cold, and always ends up bundled up in layers while everyone else is in t-shirts and shorts. So, my question is, how do you stay motivated in the winter? I'm thinking of picking a pair of "weight loss jeans" that are just a little too tight to wear to remind myself not to gorge and to be more active. Other than that, I'd love to hear some of your tips for the winter blues!

Replies

  • sarrah_n
    sarrah_n Posts: 192 Member
    I am interested in the responses. I packed on 15 lbs last winter and it has taken me 9 months to get 10 of it off. The short days and cold is tough.
  • I agree. I think its almost natural for people to go into "hibernation mode". Last winter I put on about 10lbs and I lost it over the summer, but I don't want to put the weight back on again.
  • jaxxie2013
    jaxxie2013 Posts: 31 Member
    Hi there,


    I have the same issue too - i have no clue how I will survive this winter. Staying away from fattening comfort food is going to be one hell of a challenge. And not fattening comfort food - is not really comforting :). My plan is to at least try and work out a couple of times a week. Even just dancing around in the basement. I've already started switching my water intake with green tea....I know that with green tea... you either like it or hate it.

    That being said, luckily we have MPF...we can all come here and vent and complain about the winter Canadian cold :)
  • haha Canadian winter's are the worst!! Definitely going to be tricky to lose weight during this season. Plus, we have thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into that too. It seems like everything is working against me!
  • spirytwynd
    spirytwynd Posts: 141 Member
    Well, it may not be what you want to hear but I gotta say, the faster you move and the harder you work out, the warmer you will be - and the more you will burn. If you like walks, bundle up and walk fast. Can you clear snow off the trampoline? Go for it! Can you pump it up to a jog or a run? More burn more warmth! If the regular parts of the gym are boring, maybe try a fitness class or a spin class. Find some new and interesting things to do and keep it fresh and novel. Maybe you can make a few new buddies to help keep it rolling and fun. Have fun and keep the heat up! :-)
  • spirytwynd
    spirytwynd Posts: 141 Member
    Ooooooo! Canadian winter? Have you considered snowshoeing or cross country skiing? I have heard they can be a heck of a workout! :-)
  • lol so true. I guess I just have to suck the cold up! Thanks for the suggestions :) And yes, you can definitely clear the snow off the trampoline. I used to do that last year, just gotten too darn lazy lately.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i sign up for a race in early spring. that helps me stay motivated. i have an olympic distance triathlon the last weekend of May that i have marked on my calander when i'm 18 weeks out from it, which is when i'm going to start preparing.
  • great idea!! A long term goal that you have to stay committed to is great :) I just have to come up with one for myself now. Thanks.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    check out the site trifind.com. it has a list of races by state, not just triathlons but 5ks and mud runs, etc. i don't know if it has canada though.
  • Great :) Thanks.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    There's me, I 'e been thinking, hopeful. Big perhaps. Same calories summer and winter... hope needing more calories to keep warm in winter, might make weight go quicker. giggle .
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Remembering the layers I am hiding behind now come off in a few months. I just bundle up and make it out.