After a few brief glimpses of the sun, it's sad to say that the summer is drawing to an all too abrupt close. And with that, peoples' motivation for fitness seems to be dwindling just as quickly as the UK summertime.
We've already looked at how to stay fit in the summer, but how do you stay motivated when the temperatures begin to cool down? Now that it's almost time to put the bikinis and swim shorts away for another year, it's all too tempting to let the healthy eating and exercise slip by the wayside. However, staying fit and healthy all year around is they key to feeling good and will ensure that you don't find yourself crash dieting next time the sun sneaks out from behind the overly grey UK skyline.
We've all heard the saying that 'summer bodies are made in winter', so how can you keep your motivation pumped when the temperatures start to plummet? We explore the best ways to keep yourself motivated as we start to move away from summer.
Break the rut
A new season is the perfect time to change up your exercise regime. If you can't think of anything worse than running in the rain, consider signing up to classes in your local gym. The more you enjoy your exercise plan, the more likely you are to stick to it and retain your motivation. Also, as the daylight hours start to change, it can be worth reconsidering the time of day that you exercise. If you'd rather exercise in the light, it could be better to move your workout time to a morning session.
Set a goal
At the beginning of the year, everyone has the "new year, new me" mindset to propel them into gear. In spring, the thought of getting into swimwear is usually more than enough motivation for this mindset to continue. Alas, as autumn starts creeping in it's all too easy to lose motivation purely because we have nothing to work towards. Consider booking onto a charity run or obstacle course to give yourself an end goal to focus on.
Get enough sleep
If you're going to be exercising regularly, you'll need a healthy sleeping schedule. A lot of people don't realise the importance of sleep and how this can impact your physical performance. If you're not getting enough sleep, your body doesn't have enough time to repair itself or to release key hormones. As such, sleep deprivation naturally increase the risk of fatigue, low energy and poor focus. You should aim to get 8 hours of high quality sleep each night to ensure you're at peak performance for training.
Overhaul your diet
As the weather starts to change, it's only natural that our diets will alter as well. When it gets colder, nobody wants to be living off cold salads. We tend to eat heartier, richer meals as it gets cold, and whilst there's nothing wrong with this, it can lead to bloating which will only further decrease your desire to exercise. Remember, you can't out train a bad diet, so whilst it's fine to change your diet as the season changes, you should remain conscious as to what you're putting in your body if you want to maintain your physical performance and shape.
If you want to discuss your health and fitness levels, get in touch today.