Did you find it harder to motivate yourself to work out in winter? Don’t worry. You are not alone. Many people lose their motivation to exercise when it’s so cold and miserable outside. After a long winter and another wave of COVID, spring is finally in the air. It means only one thing: it’s about time to do some exercises and get in better shape. Here are some tips on working out and sticking to your fitness routine.

What Is Your Goal?

It’s no secret that exercising is good for your health. However, to stay on track with your goal, you need to be more specific about what you want. Is your plan to gain muscles and build up your stamina? Or maybe you gained a few kilos after two years of the pandemic, and you want to get rid of them? Are you looking for different ways to cope with stress? Understanding why you need to start working out will help you stick to your exercise routine. Once you get going, remind yourself of all the good things you can achieve, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Exercising Should Be Enjoyable

Have you ever quit going to the gym after a month of exercising? Was it an enjoyable experience? Probably not. Many people associate working out with going to a crowded gym and lifting weights twice a week. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way unless you love going to the gym. Think about a physical activity that is fun and engaging for you. Do you like cycling? Have you ever taken dance classes? When was the last time you went to a swimming pool? There’s plenty to choose from. You are more likely to stick with an enjoyable and rewarding activity.

Take It Slow

One of the main reasons people quit working out is that they demand too much from themselves. They start working out every day without fail or have super intense sessions right at the start, which puts them under a lot of stress. There’s no need to rush. Kick it off with some simple workouts and see how your body responds to them. Get used to having sore muscles and start making small goals every week. You can have 30-minute morning sessions at home or walk 10,000 steps a day for three days. Once you feel more confident, you can move on to the next challenge. Just take it one step at a time and enjoy it.

Make It Easier For Yourself

Are you full of beans in the mornings or the evenings? If you are an early bird, you should stick with morning workout sessions. There’s no need to push yourself to exercise in the evenings when you are dead on your feet after work. Decisions like “should I exercise now or not” should be made quickly. It might be a good idea to change your environment – this can nudge you to work out. For instance, you can put your favorite sports clothes and a fitness mat next to your bed, so it’s the first thing you see the following day. Once you spot them after waking up, you are all set for a great workout, done and dusted.

Come Up With a Workout Plan

If you find it hard to pick the right exercises for your gym session, you need to design a plan. Keeping fit will be way more manageable when you have a well-thought-out program. It will save you both time and energy. Let’s take a look at this example. Your weekly workout routine should consist of exercises to build or maintain muscles. Each session will involve 5-8 activities combining upper and lower exercises. Once you complete the first circuit of 5-8 exercises, you should take a short 2-minute break and then repeat it 2-3 times, depending on how you’re feeling. Doing three 30-minute sessions per week is a great start. On top of that, it might be worth adding aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming to burn calories at least twice a week. Don’t forget to carve out some time for your body to rest and recover.

Track Your Progress

Keeping track of your progress is of utmost importance. It will help you to stay motivated and continue working out. Let’s look at three different ways you can track your progress. First and foremost, take measurements of your waist, arms, thighs, and hips. Repeat this every four weeks and see how your body is changing. Secondly, take photos. There’s no need to post them on social media or share them with your friends. Taking full-body photos every four weeks is a great way to spot the progress you’ve made visually.

At the same time, please remember that there’s no need to step on the scales every day. Don’t allow yourself to get obsessed with numbers. Weigh yourself 2-3 times a month before eating or doing your morning workout and see how your weight changes.

Reward Yourself

Rewarding yourself after working out will help you stay on track with your goals. Why not treat yourself to an episode of your favorite TV show or a mouth-watering meal after an intense workout? Sounds good, right? You need something to look forward to. For instance, after a month of exercising, get yourself new workout clothes or shoes. New sports gear will boost your motivation and encourage you to reach higher results.

Developing a habit of exercising regularly might be tricky at first, but you shouldn’t give up. With patience and determination, you can build a workout routine that will help you get in better shape and stay healthier. Just take it one step at a time, and don’t forget that hard work pays off.