The alarm goes off and all you see is dark.
It’s normal to want to roll back over, to stay warm and cozy. Some days the extra sleep is needed, but if you get into this pattern, then the morning workouts stop and more than likely you won’t go out at night because you will have one hundred excuses for why you can’t. Here are my tips for beating the dark, cold, rainy weather this season and still making sure you get those steps in. The kids are headed back to school, the schedules might be a bit fuller than they were in the summer, don’t forget about yourself. Make sure to pencil yourself on the calendar.
- Go to sleep earlier – if you are finding it hard to get going in the morning, then go to bed a bit earlier. This will at least give you an extra boost for those dark mornings. Tell your spouse, child, or friend your goal so they can keep you accountable.
- Find a buddy – if you struggle more in the fall and winter months to work out – see if you can find someone who will meet you regularly to walk or run. You could sign up for a class at your local recreation centre. This will encourage you to commit to yourself and get your workouts in on those harder rainy nights.
- Set a goal and reward yourself – if you move 4 days a week, reward yourself with your favourite warm drink on the weekend.
- Be flexible – if your schedule is flexible, then wait until it’s light and then do your morning walk. Be consistent.
- Find trails, and walk laps while your children are at practice around the field. After school drop off you can plan to walk with a friend at the school. Take walk breaks at lunch with coworkers.
These are just a few ways you can incorporate fitness into your life in these fall months that seem to be a lot harder for some.
MaryAnna xo
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MaryAnna Robbins CSEP-CPT, OFC RHEP – Group Exercise, Resistance Trainer, Yoga Fitness, Pilates Mat Fitness
