De-Motivated by Winter?

The cold can be a killer on your best fitness and health intentions...the recent cold snap in Melbourne has claimed a number of victims in the gym this week and i too have found my usual gusto to train, waiver slightly.
So how do you push through and stay on track? Here are my top 5 tips for beating the winter blues-
1) Remember, you create your reality. What ever you perceive your reality to be, so it shall. If you create a miserable, cold, feeling fat and cant be bothered version of yourself in the winter months...guess what you will be cold, miserable and demotivated to do anything. CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTIONS AND SELF TALK!

2) Get active- there a re a number of activities that run during the colder months- Fun Runs, Group Training, Fitness camps and Charity Fitness events. Sign up to one and make sure you turn up. This will pull you out of any winter rutt you may fall victim of and by staying active you release endorphins which will be guaranteed to pickup the lowest of moods.

3) Stay away form the stodgey foods- wanna know how to feel bloated, fat and frumpy and look it? Eat plenty of dense carbohydrate rich 'comfort' foods. Which is really a contradiction in terms cause i dont know anyone who gets any comfort from seeing a massive muffin top flowing over the waist of their favourite jeans. So set yourself an attack plan for meals and dining out over winter. Stay away form rich,calories laden foods and stick to the nutrient rich but light options of veggies and low GI carbohydrates.

4)Mix it up- Doing the same exercise routine can get very boring, so why not try something new each week. Try a different gym, style of training, throw in a dance class,a ygo class or rock climbing. Anything that you would normally not have considered to keep you physically and mentally alert. You might surprise yourself and meet some new and interesting people too.

5)Set a goal plan for winter- Clear goal setting is always a winner in my book, so having a plan of attack during winter makes sense to keep you on track to your long term annual goals. Make your targets daily/weekly or monthly with a clear rewards system for yourself and also a clear progression to monitor your success.