When winter is upon us, with the dark nights, freezing temperatures and blustery winds, it can seem for many that maintaining any level of fitness needs to be put on hold until the end of the season when spring is in sight.
This doesn't have to be the case, however and with just a little planning, you can keep your fitness levels at a respectably high level right throughout the winter months, something which these four points show you how to do.
1. Get yourself a good pair of boots - something that's particularly important if there's snow and ice, if you invest in a good quality pair of boots that are created for walking in all weather, you'll be more inclined to go walking in the winter months, rather than if you were having to risk slipping in your normal shoes or trainers.
2. Take out a gym membership and incorporate it into your day - throughout the summer months, it can be relatively easy to exercise as the weather is somewhat inviting, making you want to be outside and getting fit and healthy for the summer.
Winter is completely the opposite, however and a great way to ensure you stay motivated is by taking out a gym membership and incorporating gym time into your day.
It might be a little difficult to get used to at first, but within a few weeks you'll automatically assume that, for example, after work you have to go to the gym for 90 minutes and if you don't, you'll be breaking your routine and in effect wasting the money spent on your gym membership.
3. Learn how to make soup - possibly the best meal you can have when the temperature drops, soups are perfect because they're hot, they'll fill you up and if you use the right ingredients, they'll help your body to release energy constantly throughout the day.
And whilst shop bought soup will keep you warm and help to release energy, generally speaking, it's not particularly healthy - or cost effective - and this is where learning how to make your own homemade soups plays a major role.
Simple and easy to prepare, all you have to do is chop up a selection of your favourite vegetables, place them in a pan, cover with boiling water and a stock cube, throw in a bay leaf or two and some salt and pepper and allow to simmer until the vegetables have cooked.
To finish, simply remove from the heat and blend to your desired consistency, whether that's completely pureed or thick and chunky.
4. Amend your daily routine - most of us have the ability to fit in some form of exercise relatively easily during the day if we just amend our routine.
Take parking your car at work as an example. It's preferable to park as close to work as possible during winter, so that you don't have to be walking in the cold weather, but if you can park 10 or 15 minutes away and wrap up warm, that's 20 or 30 minutes of walking each day you'll include in your life without a great deal of noticeable difference to your life.
For more information about joining a health club, visit the Fitness First website at http://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk.
No comments:
Post a Comment