Staying Healthy When The Weather Doesn’t Cooperate

When cold weather hits, you might struggle to maintain your health and fitness routines. Seasonal depression can suck the motivation right out of you. Bad weather can make getting outdoors a struggle, and even leave you to figure out your workouts at home. We’re even drawn to overeating in the winter. All of this can make it difficult to stay on track and lose progress towards your fitness goals. You may be tempted to give up until spring, but there are ways to keep up with healthy routines even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Start by applying a few of these tips.

Keep Yourself Healthy

Illness can set your fitness goals back, and you’re at greater risk of getting sick when it’s cold out. Take proactive steps to ensure you stay as well as possible.

Get Your Immunizations

How’s your shot record looking? Are you behind on boosters? What about your annual flu shot? Head to your doctor to get caught up on the immunizations you need to stay healthy this winter. No time for an appointment? Try your nearby pharmacy, health department, or urgent care. Many offer these shots for free or at a very low price.

Eat Well

It’s easy to spend the cold weather months eating a diet of comfort food classics and indulgent treats. Certainly, the holidays don’t help. This can lead to you feeling low on energy, bloated, and sluggish. 

Enjoy indulgent foods from time to time. Everybody deserves to have a wonderful holiday meal. At the same time, be conscious of your eating habits. You don’t have to make sweeping changes. Try to get in an extra serving of vegetables or fruit each day. Swap out some of your carbs for whole grains.

Take Care of Your Skin

Between the frigid air outside and the dry air inside, winter is hell on your skin. That may not seem like much of a barrier to staying in shape, but who wants to work out if it means chapped, dry, or sensitive skin? Invest in a good quality hand and body lotion. Then, use it daily. 

Consider a Supplement

You may be lacking in some nutrients over the winter that could leave you feeling lethargic or lower your immune system. Talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement or ask if there are any vitamins you should take to boost your energy levels.

Mind Your Mental Health

You don’t need a diagnosis like seasonal affective disorder to struggle with mental health when the weather gets cold. Most of us spend more time indoors, have less social interaction, and deal with holiday stress. 

Remember that your mental health is as important as your physical health. Try to improve your mood and outlook with social interaction, meditation, yoga, and journaling. If you’re really struggling, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. 

Create an Alternate Home Routine

What happens if:

• The weather’s too bad to meet your friends for your daily run
• Icy streets mean it’s not safe to make the trek to the gym
• You’re just getting over a virus and may still be contagious

All of these things can prevent you from getting out and getting in a workout. None of them need to stop you from getting some form of exercise. You just need to have a plan B. In this case, your plan B is an at-home workout, or set of home workouts that you can do if you are stuck at home. 

Try working out along to YouTube videos, get some resistance bands, lift dumbbells, or just engage in some old-fashioned calisthenics. 

Get a Workout Partner

Accountability creates motivation. If you only answer to yourself, it can be pretty easy to skip workouts. That can happen pretty frequently when you’re facing cold weather and shorter days. One way to combat this tendency is to get a workout partner. 

Do you have a friend who’s also interested in starting or maintaining a fitness regimen? Ask them to be your workout partner! If that’s not an option, take a look at your local social media groups. Plenty of people want to stay on top of their health goals right after the new year. If you can find a group to join, you’ll incorporate socialization into your workouts, and that’s going to make it easier to stick with it. Also, if your workouts involve a specific activity like swimming or cycling, you can find people with similar interests.

Remember that it’s important to make your health a priority in every part of your life. That includes romance and dating. Find someone who shares your values, spiritual beliefs, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Go here for more information on finding a person who will support your fitness and health goals.

Invest in Some Quality Winter Gear

You can’t buy your way into better health, but having the right equipment certainly helps. This is truest in the middle of winter when inadequate clothing and other equipment are most noticeable. So, if you’ve been eyeballing some nice fleece outerwear, base layer, or other winter-rated gear, this may be the time to make that purchase.

You will lose the excuse that it’s too cold or uncomfortable to work out. Plus, you may be motivated to make good use of the items you just bought.

Get Into a Winter-Specific Hobby

Don’t run from the cold! Embrace it! Try an activity that will get you outside and moving that you can only enjoy when the weather is cold. You could try:

• Adult ice skating lessons
• Cross country skiing
• Ice hockey
• Curling

If you don’t know where to begin, contact your local ice rink. Many have recreational leagues and lessons for beginners.

Final: Don’t Let Perfection Undermine Progress

First, a reality check. You may not be able to maintain the same number of workouts this winter. You may not achieve your goals as quickly. These things aren’t failures. They are just signs that your body’s needs and your routines change throughout the year. As long as you are making steady progress, that’s the most important thing. You can intensify your efforts when it gets warmer. Meanwhile, enjoy your winter workout routine.