Get out of your winter rut with these top tips
It’s no secret that looking after your health in winter can be more difficult. The days are shorter, darker and colder. Which means getting up early is cold, training outside is miserable and it feels like there’s less time to get things done in general. The couch and Netflix can seem much more appealing despite the fact that too much digital consumption is a direct threat to your waistline. So if you’re stuck in a winter rut, here’s a few of our top tips to get you back on track.
1). Know Your Vitamins
What would you say if we asked you 'what has more Vitamin C? One chopped cup of orange or one chopped cup of capsicum'? Surprisingly for many the answer is capsicum! As much as you can, try to find ways to add Vitamin C rich foods into your life during winter. This won’t stop you getting a cold but vitamin c will definitely decrease the length and severity of a cold.
2). Spice up your life
During the colder months of the year it can be a bit more difficult to stay hydrated. If you also struggle with this try to spice things up a little by adding some ginger and mint to your water. Frozen blueberries are also a great addition to water to make it a touch more interesting.
3). Feed your brain
Keeping blueberries top of mind, they have got to be one of the greatest things known to humankind. They’re full of antioxidants and low GI, which means they make the perfect workday snack. Better yet, studies have shown that eating blueberries can improve cognitive function. Sign us up. Although it might not make you popular in the office at lunch, adding deep water fish into your diet is a great way to add omega 3's into your life. Salmon for example, contain omega 3 essential fatty acids, which aid healthy brain function. If you’re training load is high, Omega 3’s also have anti-inflammatory properties which can aid joint function.
4). Switch it up
If you’re stuck in a bit of a rut we're big fans of encouraging you to switch things up a little. Shake up your routine by trying something new and see it as a chance to get a fresh perspective on your health. You’ll also challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and learn new neural pathways along the way. It can be as simple as switching the jogging for a treadmill, training at a different times of the day, making sure your treadmill is serviced and maintained, or trying something like cross training, yoga, pilates or a boxing class for the first time.
5). Respect your sleep
Are you taking sleep for granted?. In the words of ‘sleep guru’ Matt Walker – ‘Sleep is your superpower’. At the end of the day (pardon the pun) sleep is not an optional lifestyle, it is a biological necessity. The benefits of sleep are many. It may help prevent cancer, reduce stress, reduce inflammation, improve your memory and even help you lose weight. The list is endless. So take the time during the winter months to create a better sleep routine where you go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time everyday. Even on weekends. Still don’t’ believe us? Watch this incredible Ted Talk by Matt Walker himself.
Generally speaking, your body loves routine. So if you're stuck in a rut this winter take the time to reset your goals, create new experiences, create new goals and bring some joy into your training. Good luck.
Written by Fitness Warehouse Personal Trainer, Simon Mitchell. Simon has a Bachelor of Human Movement, is a certified FMS trainer and has worked in the fitness industry since 2003. Simon started his fitness journey as a trainer with iNform Health and Fitness before moving into commercial radio and then back into fitness with Bodyism in the United Kingdom and Australia. A career highlight was being one of Daisy Ridley's Personal Trainers on Star Wars IX - The Rise Of Skywalker.
