When the weather turns cool and you start slipping into your comfy, lumpy, oversized sweaters, it
is so incredibly tempting to slip out of your healthy & fitness routine. The justification comes so easily -why bother when no one is going to see your figure for another six months?
But before you start hiding under your sweater this season, consider these benefits of working out that have nothing to do with looking good.
Exercise Makes You Happy!
Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!
And why give up that happiness just because you don’t wear bikinis in the wintertime?
This tip will be particularly helpful if you suffer from winter depression - in fact, a study
published in 2016 found in 24 women diagnosed with depression, exercise of any
intensity significantly decreased feelings of depression.1
Exercise Helps You Sleep.
Not only does exercise help you feel more energized during
the day, but it also helps you sleep better! One study showed people who participated in
training programs reported better sleep quality and reduced sleep latency (how long it
took them to fall asleep).2
Exercise Makes You More Productive.
Physics shows us that “an object in motion stays
in motion.” Where snowy days can tempt you to snuggle up on the couch all day,
exercising in the morning will motivate you and keep you moving throughout the day.
You’ll be amazed how much of your to-do list gets done with this extra energy!
Exercise Keeps Your BODY Healthy.
There are many studies that prove the benefits of exercise - it helps optimize the functioning for your heart, lungs, muscles, and bones, and reduces of chronic pain and chronic diseases - all of which directly supports healthy metabolism. Essentially exercise keeps you fit and feeling good from the inside out!
Exercise Preps You for Next Year.
Remember that deflated feeling you get when Spring comes, swimsuit season is suddenly
around the corner, and you’re trying to get back in shape? Working out all winter keeps your metanbolism elevated and helps keep you focused with your other health and fitness routines, so when you're ready to pack up your sweaters and pull our your shorts and tank tops, you are already on track for success!
If you know you're the type of person to lose workout consistency through the colder months, consider working with a personal trainer or meeting a friend at a group training workout weekly for consistency and accountability! Contact us today to schedule a free intro session!
Don't let “Sweater Weather” excuses affect your eating habits either
Eating habits and calorie goals can also suffer when you think no one is looking at your body. Stay strong when comfort foods call your name this winter and try to stick to your calorie and macro goals!
Don’t have calorie and macro goals right now? It might be a good time to get your RMR tested!
1 - Meyer JD;Koltyn KF;Stegner AJ;Kim JS;Cook DB; (n.d.). Influence of exercise intensity for improving depressed mood in depression: A dose-response study. Behavior therapy.
Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27423168/
2 - Yang, P.-Y., Chien, M.-Y., Chen, H.-C., & Ho, K.-H. (2012). Exercise training improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems: a systematic review. Journal
of physiotherapy. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22884182/
3 - Craft, L. L., & Perna, F. M. (2004). The benefits of exercise for the clinically depressed. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC474733/