Jun 14, 2023
1034
Wellness
Get motivated to exercise with these 6 tips
With colder temperatures and more hours of darkness, it can be hard to find motivation to work out in the winter. Here are some ideas to stay motivated.
- Find an accountability buddy or group. It’s a lot easier to cancel on yourself than a friend. Arrange to meet up with a friend or group to exercise in the morning or go for a walk with coworkers at lunch. If you have an accountability buddy who isn’t local, pick a time to check in with each other about that day’s workout.
- Set goals. Find a goal that will keep you encouraged. Adults should complete a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Goal ideas could include working out a certain number of days per week, hitting a certain mileage in a month for running or walking, improving your 5K time or reaching a new distance on the spin bike.
- Sign up for an event. It can help to have an event to work toward. For example, if you know you must complete a 5K (3.1 miles) on a certain date, you’ll either need to work up to this goal or you’ll get to the event and not be ready.
- Don’t overexert yourself too quickly. Faster isn’t always better, and overwhelming yourself could make exercise less fun. Don’t push yourself into going too fast too quickly, whether you’re running, walking or exercising on the elliptical or spin bike. Slow efforts are great for building endurance. If you’re getting into running – or if you’ve been doing it for years – run-walk intervals (aka the Galloway Method) are great for maintaining energy throughout your run and having small moments to look forward to.
- Stick to a routine. Things come up, and you don’t have to be a stickler for the schedule, but forming a routine can keep you on track. Examples could include going to a workout or yoga class at the same time every week or going for a walk as soon as you get home from work every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Join a gym. Paying to become a gym member may encourage you to go there, or maybe it’s the support you receive while at the gym or the engaging classes you take. Belonging to a gym also provides opportunities to work out inside in a heated environment when it’s cold, snowy or icy outside.
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For those who can benefit from a gym staffed by registered nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical exercise physiologists and exercise specialists, ask your primary care physician about getting a referral for TidalHealth Adult Fitness. TidalHealth Adult Fitness has locations in Salisbury and Ocean Pines.
Always check with your primary care provider before starting an exercise routine. If you're looking for a provider, TidalHealth has primary and specialty care providers conveniently located across Delmarva.
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