The typical New Year\’s fitness resolutions often fall by the wayside around Valentine\’s day. This is about the time when getting healthier and looking better often seem to require more change from us than we feel we can cope with during some of the toughest months of the year. After all, we still have two to three months of heavier clothing, less than lovely weather and shortened daylight hours. Why schlep outside of our comfortable homes and offices to get sweaty when we just have to put a big coat on? How does one get in the mood to exercise when it\’s dark and dreary and our joints are stiff, our noses are runny, and work is so stressful and we get so tired…..ugh! These excuses are often part of the winter blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is defined as having depressive symptoms linked to shorter daylight hours and possibly the isolation that colder weather brings. These symptoms may or may not include irritability, excessive sleepiness during the day, carbohydrate cravings, anxiety, and of course, sadness, possibly even hopelessness. People with SAD usually feel better once the days are longer.
Treatment for SAD might include light therapy or antidepressants. Can you guess what is also recommended? That\’s right. Exercise.
Regular exercise is consistently associated with improved mood, better sleep, better stress management, and less fatigue. Exercise in the morning might even help with the winter blues for the rest of the day.
Here are some tips to get you moving consistently through the rest of winter and avoiding SAD:
1. Set aside time in your calendar with something specific for at least two of your workouts a week for the next three months. It might be a class you like and want to make progress in, it might be with a trainer. Whatever you would like to see happen in 2012 with your body and fitness goals, do not assume that you\’ll \”get around to it\” only to watch the weeks slip by. Commit to whatever you can. You can always make adjustments in your schedule if needed, but do not give up!!!
2. It\’s 4pm and you have a class/ training session scheduled for 6pm. You still have work to do and you are getting that listless late afternoon feeling where you\’ll allow any and all distractions to get in the way of your working out. Aside from being sick, having a work or family emergency, don\’t let that afternoon haze get in the way of your time to exercise. Get your work organized and done, and get yourself to the gym. You\’ll feel better, and will more than likely be more productive at your work when you return to it.
3. Plan something fun, however simple, that you want to feel well and look great for while it\’s still cold. Maybe it\’s a vacation or an event for work, or even just going out someplace different for dinner or dancing. Of course, it can be a winter 10K or tennis match as well. Whatever it is, give yourself something to look forward to and that you\’d like to be your best self for. Anticipation leads to motivation. Keep moving and you might find yourself humming on your way to the gym.
4. If you lapse and have to skip a few exercise sessions for whatever reason, just get back on the horse. Don\’t give up! If your GPS leads you the wrong way, you don\’t call it quits and drive off a bridge. You recalculate and keep driving! This is how you should be approaching your fitness routine. Keep it flexible, and keep it going.
Before you know it, it will be time to shed your bulky outerwear, the evenings will come later, and you\’ll have a leg up on feeling great for SPRING!!!
