The Fitness Girl's Winters Survival Guide

You’re undoubtedly thinking, “bring on the winter weight gain!” Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. Surviving winter with your waistline, weight and fitness still at summer-time levels is possible, but you need a plan and you need to commit to it before the big chill sets in.

- Mariska Du Plessis And Pedro Van Gaalen

Stay happy

Lets face it, anything is possible with the right attitude. What you put in is what you get out. Try this for a good dose of daily mood boosting;

Pop a omega 3 pill every day! 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) play an important role in brain function. It’s packed with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which research now shows is effective as an antidepressant.

Make a playlist of your power tunes or hit up a new group training class. 

Whatever you do, find the things that drive you to push harder and stick with those.

Adapt your lifestyle

While those icy mornings can make it difficult to get up and get out, as leaving the warm, comfy confines of your duvet to face the chilly reality outside is far from pleasant, it’s not just the cold that plays on your mental state. 

Most mammals – humans included – experience a biological effect in relation to the changing durations of night and day. That’s because our internal clock, or circadian rhythm is set by our exposure to sunlight. We’re programmed to want to slip into a state of semi-hibernation during winter to conserve energy. Obviously that mechanism is at odds with our modern lifestyles, what with 24/7 access to electricity and light, and an abundant food supply. Yet the fact remains that the human body can crave more sleep in winter. So give it what it wants. 

Adding an extra sleep cycle to your night will do wonders for most people in winter, leaving them refreshed and invigorated come morning. But not everyone can spare an additional 90 minutes a night for that extra sleep cycle. However, that doesn’t mean youcan’t head for bed 20-30 minutes earlier for some valuable shut-eye.

Winter-proof your workout