It’s not always easy to stay motivated and be physically active during the long, dark winter months in Edmonton. The short days and cold weather might make your cozy bed and delicious comfort food sound more appealing than a healthy meal and some physical activity. But with nearly six months of snow, it’s important to find some motivation to stay active.

  1. Start your workout inside by doing your warm up before venturing into the cold. Cold and stiff muscles can be prone to injuries, so get that blood pumping before you bundle up and go outside.
  2. Find a motivation in a workout buddy. Especially during the winter, having a workout buddy and goal helps ensure accountability. Set a weekly schedule with your workout buddy when you will meet to get active and offer each other lots of encouragement.
  3. Try a new something new. If your workout routine seems to be getting stale, a new exciting workout class or routine can kick start your motivation and hold your interest longer.
  4. We know spring is coming, look forward to it! Set a goal for the spring, like entering a fun run or a marathon. With a goal or event to work toward you’ll be less likely to push winter workouts to the end of the to-do list.
  5. Make sure you have the appropriate training gear for outdoor activities in the winter. Being too cold or too hot is no fun, so layers are key.
  6. Make it a point to get outside during the day while the sun is shining. The sunshine and daylight will provide a boost in energy and remind your body when it’s daytime and nighttime. You will sleep better at night and have more energy during the day.
  7. Take advantage of activities that can only be done in winter, like cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, skating and downhill skiing. Even building a snowman or playing sports like soccer and touch football in the snow are great exercise and a fun way to truly enjoy the winter season.
  8. Program your thermostat to start heating up the house a few degrees before you wake up in the morning. It’s too tempting to stay in bed where it’s warm and cozy and miss your workout when the house is cold.

by Erin Wright

Erin Wright is Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Master of Health Promotion graduate and is certified with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiologists as a Certified Exercise Physiologist. She specializes in motivating others to get active and pursue a healthy lifestyle. She’s worked with high performance athletes and any individual looking to reach their goals in health.