I have a confession. I used to hate fall. It wasn’t that I hated fall itself…I mean how could you hate the perfect fall temps and beautiful foliage we have here in New England, right? I hated fall, not because it actually sucked, but because it meant winter was coming.
I had a ridiculously hard time enjoying the present because of what I knew was coming in the near future. Silly, when you think of it that way, right? I’m the same way when I have something to do that I’m dreading. I find myself not enjoying anything, or at last not fully enjoying things as much, until the dreaded task or event is over.
It’s not shocking that I feel happier and enjoy the present more during the summer. I move more and soak up way more sunshine. Plus it’s so much easier to go outside or even just to run errands. (Side note: Does anyone else hate winter more after having kids? Coats and car seats don’t mix, although they do look darn cute all bundled up!)
That said, is it really worth wishing away every wintery or less-than-perfect day just because it’s not summer? No!
This fall instead of dreading winter, I took some time to appreciate the actual season of fall. It was beautiful. Really beautiful actually. I walked outside as often as my schedule allowed and kept the doors and windows open when I was home to soak up the fresh fall air. I burned fall scents from Bath and Body Works and embraced fall activities, including a fun Halloween!
It was really refreshing. Fall, you’re not so bad after all. I might even like you now.
Now we’re in that transition-to-winter period in New England. To be honest, everything is looking pretty ugly and gray. The weather is weird and unpredictable. Sometimes it’s totally freezing (like when it snowed last weekend) and other times it’s almost 60 degrees like it was for a bit yesterday. It’s been raining more, getting dark way too early and we finally had to drag out the winter coats and scarves.
Instead of wishing these gray days away, I’m refusing to get depressed about winter this year. I’m going to fully embrace the holiday season with Connor (he is such a fun age for Santa!!!) and maybe even get some Christmas shopping done nice and early so I’m not so stressed at the end of December. I’m going to bundle up and get outside, at least more than I normally do. I’m going to embrace family time and even snow storms. They can be fun, right?
I’m also going to stay active in the ways that I can even though the winter training funk is starting to set in and I’m seriously missing my glorious (sweaty) walks.
I am one of those weirdos who truly loves training. I especially love training in the summer and when I feel strong and injury-free. Track workouts, long sweaty walks and training at the gym while I look out at the beautiful sunshine all make me so happy. It’s rare that I’m not excited to train during the summer months. Even this summer, I actually did a great job of keeping my training mojo up through a pretty bad shoulder injury. I worked around it, became stronger and tried new things.
Why can’t I apply the same ideas to training this winter?
This year I plan to stay positive, enjoy the present and keep my training mojo going strong even during the bitter, slightly depressing winter months.
Here’s 5 ways you too can beat the winter blahs and enjoy life and training this winter!
Embrace each day. Keeping a gratitude journal helps. Mike and I each write one thing we are thankful for at the end of every day. I’m so excited we’re bringing this idea to our gym for the month of November too!
Realize that you’re never going to be completely motivated all the time. You’re aware that fitness professionals lose motivation too, right? Believe me, I understand. Generally speaking I love training, but sometimes I just don’t want to do it either. This sometimes means I need to give my good ole type-A self a break. Other times it just means I need to suck it up and work through it. Think about what it means for you. Be honest…do you need a break or are you making excuses?
Change up your training plan. (And have a training plan.) It’s fun to be a little loosey-goosey for a few weeks when you’re not feeling excited about your current training, but eventually it’s time to get back on the horse and follow a plan. I don’t know too many people who achieve their goals by “winging it.” Sometimes it helps to have someone else write your program.
Ideas: join a gym with great group training, follow The Modern Woman’s Guide to Strength Training, or hire a coach. Invest in your health. You’re worth it.
Don’t give up completely because you have a “bad” day. Yah, you’re going to eat too much on Thanksgiving and probably at a few holiday parties too. It’s not the end of the world, but it does mean you should continue to focus on eating tons of veggies and lean proteins the rest of the time during the next few months. Stop waiting for the holidays to be over or waiting for next week to get healthy. Do it now.
Shorten up your workouts. If you know your training session is going to take just thirty minutes instead of ninety minutes, you’ll be a lot more likely to push it hard and feel excited about training. Keep it short and sweet for awhile. Just keep doing something.
Look, I get it. Not every day is going to be amazing. Some are going to be a heck of a lot better than others. However, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the small things and wish life away until it’s easier. You know, until your shoulder feels better, until your huge project at work gets wrapped up, until your kid isn’t so exhausting, until the holidays are over, until winter is over…etc.
I actually found this blog where the writer says, “The now days are the best days.” I love that. New motto for me!
Any other tricks for beating the winter blahs??
How do you stay excited about training when it’s tempting to curl up on a blanket under the couch this time of year?
Leave a Reply