Body & Fitness

Five ways to make exercising in winter easier

It's colder, it's darker and you just want to stay in bed - but we have the secrets to motivate your winter workout.
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1. Jump out of bed and just go. The longer you think about your workout the less likely you are to actually do it, say researchers at Canada’s University of Alberta.

2 If it’s windy, head out into the wind – this will mean the wind is behind you on the way back, giving you a lift when you’re a bit tired.

3  Make a playlist of old tunes. Experiencing nostalgia actually makes us feel warmer, says a study at the University of Southampton.

4  Invest in some proper workout clothes. Fabrics that wick sweat away from the skin will leave you warmer than cotton, which holds fluid. It’s also good to wear layers that you can add or remove as needed.

5  Come up with a plan B: If it’s raining really hard you might not be able to exercise outside, even if you want to. So have a backup plan – go to the gym, have a simple workout you can do at home, or sign up for an exercise app or an online workout service.

Words: Helen Foster

Jump out of bed and just go

The longer you think about your workout the less likely you are to actually do it, say researchers at Canada’s University of Alberta.

If it’s windy, head out into the wind

This will mean the wind is behind you on the way back, giving you a lift when you’re a bit tired.

Make a playlist of old tunes

Experiencing nostalgia actually makes us feel warmer, says a study at the University of Southampton.

Invest in some proper workout clothes

Fabrics that wick sweat away from the skin will leave you warmer than cotton, which holds fluid. It’s also good to wear layers that you can add or remove as needed.

Come up with a plan B

If it’s raining really hard you might not be able to exercise outside, even if you want to. So have a backup plan – go to the gym, have a simple workout you can do at home, or sign up for an exercise app or an online workout service.

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