Working out at any time of the year can be tricky when you’re a working professional, but it can seem especially daunting to exercise when the winter weather arrives. What with it being darker early, it’s colder and our bodies naturally want to hibernate and eat chips as we binge watch Netflix. However, as much as we all know we need to be physically active, sadly modern life seems to get in the way – work, commutes, home-life, socialization and daily, every day tasks we simply can’t put off. Luckily these few tips are here to help you change your perspective.

 

Change your Definition of “Working Out”

Some people are easily committed to frequenting a gym, while it takes others a lot of courage to start, or they simply feel overwhelmed and don’t know how or where to start. If you’re the second, try to stop overthinking it and just make it happen in your own way. It doesn’t have to be a run, it doesn’t have to be an hour – it just means changing up your heart rate, and avoid being stagnant for a prolonged period of time. There are several benefits from any and all types of activities and for any time: it all adds up!

 

You Don’t Need a Gym to be Active

If the thought of going to an aerobics class or running on a treadmill makes you want to give up already, try changing your perspective. What they all have in common is movement – so make the movements fit in with your every day routine. Take the stairs whenever possible, suggest a walking meeting, stand while you’re on the phone and do some light stretches, take the long way to the washroom, carry a grocery basket with your items instead of pushing a cart, do some jumping jacks when the commercials come on during your nightly TV time. If you sit back and think about your daily routine, you’ll notice how many short cuts there are in your day that could be extended by only a few minutes but in the end will offer plenty of chances for your body to work up a higher heart rate.

 

Consider the Other Benefits of Exercise

You’d have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the benefits of working out, but just for fun we’ll give you a reminder. By simply adding a 30-minute workout to your daily routine you’ll notice your stress will start to be more easily managed. Being active is also known for improving overall mood – something we’ll all need to tackle the upcoming holiday season! Long-term affects include decrease in cardiovascular risk, delay in dementia and it eases chronic pain.