How To Crush Your Fitness Goals This Winter

It is not uncommon to slack off on your fitness goals during the winter. Colder, darker days don’t exactly spark a lot of inspiration, plunging many of us into a seasonal funk.

Most of us know at least one person who bemoans ‘just getting through the winter’ as if this season is lost time to be endured, not used to your advantage. They are typically the same people scrambling furiously to get into shape before we start shedding layers in the summer.

Don’t let this be you – stay on track and crush your fitness goals this winter with these tips.

Why is it harder to workout in the winter?

If you find it harder to workout in the winter, you are not alone. Don’t get frustrated if you feel like you always let your fitness routine fall to the wayside this time of year. There are many reasons why it is so hard to work out in the winter, but the ever-prevalent winter workout blues comes down to three (3) main factors:

1. It’s Cold

For those of us who live a bit further from the equator, winter means colder temperatures and, in many areas, frequent bad weather. If you are used to exercising outside, you are probably far less inclined to do so as the temperature drops. Once the snow starts to fall, all bets are off for most (and we don’t blame you).

2. It’s Dark

The shorter days in the winter months wreak havoc on everyone’s mental state whether we realize it or not. It is simply easier to justify skipping your workout when it feels like there are fewer hours in the day. What’s worse, potentially serious depressive conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) are common, and even a comparatively ‘mild’ case can still rob you of your motivation to do much of anything at all.

3. It’s Busy

Winter kicks off a busy holiday season that can throw our schedules off track. Even when the festivities calm down, it can be very difficult to reclaim your usual routine and revive your fitness momentum. It can be exhausting doing so much for everyone else during this time. Don’t forget--you can’t pour from an empty cup – self-care comes first!

How do you stay motivated to work out in cold weather?

There are many ways to stay motivated to work out during cold weather. Fitness is just as much about improving your mental state and adopting a healthier lifestyle as it is about getting in better physical shape.

That said, it’s helpful to remember that ‘Action Precedes Motivation’ – meaning that you establish motivation (and momentum) by the act of getting started. It might feel daunting to think about how to stay fit during the cold dark winter, but establishing a game plan and taking the first active step is the hardest part. Be proud of yourself for getting past that initial foot-dragging stage. It gets easier!

To get started, it’s critical to choose workouts that you will enjoy. Follow the lead of top NFL players - many of your favorite professional athletes choose to glove up for their offseason training. Boxing and kickboxing are two of the most effective and addictive exercises to keep you motivated any time of year, with an endless variety of drills tailored to all fitness levels. When the weather starts to take a turn, you can easily start boxing or kickboxing at home, with or without equipment.

If you’re ready to treat yourself to some boxing equipment, you don’t need much to get started. It’s worth it, too. The stress-busting intensity of a heavy bag workout does wonders for your mental health, making boxing and kickboxing the most effective winter workouts to keep you coming back for more.

So how can you stay fit in the winter months?

1. Create an At-Home Gym

Get out of the cold with your own special indoor fitness gym. Setting up a home boxing gym is one of the best ways to ensure you can stay motivated when the weather outside is frightful. It is much simpler than you may think, especially with step-by-step guides offered by programs with complete home setups like FightCamp.

2. Join a Like-Minded Group

Having support from a community with similar fitness goals is priceless. Not only is it encouraging to share your fitness journey with others, but joining online classes can spark your inner competitive edge, pushing you to keep showing up and to go harder every time.

3. Track Your Progress

As great as healthy competition can be, the most important competitor you face is yourself. One of the biggest fitness motivators is seeing the progress you have made towards your personal fitness goals. There are few things more satisfying than knowing your hard work is paying off, and programs like FightCamp, with the App and punch trackers, can give you the data and insight to follow your at-home workout metrics.

4. Eat Healthy

This can be tough during the winter holidays. While it is important to let yourself indulge and enjoy at celebrations, it’s also important to remember that what you eat will impact how you feel. Following a boxer’s diet is an easy way to not derail your fitness progress by providing guidelines on choosing the right kinds of fuel.

5. Schedule Your Workouts

Yes, keeping a fitness routine is exactly what many find so difficult in the winter, but it can be done. Even if you’re confronted with a hectic holiday schedule, you can almost always find a way to pencil in as little as 15 minutes for exercise just 3 or 4 times per week. Again, this is part of the massive appeal behind boxing and kickboxing – you can crush a combination cardio and full-body strength training workout in way less time.

When do you start?

Winter can be the best time to get fit if you have the right approach. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re struggling to stay on top of your workouts, just take a step back and re-evaluate your routine. Getting started is the hardest part, and there are plenty of ways to make sure staying fit this winter is a joy rather than a chore.

Give yourself a taste of the adrenaline-pumping, stress-eliminating power of the punch by trying out boxing or kickboxing for free with the workout videos on the FightCamp YouTube Channel. When you’re ready to set up your very own boxing gym at home, FightCamp has equipment packages with everything you need to get started and a wealth of information on all things fitness to support you in building a healthier lifestyle, all year long!