Get motivated!
Whether you run outside or in the gym, when cold weather sets in, it’s tempting to snuggle up on the sofa and watch a DVD. Here's what the Women's Running team do to motivate themselves to pull on their running shoes.
Amber Spencer
- Advertising Sales Executive
‘I find the silly season is its own inspiration for exercise. I much prefer getting dressed up and going out when I’m feeling good about myself and that only happens if I exercise regularly. The silly season theme of over indulging can be disastrous for my exercise routine - it’s not very fun exercising with a hangover, so I try and behave myself during the working week. I limit the drinking (and the mince pies) and get a workout in most days even if it means squeezing a class in at lunchtime. I’m not a fan of the cold weather and rain so the gym is my saviour during winter. To keep myself motivated I tend to do more upbeat classes like spinning and body combat and often arrange to go with friends. If I am feeling a little bit worse for wear and I’m supposed to be hitting the gym, I’ll still go but I’ll swap the cardio for yoga or Pilates. My trick to the silly season is to earn body brownie points wherever I can, so if I do over do it (more like when) I don’t feel quite so guilty afterwards.’
Rhalou Allerhand
- Online Editor
‘Like most of us, I find it hard to go to the gym in the winter when it’s freezing cold outside and I’d rather be in the warm watching telly, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives and I always feel great afterwards. To keep myself motivated, I make fitness a priority and an integral part of my life, so I diarise in advance what classes or training I intend to do like I would an important business meeting, which makes me more likely to stick to my routine. I also do most of my training at lunchtime, so it’s a good incentive as it means I get away from my desk for an hour. As online editor I can spend hours glued to my computer screen, so having a break is vital to my concentration! Preparation is also key. If I have a busy social calendar, I make sure I pack my sportswear as well as my party dress the night before work, so I’m fully prepared and have no excuses! Plus I look and feel better in my party gear when I’ve been training, so I have more fun.’Claire Chamberlain
- Sub Editor
‘Cold weather plus Christmas parties isn’t exactly a combination that inspires lots of winter running! When the mornings and evenings are dark, I try to make the most of the daylight hours by going for a run during my lunch break. This has the added bonus of leaving my evenings free for nights out with friends. And running to work is a good way to get a long run in during the week – knowing I’m aiming to get somewhere rather than just doing a circuit from my house is good motivation to get going! I also try to motivate myself to stick to my training routine with the thought that I don’t want to have to spend lots of time in the spring building my fitness back up to a decent level – I want to be able to hit the ground running!’