When it comes to motivation, the sunshine and warmth that summer brings is a big one as it encourages us all to get outside, enjoy the weather and be active. However, when winter rolls around we all tend to seek comfort in the warmth of our homes, neglecting our morning walks for a few extra minutes in our warm beds. If you are someone who has fallen into the trap of feeling lethargic, lacklustre and discouraged during the colder months, try to remember that there are ways to break through these seasonal barriers, which can help you to feel dynamic all year round.
- Home-cooked meals – One of the best ways to feel empowered about yourself is to eat a balanced diet – this includes treating yourself! One of the easiest and simplest ways to do this is to eat home-cooked meals. Cooking your meals can even become social when you do it with others, whether it is with your family or whether you invite people over for a group dinner. However, in saying that if you’ve had a long day at work or school, and you feel like going out for dinner or grabbing something on your way home, that is also okay as choosing pleasurable foods helps you to feel good.
- Have an ‘exercise buddy’ – When it’s dark and cold outside it’s harder to remain motivated about your exercise routines. Try to find someone who you can exercise with, and set up a regular time. Knowing that have someone waiting for you is a greater motivator and means you can’t hit snooze when you’re alarm goes off in the morning! Exercise releases endorphins in your body, which help to increase your self-esteem, reduce stress and help give you a positive outlook on life. Therefore it is important to keep up these routines in winter as they will help you feel more dynamic. If possible try to vary the type of exercise you’re doing as this will help keep you further motivated.
- Modify your recipes – when it gets colder many of us start to reach for those heavy, comfort foods. Whilst these foods are fine in moderation, having too much of one food group whether it be carbohydrates or proteins leads to an unbalanced diet. Rather than giving these foods up completely – a happy medium is to tweak your favourite recipes to make them more balanced for regular consumption. Modifying your recipes is also a great way to get creative in the kitchen – who knows, you might like the creation even more than the original!
- Think about why you’re eating – Are you eating in response to anxiety, boredom or anger? Listen to your body – If you don’t physically feel hungry then chances are that you are comfort eating. Try to keep this thought present before meal times – if you forget to listen to your body it can lead to non hungry eating.
Inevitably, slip ups do occur not only in winter, but all the time. Try to accept these, move on and focus on getting back on track at your next meal.
