How to Stay Motivated to Workout When it’s Cold

As the mornings get darker and the days get colder, it can sometimes be harder to get out the door to get a workout in. This is especially true after my fall races are over and as the holidays begin. Here are some of my tips for staying motivated to workout.

1. Lay out your workout clothes the night before.

If I need to get up early, and it is dark outside, the less I need to think about the better. Having my outfit already laid out helps with this. That also includes having my shoes, accessories, and water bottle out where I can easily grab them. I also often sleep in my sports bra so it’s one less thing I need to put on!

2. Make it a date.

Year-round, it’s easier for me to get a workout in if I sign up for a class. Scheduling a class for cross-training and actually signing up means I really have to go. Who wants to get slapped with a cancellation fee for sleeping in?! If I find my motivation for running is low, I often call/text/message on Facebook a friend to schedule a run date.

3. Set new goals.

To keep yourself motivated beyond your fall races, set a new goal whether that is registering for another race or setting a new fitness goal. Now is the perfect time to register for spring races with the bonus of saving money before the end of the year, including the B3 Challenge which gives you 3 race distances to train for in 2019!

4. Make a deal.

On low motivation days, I’ll make a deal with myself by ending my run at a local coffee shop because warm hot chocolate or coffee after a cold winter run is the best. Another technique to motivate myself is I tell myself to just run for 10 minutes and then I can quit. 9 times out of 10, I keep going once I make it past those first 10 minutes! Sometimes the hardest part when it’s dark and cold out is getting dressed and putting your shoes.

5. Take Your Workout Inside.

After fall racing, I usally have a winter offseason which is the perfect time to take my workout indoors. Maybe that is trying a new studio or group fitness class (see the above tip!). That can also be throwing on shorts and a t-shirt and catching up on my new favorite show on Netflix indoors on the treadmill. For the treadmill I can find it boring, but can usually convince myself to run for at least a 30 min TV show!

6. Warm up indoors.

I’m not a fan of cold weather so getting dressed and doing my warm up indoors so my body is already getting warm before heading outside can help. Stretch out and do some running drills inside so you can hit the pavement right outside your door!

What do you do to stay motivated as the weather gets colder? What goals do you have for 2019 that you want to work towards? Let us know in the comments below!

About the Author: Lauren Seserko

Lauren is an adopted Charm City resident who is a occupational therapist by day and part-time health and fitness nut the rest of the time. Besides being a runner & Charm City Run coach, she is a foodie, science nerd, sweet tooth, panda lover, hippie at heart, and beer & whiskey enthusiast. She got hooked on running after her first 5K in 2012 and has since become a marathoner and completed countless other races. Besides running she loves participating in yoga, spin classes, and November Project Baltimore. Lauren is the creator of Breathe Deeply and Smile where she writes about the finding happiness, running, health & fitness, food, and Baltimore happenings. Lauren believes in running happy, dreaming big, enjoying life, and never passing up dessert!