This week we have had some serious winter weather here in Adelaide. Training, both in and out of the gym, has become an integral part of what I do and for the last month or more I’ve had to juggle my training around the wind and rain a little.
Sure, there are times when I don't feel like running or training, but it has become so second nature to me that I am more likely to get cranky about missing a session than find excuses not to go. I also know how great I feel afterwards so focusing on that is usually enough to get me out of bed and out the door.
The truth is regular exercise does make you feel awesome for much longer than the ‘afterglow’ you get from a good heart raising. Raising your heart rate, for a period of time, multiple times each week is great for many aspects of your health.
For me, it is as much about mental health as physical and I can tell you that after so much time cooped up inside during school holidays, because of the weather, getting outside and running around definitely improves my kids’ moods too!
Even though it is still seems like the middle of winter the days are getting noticeably longer and I am more able to feel the warmth of the sun than I was a couple of weeks ago.
Spring isn’t really that far away and before we know it Summer will be here again, it is time to come out of hibernation and kick back into an exercise routine if you have let it slide a little .while it has been dark and cold.
Set the alarm an hour earlier an head out for a walk or jog three times a week. Exercising first thing in the morning, before you eat, really amplifies its effect. Ask your neighbour if she wants to come to, that will help keep the motivation up and you might make a new friend in the process.
Dust off the bikes and scooters and head to nearby bike path with the kids. Make it a regular after school habit that the kids will enjoy just as much as you do.
Change things up, do some different classes at the gym or switch bike riding for swimming laps in the pool.
Invest in some personal training sessions to help you learn some new moves or techniques. I'm doing a challenge at my gym that is putting me totally outside my comfort zone!
Challenge your friends and join forces as a team to tackle an obstacle event. You'll need to train as a team over a number of months to make sure you all get through it together.
Set a new goal for yourself and start working towards it. As a runner I am contantly looking at the various Australian and International running calendars and dreaming of the different events I would like to run. My deposit is paid for the 2014 NY Marathon, I'll be running it with my sister. I've already started planning my first few events for 2014.
Why not give bikram yoga a go, there's not to many physical activites that come as hot as that one!
Have an awesome weekend!
Tatum xx
