AMY ANCI MAKES WINTER WORK FOR YOU
NO, PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL DID NOT SEE HIS SHADOW LAST WEEK, AND WITH ANY LUCK, HIS PREDICTION WILL HOLD. BUT I'M CYNICAL BY NATURE, SO FORGIVE ME IF I'M NOT PUTTING MY WINTER CLOTHES INTO STORAGE JUST YET. WINTER IS A FICKLE BITCH, AND THE THREAT OF SNOW SEEMS TO EXIST WELL INTO SPRING — NO MATTER HOW EARLY THAT SPRING IS SUPPOSED TO COME. SO, BEING THAT TEMPS COULD TUMBLE at ANY SECOND, WE TURNED TO FRIEND AND FITNESS GURU AMY ANCI (who you can find at exceed physical culture teaching classes and training clients) TO GET SOME TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE WORKING OUT IN THE WINTER WORK FOR YOU.
1. EMBRACE THE COLD
Whether you're doing winter sports like skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing or going for a run or walk in your neighborhood park, the cold weather will invigorate you and boost your mood. Our bodies work harder to stay warm in the cold, so you're actually doing double duty: getting a great workout AND burning more calories! Plus. the harder you exercise, the more you boost your endorphins, making you feel happier, which on short winter days can be a huge relief. And as an added bonus, getting outside in the winter will also get you some much needed Vitamin D from the natural sunlight, something in short supply in the colder months. Just don't forget your sunscreen! I prefer Coola Suncare.
2. GET SOME FUN NEW WINTER GEAR
Let’s face it, you're not working out in the freezing cold if you don’t have the clothes to keep you warm and comfortable. Get yourself some fleece lined running pants, a base layer top that wicks away sweat and a down pullover. A hat and gloves are a must. I particularly love smart wool running socks! You will surely stay warm with your heart pumping. Just make sure you get back inside before you cool down, and don’t forget to apply a layer of face cream and lip balm to keep your skin hydrated.
3. SET SPECIFIC FITNESS GOALS
Summer bodies are made in the winter so take some time to write down what you want to accomplish over the next few months. It could be a 5K run, a 2 minute plank, a yoga handstand, 100 snatches with a 20 kg kettle bell, or training for a triathlon. Remember to do your warm-up and cool down inside. Spend 5 minutes warming up for your outdoor workout by doing mobility exercises: deep squats, high knees, push-ups, planks and basic stretching. Post workout, take 5-10 minutes to cool down inside with gentle stretching.
4. CHANGE UP YOUR WORKOUTS
In between outdoor adventures, try hot yoga (ahhh), pilates, kettlebells, rock climbing, tennis lessons, swimming — you get the picture. Have fun, mix it up! Find a workout buddy or personal trainer for accountability and post your fitness progress on social media to keep you motivated.
5. STAY HYDRATED!
When working out in the cold, you don’t realize how much you're sweating, so make sure to drink lots of water before, during and after your workout. In addition, fueling your body with a nutrient packed smoothie or juice is a great pre or post-workout treat. I love Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Juice recipe book. The only problem is deciding which one to make because they're all so delicious!
6. CLEAN UP YOUR DIET
Baby it's cold outside, so stay in and cook your own food! Don’t blow all your hard work on a bad diet — It’s ok to have a cheat day here and there, but you don’t want to split your ski pants! My favorite go-to simple, healthy and delicious meal is roasted chicken with potatoes and vegetables. (Check out Chef Marc Murphy’s recipe here).
7. MAKE MUSIC KEY
Create a smokin’ hot playlist to keep your heart pumping! Some tunes to get you thinking of the hot weather are Summer by Calvin Harris, Nelly’s Hot in Herre, and Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon. Click here for a perfectly curated playlist that will make your workout fly by in no time.
