Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
My first year in Canada, I developed the habit of staying indoors as much as possible when we hit sub-zero temperatures. I actually stayed hungry a couple times rather than brave the cold. And if I still had that mindset, yesterday would have been one of those ‘stay at home, don’t get out of bed’ days.
As you can see from my update on Insta, it was cold as eff in Waterloo yesterday. Surprisingly, I still managed to make it to class AND to the gym- two things I definitely wouldn’t have done in previous years. But this season, I decided to do as much as I could to avoid the winter blues and keeping up my health and fitness routines is a huge part of that.
So today I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks for eating well and staying active during the winter, when everything inside you is just screaming for all the carbs, followed by a 5 hour nap.
5 Tips to Help you Stay on Track when it Snows
1. Have a plan
The worst thing you can do in the winter, is not plan out your days. And this advice is coming from the most Type B person you’ll ever meet. In the summer, I love to go with the flow. I get up, go outside and wonder around and just experience life. But in winter? No way. I’m not leaving my house until I know where I’m going, how long I’ll be gone, what time the buses are and all that jazz. There’s nothing fun about being stuck outside waiting on a bus for 15 minutes while you progressively lose feeling in your toes. Trust me. When that happens, the first thing you’re gonna want to do is go home and order pizza. Not head to the gym or the grocery.
2. Don’t go home first
On that note, if I’m going to be out before I go to the gym or the grocery I never plan to come back home first. As soon as I step into my house, I know I’m not leaving again unless under threat of bodily harm. To avoid this, I walk around with a packed gym bag and reusable grocery bags, so I can just head to where I need to be. It may be a little extra luggage to carry around all day, but it’s worth it to not have to try (and fail) to convince myself to leave home a second time.
3. Stock up on essentials
I’ve written before about going to the grocery more than once a week, but I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always follow this rule when it’s snowing. I don’t drive and trudging around in knee-high snow with heavy grocery bags hanging from my frozen fingers is not my idea of a good time. So in the winter I stock up on things like (low-sodium) canned beans, diced tomatoes, sweet potatoes and other foods that aren’t as likely to spoil so when I don’t feel like venturing into the outdoors for groceries I have healthy options at home.
4. Do it with friends
There’s nothing more annoying motivating than a friend nagging encouraging you to “get off your lazy a** and head to the gym now”. Not that I know from experience or anything…But seriously, having a gym buddy keeps you accountable will usually help you get out your warm bed and into the gym. And eventually, you’ll thank them for it.
5. Have a back up plan
There are always going to be those days when it’s so cold that you just head straight home, or don’t want to leave your house in the first place. So it’s a good idea to have a back up plan. Freeze some meals that you won’t touch except for a rainy snowy day when you’re out of everything and can’t be bothered to go to the grocery. I also like to save at home or no equipment workouts so when I can’t make it to the gym I can still get my sweat on.
What about you?
What tips to you have for eating well and staying active when it snows? Do you use any of these?
Share in the comments below!
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Great tips! Thanks for sharing!!
Having a gym buddy to keep you accountable is a GREAT idea! I definitely need to find someone to work out with because it is so hard to find motivation when it is freezing outside.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Butternut Squash and Lentil Hash (Vegetarian with Vegan Option)
Definitely number 2! With the darkness coming early too, it makes it near impossible to leave the warmth of your home for anything. Bring what you need with you and make home your last stop!
Chris recently posted…I’m Getting Stronger
Great tips Giselle!
The biggest one for me is #2! If I go home, it’s game over.
Great advice! You should definitely keep the pantry stocked if and when the weather gets terrible!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Friday Five: How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
I love this post. If I can just conquer #2, I think I can stay healthy. I’m sooooo unmotivated to go anywhere once I get home on a normal day, but during the winter? Multiply that by 100,000.
Thank you for these tips.
Regina recently posted…How to Decide Which Social Media Platforms are Best for Your Brand (and some free tools)
I always had to take my gym clothes with me if I was even thinking about working out after work back in the day! Once I’m home, I’m not moving. ๐ Great tips. Thanks for linking up!
Heather @ Housewife Glamour recently posted…Friday Favorites #63: Week of 11/14
These are great tips!!
Oops didn’t mean to comment twice!
Olivia schwab recently posted…November Blog Challenge- Day 12-14
Really great tips! Especially the Don’t go home. That would get me every time when I used to work! Getting home after a long day, you just want to shower and change into PJs. I always had a big plan but as soon as I walk in, I felt tired! So true.
Molly Young recently posted…22 Great Uses for Breastmilk
Ehehe. Ohhh I know what you mean about not wanting to brave the elements to go out and buy food. Some of my best vegan and/or GF recipes are the result of not wanting to go out the cold. These are some great tips, though. I also find that it helps to have a winter activity that you love. Buuuut I know not everyone likes playing out in the snow ๐
Amanda @ .running with spoons.com recently posted…. double chocolate chip oatmeal cookies .
These are great tips! I’ll hVe to implement these. It’s like my body doesn’t like me most of the time, if there is a germ within a mile it will catch me hah.
Leslie recently posted…A Day At The Biltmore Estate
Freezing meals is a good one. I need to buy extra at store and start doubling my recipes. Also I find myself going to the start more than once in a week. I have to plan better.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Items you’ll want for cold weather running…..
Excellent advice! I do hate it when it’s cold outside and all you can think of is sitting on your couch with a cup of hot chocolate. You are so right, once you get home it is VERY hard to make it back out the door. #fitnessfriday
Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl recently posted…Giveaway + Garuda: The Eagle Who Soared with Ahimsa by Ally Ford
These are great tips!
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Not going back home is a great tip! I know I am the time of person that does better leaving the house with gym bag packed and not coming home again until the end of the day as well!
Winter is so tough for me to stay motivated to work out. Not only is November and December my favorite food months I hate the cold.
Laina Turner recently posted…Gems & Gunshots – a cozy mystery
Great tips! I’m certainly guilty of the winter hibernating! I think planning on not going home before going to the gym is a great idea- because you’re right, once you’re home, cozy, and have hot tea in hand, it’s hard to go back out!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Vegan Hazelnut Hot Cocoa
Great ideas! I really want to become a bear and hibernate once winter gets here. .I need a plan to keep myself up and moving!
Trish
http://www.thetrishlist.com
Trish @TheTrishList recently posted…Winter Reading- Updated Book List
I couldn’t do another winter. I am so excited that I no longer have to haha.
These tips are great. No matter what, once I get home I don’t leave. Whoops.
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Hello! Thank you for such an inspiring article. I never get why people don’t eat or drink properly during the winter. Your body doesn’t need different fuel during the winter, just eat as healthy as you normally would. Also, I love it when people don’t go to the gym because it’s cold, it makes it so there are only around 10 people total in the gym at any time of the day, and those people are motivated to work out! No annoying people taking up space while doing nothing. Such a nice and calm time to work out
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Found this really useful. Thanks for sharing
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I can not sit at home, even in winter, even in 25 degree frost. I try to always engage in the fresh air. Tips are good, but more suitable for domes.
I can not sit at home, even in winter, even in 25 degree frost. I try to always engage in the fresh air. Tips are good, but more suitable for domes!
Another would be advice in order to survive autumn, and I love winter)
Thanks for sharing this quality information, worth reading.
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Very useful article, many people usually develop ailments during the winter season
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Great tips, thank you. It is very helpful during the winter