What changes can Winter bring to your workouts?

Exercise Seasons and Cycles

Winter brings a natural opportunity to create changes in your workouts. When you are starting to exercise again in your fifties, a slow and steady approach to improving fitness is often the best approach. Particularly if you have spent most of your menopausal years out of your comfort zone. Gently expanding your comfort zones by tapping into the seasonal changes of winter is a great assessment tool.

Here are some changes to consider making to your workouts:

  • In the UK, winter means shorter days and perhaps less sunshine. The weather can be a deciding factor in whether to workout. For some, switching to working out in a gym rather than exercising outdoors is a straightforward decision. But that will depend on where you live and your resources.
  • Perhaps you prefer to train outdoors in the fresh air, if you feel you get cooped up indoors.
  • If you have darker mornings, then it may be harder to wake up early. You will know if it’s more appropriate for you to be more in hermit mode and sleep more at this time.
  • Colder weather may mean including a longer warm-up is appropriate for you if you are feeling physically colder when you start your workout.
  • I prefer to workout first thing in the morning. But there are often spells when it is too cold to do Yin Yoga in my living room, and an alternative is required. What can you plan for?
  • January usually brings busier classes at the gym and often new classes to try. Is there anything new you want to try?

What do you notice changing in the winter that can help improve your fitness?

Samantha Valand is a Pilates teacher, Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer turned online Coach. Who helps over fifties women fall in love with exercising again after the menopause. You can find some inspiration over on the blog.  Over on my YouTube channel, you can find my Intuitive Exercise Energy Readings. A tool I created to help build intuition and the mind-body connection when you start to exercise again after the menopause. Sign up for my free monthly newsletter to help you live healthy ever after