How to Embrace Winter Fitness

Welcome to our Wild Workout Wednesday link up! Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, and Nicole at Fitful Focus to bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us for a wild workout each week by reading along or grab the button and link up if you have a fitness or healthy living post to share!

Winter presents some unique challenges when trying to stay fit…short days and snow to say the least!  Staying motivated to maintain a high level of fitness can be difficult.  Adjusting expectations for the winter months, and having a purposeful plan, can give your mind and body a break from competition while also completing much needed preparation for the summer season.

Plan

Now is the time to determine your goals and lay out the path to reach them.  Identifying races, and signing up for them, needs to happen in the offseason.  The benefits of signing up for races in the offseason include:

1) Actually getting into the race.  Many popular races will close out…don’t let it happen to you!

2)  Saving money.  Take advantage of early registration discounts that many races provide.  As you move closer to race day, the prices will increase.

3)  Having a concrete plan.  Once the registration is complete, you can work towards an actual goal.  You will be able to design a training plan around your ‘A’ race and have something to look forward to.

Build your foundation

Winter is a great time to embark on fitness goals that get pushed aside during the busy summer months.  Specifically, core strength and flexibility weaknesses are often the root of performance setbacks during the season.  Addressing these weaknesses now, will give you a strong base when you begin training.

1)  Core strength.  Swimming, biking, all require a strong core.  Implementing a core strength routine now can enable you to begin the season at a higher level.

2)  Flexibility.  One of the most common factors that block athletes from moving to the next level is flexibility.  Lack of flexibility can cause injury and restrict an athlete’s range of motion, thus preventing them from performing with the most efficient form.  Integrating your own flexibility routine, or taking a regular yoga class, can reduce your risk of injury and give you the tools you need to continue an increased level of flexibility in the months to come.

You might like–>5 Tips to Stay Fit in the Winter

Maintain

Unless you have a winter race, the cold weather months are a great time to regroup and prepare.  Setting your goals for the upcoming season, building your foundation, and simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle will enable your mind and body to be prepared, and energized for, a successful season of training and racing.

What are your tips for staying fit during the winter months?

Linkup below if you have a workout, fitness find or healthy recipe to share! Just make sure to link back or grab the badge and we will make sure to spread the inspiration around 🙂

Also linking up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!

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