Bec Durrant.
Camera IconBec Durrant. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Tips to keep your summer fitness habits during winter

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

WITH winter weather looming, it can be easy to ditch your workout and replace it with a sit in on the cosy couch.

In fact, Dieticians Association of Australia says nearly 38 per cent of women and 53 per cent of men are expected to gain up to 5kg during winter.

All is not lost and there are ways to avoid hibernation and joining the wrong side of that winter statistic.

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Health coach Bec Durrant said motivation was certainly harder to achieve and maintain when it was cold and wet.

“It’s the combination of eating winter favourites like roasts and hot chocolates while exercising less to avoid the cooler conditions that can lead to gaining extra weight during winter,” Durrant said.

“I always advise my clients to keep summer habits strong during winter to make it easier for themselves in the long run.

“For example, I recommend checking the weather for the week and finding alternative options if it’s raining heavily outside.”

The Body Fusions director and a personal trainer at Lords said it was important to stay healthy – rain, hail or shine – and helped her clients during winter with the following tips.

1. ASK YOURSELF ‘WHY DO I BREAK MY HEALTH REGIME IN WINTER?’

Firstly, it’s important to identify why you break good summer habits during winter. Is it because of the weather? Or because you indulge in your favourite comfort foods as soon as it gets colder? Once you establish the reason why, you can then develop your plan for winter.

2. PLAN

Heading into winter, I always advise my clients they need to have a plan of where and when they will exercise and the types of food they will be eating.

Checking the weather each week will enable you to plan your workout regime. If you know heavy rain is coming, then find some at home exercises – these can be just as effective as exercising outside.

If working out at home doesn’t motivate you, then find a local gym close to your home or work, making it as easy and convenient as possible to work out.

If your problem is treating yourself to too much comfort food, my best advice is to exercise portion control – everything in moderation.

3. FIND A WINTER WORKOUT PARTNER

Find a close friend, health coach or personal trainer who is like-minded and will help you through the cooler season.

Set some winter goals with your workout partner and commit to achieving them; this will keep you on track and motivated regardless of the weather conditions.