Winter time has rolled around, and now, all you want to do is lay in bed, do anything productive and doom scroll for five hours on your phone. After days or weeks of routinely doing nothing, your stamina seems to reduce, your mental health has declined, your energy starts getting lower and your stress is through the roof. This is what happens when you don’t exercise daily.
Exercise is largely taken for granted in today’s world, partially because it is mistaken for only being effective if one adapts rigorous routines, such as going to the gym and lifting heavy weights. Although this is one way to get into shape or maintain physique, it isn’t the only way. Even simply walking outside for an hour everyday can help keep you in shape during the winter months. The reason why everybody needs regular physical activity is because it improves various aspects of your life. A few are improving balance, preventing cancer, strengthening bones and muscles, lowering blood pressure and keeping minds sharp according to cdc.gov.
Here are just a few ways to start exercising daily in order to stay fit as the winter months roll by.
1. GO TO THE GYM
One of the most popular ways to stay in shape is going to the gym. A common New Year’s resolution is to buy a gym membership and start going daily. One of the best things about going to the gym is that you can have your own agenda. There is nobody telling you what to do, when to do it or how to do it. You are able to take control of all of these aspects, and workout in a more comfortable way. Another pro is the proximity. In San Ramon, there are three popular gyms relatively close to all residents of the city: 24 Hour Fitness, Clubsport and Equinox. So not only do you have more than one option, but they are all within a 10 minute drive away from you. However, one downside to going to the gym is the cost. Most gym memberships cost $150 or more per year. This can be pricey for some people, especially if you don’t plan on going almost everyday. Another disadvantage is seeing people you know, or just seeing people in general. While this can be seen as a good thing, interactions with friends or acquaintances can become a distraction that unnecessarily extends a workout. Even just seeing people in general can be a disadvantage, especially if you are an introvert or prefer to workout alone. Additionally there can be long wait times for certain machines if the gym is very busy. Despite these disadvantages, the gym can be an ideal place for people looking to get in shape.
2. PLAY A SPORT
Another way to stay in shape during the winter months is by participating in a sport. Being an athlete is one of the most effective ways to stay in shape. With rigorous year-long training, constancy helps to improve stamina and overall health. A lot of people tend to take this route in general because they’ve stuck with a sport from a very young age. Some benefits of playing a sport include having a more structured routine while being surrounded by motivational coaches and knowledgeable trainers. Each sport has its own specific regime when it comes to training, which is intended to keep you in shape. There is no guessing of what to do because as an athlete, you will have guidance every step of the way. Another benefit is the community. If you play a sport, most of the time you gain a type of family that supports you in your athletic endeavors and motivates you to stay in shape. A lot of people have created lifelong friendships from their sports, and continue being friends past their time on the team. Like before however, there are downsides. One big disadvantage of playing a sport is the high risk of injury. In almost every sport, injuries are present whether they are minor or major, which can pose a threat to one’s health. These can range from cuts to concussions to broken bones and more, which in turn can lead to a decline in mental health. Another disadvantage is the cost, depending on what level you play at or how long of a commitment you have to a team. The cost of equipment tends to be on the higher side for most sports which can prove to be unsustainable for families, especially for long-term sports. Despite the costs and risks of injury, joining a sport provides community and a sense of belonging.
3. GO ON WALKS
The last and most easy way to stay in shape for winter is to go on a walk, or more specifically reach 10,000 steps a day. If you go online, you will see a lot of influencers or websites claiming that getting 10,000 steps a day helps you stay in shape. While this might seem far-fetched, it is true, at least to some extent. One of the best benefits of walking is its versatility and convenience. All you have to do to start walking is take a step outside, sometimes not even that. If you have a treadmill in your house, you can watch television or scroll on your phone while getting adequate exercise. Additionally, walking is easy on the joints for people who are more sensitive, so it’s a great alternative to more aggressive forms of cardio like running or the stairmaster. Another pro about walking is there is no cost. Unlike a gym membership or a sport where you have to pay money, walking is free of charge. On the flip side, one disadvantage of walking is boredom. Walking on a treadmill for hours each day can become boring for someone who might need more stimulation. Walking is less boring when done in nature, but the downside of that is the unpredictable force of weather. Especially in winter, sometimes it might be too cold or rainy, all of which might discourage one from walking. Despite cold weather, going on a walk is the most feasible option.
This is not a definite list for ways to exercise, as there is an endless amount of ways one can choose to workout. All that matters is that you get up and move, especially in the depressing months of winter. It might seem discouraging when it’s gloomy and sad outside, but in order to not feel gloomy and sad on the inside, you have to find the right motivation to do something to get your body moving.
