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Celebrity Personal Trainer and Special K enthusiast, Michelle Bridges, has heard the excuses for not staying active in winter all too often, and has some tips to help Aussie women maintain their shape in the chilly winter months...

Michelle Bridges’ tips to help increase winter motivation levels

In a recent Galaxy Research, it has been revealed that

• 9 out of 10 women face the prospect of putting on weight this winter
• Chilly air bites as 59% blame the cold weather for avoiding exercise
• 34% of women who are generally just too tired to exercise in winter
• Comfort food cravings lead to 45% eating unhealthily
• Gen Y hardest hit by winter blues (92%)

Celebrity Personal Trainer and Special K enthusiast, Michelle Bridges, has heard the excuses for not staying active in winter all too often, and has some tips to help Aussie women maintain their shape in the chilly winter months:

If you are part of the 59% of women blaming colder temperatures for not exercising, then…

• Welcome a new wardrobe: Braving a winter morning in skimpy summer gear is no-one’s idea of fun, so get yourself a new winter training wardrobe! Invest in some warm accessories, like a beanie, and if you’re a regular exerciser, it will probably be time for some new runners, and if you run, it definitely will be! Be sure to get them properly fitted.
• Do the robot: Lay out your training gear before you go to bed. This means you can switch into ‘robot mode’ – getting dressed and out of the door without really thinking about it too much – thereby reducing the likelihood of talking yourself out of training.
• Plan ahead before bed: Always know exactly what training you will be doing the following day before you go to bed. If you don’t have your workout planned you increase the risk of negotiating yourself out of it.
• Don’t hide from the outside: Train outside as much as possible. Getting out in the sun (if it’s around) helps to keep your spirits up and your weight down.

If you are part of the 34% of women who are generally just too tired to exercise in winter, then…

• Buddy up: Find someone to train with over winter that has similar goals to you. When it’s dark and cold you can help motivate each other. Try posting a notice on your gym or community notice board, or check out some of the boot camps and training groups in your area.

• Do the loop with a group: Join a running or cycling club. Not only are both of these activities great for weight management, they both generally have early morning weekend events that keep you on the straight and narrow the night before!