Don’t be tempted to hit the snooze button when it’s cold and wintry outside. Use these motivational techniques to get you going.

The Cold Winter Morning Challenge

Getting up early in the morning to workout can be a challenging endeavour. The challenge increases during the winter months. Not only do you need to wake up and complete your workout, but you have to face the cold as well.

Even though it may seem like an impossible task, there are many ways to motivate yourself to work out on cold winter mornings.

Prepare The Night Before

One way to motivate yourself to work out on cold winter mornings is to have everything ready to go the night before your workout.

Lay out your workout clothes, have your gym bag packed and ready and prepare any shakes you will drink beforehand (if you can). Some people will even sleep in their workout clothes so they can just get up and head out the door.

All of these things will save you time, and give you fewer ways to make an excuse about not getting out the house and working out.

Don’t Hit the Snooze Button

Another way to make sure you leave the house to work out on cold, winter mornings is to change the location of your alarm clock. If it’s close to you, you might be tempted to hit the snooze button one or more times and then just forgo working out.

If you have to actually leave the comfort of your bed to turn it off, it will give you that extra bit of time to convince yourself to work out.

Warm Up Properly Before You Start

If your biggest obstacle is the cold weather, try doing warm up exercises before you leave the house. A few stretches, jumping jacks or just jogging in place will get your body prepared to face the cold. In addition, it will get you energized.

This will make you want to work out. If you have been consistently exercising during the warmer months, it won’t take much for you to get into exercise mode. Your body wants to get the exercise, it’s your mind that is blocking you from completing your workout.

Get Yourself A Workout Buddy

One of the best ways to overcome the block of cold weather is to have a workout buddy. Make a pact with your workout partner, especially during the winter months. You can make a ‘no excuses’ pact, which means you work out no matter what. In this way, you will both be accountable.

If you don’t get up, your buddy will call you and ask you why. If you tell that buddy you just don’t want to work out because it’s cold, he can boost your spirits and tell you all the reasons you need to work out.

It’s also more difficult to make excuses when someone is counting on you. You can also make a plan where you alternate who drives to the gym. These tactics will prevent you from missing workouts.

The Rewards of Making an Effort

Everyone loves rewards. If you need motivation on cold mornings, promise yourself a reward if you complete your workout.

You can reward yourself with a movie after the workout, or if you are working out before going to your job, you can watch that movie after work. You can also reward yourself with a hearty breakfast after completing your workout.

Get a Boost from Energy Drinks

If you take an energy drink soon after waking up, you will be wired. You’ll need to do something to get rid of that extra energy, and only a workout will fit the bill. If you are able to knock back a quick energy drink, you’ll be home free. Nothing will stop you from working out, not even cold weather.

Cold Morning Workouts…Just Do It!

You can give yourself a myriad of excuses not to work out on cold winter mornings, but that won’t help you build muscle or help you get stronger. So make proper preparations the night before your workout, change the location of your alarm clock, warm up before going out and get a workout buddy.

These ideas will eliminate some excuses you might have for rolling over and going back to sleep when you should be working out. When it comes to working out in the winter, the only solution is to just do it.