During the cold winter months it can be quite difficult to find the motivation to get out and do some exercise. Whilst there are strategies that you could apply, the fact is that training outdoors in winter is much different than in summer; the ground is damp, fog is about, cold winds and just plain uncomfortable. Short days can put you into a hibernated state, so training sessions in the gym after work when it’s already dark can be difficult to get up for. So when the spring months are approaching and the weather is getting warmer, sun shining and the smell of freshly cut grass is about; the time is here to get moving.

Set a Goal and Plan
If we fail to plan then we plan to fail. Training with a purpose provides much more enjoyment and fun. Turning up to every training session with the invigorating feeling of chasing a goal provides much more purposeful training. Sit down and ask yourself; what do I really want to achieve? It may be a specific fitness goal, or a health related target or even an aim to participate and win a sporting event. Whatever your goal, sit down and write it on paper, look at it and engrain it into your thought processes. You must be personally content, but treat your goal as a journey which can only be attained with solid determination; you will require both of these ingredients to facilitate sustainable results. Once you have done this then set a plan as to how you are going to achieve your goal.

Build a Base
All good and functional fitness training programs will begin by building a base. Progressive overload is vital, however to facilitate this you must first begin at a level of work which suits your current level of fitness. When first starting out, the precise structure of your training will not be so vital, and more importance should be placed on simply getting active and slowly increasing your general volume and intensity.

Seek Advice
When a person is not feeling well what do they do? They see a doctor! If you really want to achieve your targets then you should seek the advice of a fitness professional. A personal trainer should have the knowledge and experience to assist you towards achieving your targets. However you should select your personal trainer with caution. Ask them what their training philosophy is, if they cannot automatically give you a clear and concise answer then how can they guide a ship with no rudder. Additionally, research a fitness training related question which you already know the answer to and ask it to your potential personal trainer; if they know the answer then that’s great, but if they don’t know the answer and make one up which is incorrect, then you have to ask yourself is it worth the risk paying this person to handle my fitness training. In this situation a good personal trainer will state that they do not know the precise answer, but can investigate it if you like; we all do not know everything. If personal training does not suit your personality or lifestyle then study up about fitness training information. Academic literature is recommended over commercialised advice.

Capitalise on your Progress
Once you have started your fitness training program and advanced through several weeks of training you must recognise it as an opportunity to progress. Use your training diary or notes as a source of motivation; as this is a history of the training that has been completed. You must capitalise on your progress. If you do this you will not need to become active after a stationary winter next year, as you will be already moving!