After enjoying a Summer of sunshine and alfresco workouts, the nights are drawing in for many of us. The colder, shorter days of Autumn and Winter have arrived and as well as the changes going on outside, there are changes that go on inside our bodies in response to the seasons.

Mood and motivation are the first things we commonly notice taking a bit of a dip. Seasonal shifts in mood caused by the change in light cycles can mean we feel a little low and this in turn affects our diet and eating habits which can cause unwanted weight gain. Read on for some key tips to combat the change-in-season slump.

Stay Committed to Working Out

For the less hardy of us, darker, colder, rainy days are harder to get motivated to exercise, especially if your workout of choice is to hit the road for a run or cycle. You might even be tempted to put off a trip to the gym if you simply can't face heading out into the elements. This is when online training really comes into its own. Being able to do your workout without having to leave home or get wet and muddy (unless you like that liked of thing) is a game changer. There is an abundance of online training now of every sort, from ballet fitness like Sleek to Hiit and yoga. All are designed to be done in a compact space with little or no equipment. If you need accountability you can even log into live online classes with an instructor in real-time to motivate you through.

What Type of Workout Should I be Doing?

Even if you don't have much space or equipment at home that doesn't mean you can't get a complete workout. Focussed mat workouts using your own body weight as resistance are super effective in building strength and tone in your muscles and mixing 2-3 cardio sessions into your weekly regime you will burn calories and also boost your metabolism.

Eat More Carbs

As the season changes from Summer to Autumn, it’s a good idea to increase your carbohydrate intake a little. We are not talking about more cakes, bread and biscuits though. The Autumn and Winter months can cause many of us to experience a mild form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Adding more carbs to your diet such as sweet potatoes and whole grains like rye, spelt and bulgar wheat drives tryptophan into your brain where it is converted into the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin and helps see off the seasonal mood slump. Another benefit to this? Your energy levels will be higher so you will have more energy to exercise. 

Supplement Vitamin D

Vitamin D - even during the summer months many of us don’t get enough of the stuff so adding a daily supplement will your help your body maintain optimum blood levels when it is less able to convert the vitamin from sunlight. Vitamin D is so important for bone health, weight loss and immune function which is even more important as the cold and flu and covid season hit us.

Feel good Body Confidence

Finally, as the end of the year looms, party season starts. You may have a work event, family gathering or Christmas party you want to look your best for. Sticking to regular exercise will certainly ensure your body is in the best shape possible but self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical exercise, especially as the seasons change. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that trigger a positive feeling in the body. That euphoric feeling you experience when you’ve completed a workout can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook. So you’re ready to enjoy the party wearing whatever takes your fancy!

Our best advice is little and often with your exercise. Find a workout program that suits you, and that sets out a realistic level of commitment and time (15 to 30 minutes a day is optimal) You can get started with a FREE selection of workouts HERE.

Keep warm and well this Winter

V&F x