Hibernation mode is over and it can be a doozy to readjust. This is a sponsored post with the Niche Parent Network & Conference. All opinions are my own. I am by no means a fitness professional, but I thought I would share some tips that have worked for me. The polar vortex and never-ending winter really did a number on me this year. It's time to take the right fitness steps for a happy and healthy spring!
20 Fitness Tips to Come out of Hibernation Mode
- Try on your spring clothes. Or, if you really want to get crazy, try on a bikini. This definitely showed me the damage I did over the winter.
- Buy a different veggie every time you go grocery shopping. Same with fruit. This is a great way to slowly introduce new healthy foods into your diet.
- Get outside. Just breathing in that fresh air can be motivating.
- Soak in some sun. Nothing beats that natural Vitamin D that the sun provides. In moderation, soaking up some rays can be extremely therapeutic.
- Seek help. Consulting weight loss programs or weight loss clinics can be educational, motivating, and life changing.
- Grab a friend. Exercise is more fun with a friend. Create a buddy system where you challenge and motivate each other to stay on track.
- Google it! There are so many weight loss tips and weight loss tools available these days. Knowledge is just a click away.
- Mood music. Update your playlist with songs that make you want to move. Sometimes just playing it as I put my workout shoes on amps me up to really get going.
- Move more. Just be active in everything you do. Butt squeezes in your office chair, squats while folding the laundry, air punches while waiting for water to boil – just shake it.
- Fire up the grill. For us, meals change once we get the grill going. We love to grill lean meats and lots of veggies. Cheesy casseroles are retired and lighter foods are on the menu.
- Prepare healthy snacks. Take at least one day of the week to spend a chunk of time cutting fruits, veggies and other healthy snacks. Make them easy to grab for snacks throughout the week. Having them ready is key.
- Brush your teeth more often. Clearly, great for oral hygiene, but also can help you stop eating.
- Reward yourself with non-food rewards. Once you complete a goal, get yourself a pedicure or a new outfit – not a sundae.
- Set realistic goals. Mini-goals that can be achieved somewhat quickly are more likely to keep you going. If you overwhelm yourself right away it can scare you right off your path.
- Avoid trigger foods. I know people always say, “You can still have your favorite foods, just in moderation”. Well, for me, that doesn't work so much. My first bite of ice cream can lead to a full blown frenzy. So, I am better off just avoiding it for a while!
- Social media. “Like” a bunch of motivating pages on Facebook. Seeing quotes and pictures of inspirational messages in your feed can help set the right tone to your day. Also, create an amazing “fitness board” on Pinterest.
- Put workouts on your calendar. You don't find time to workout, you make it. Add exercise to your calendar and keep it like a hot date.
- Listen to your body. For some people the perfect breakfast is oatmeal, for some it's eggs. Not everyone is the same and we all respond differently to foods.
- Take it slow. Don't do a crash diet or anything drastic. Just go at your own pace and try to make the small changes part of your lifestyle.
- Journal. Write down how these changes made you feel. Most likely you will have a lot more energy and feel better than you did during your hibernation mode!
These are just a few fitness tips that are slowly helping me come out of hibernation mode. Do you have any to share? I'd love to hear them in the comments.
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Kathleen Garber says
These are GREAT tips. I really like the teeth brushing one and social media one, never thought of those! I really need to get in shape!
Barb W. says
Thanks for the great tips! I totally need this list right now, with the long winter, I’m still in hibernation mode. Gardening is a great motivator, too. Once I start digging in the dirt and prepping plants, it truly feels like spring!
Amy Desrosisers says
I love these tips! I think starting out slow is very important when it comes to delving into a new fitness plan.
Dominique says
I love the Get Outside tip! That’s what helps me the most!
Jenn @TheRebelChick says
Are you a mind reader? I really, really struggle with exercising and finding the motivation! Thank you for these tips, I will put them to good use…hopefully! LOL!!
daisy says
I’m coming out of hibernation mode. I have been waking up at 6am every day for the past couple of weeks to ride my bike and it feels awesome!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Great tips, I need to be rid of this winter sloth! I’ve been getting more sun and walking more and that’s helped a ton! I feel better too!
Emily reid says
Great timing now that the weathering is warming up!
Kristen @ My 3 Little Kittens says
Fabulous list! I am just starting to eat better and will sooooooo use this to get out there and get some exercise!
Stacey @ miscfinds4u.com says
I needed this today! I need a kick in the butt. All great tips!
Keikilani says
This is such a fabulous list! I know that I have suffered from the winter hibernation! Working hard at getting back to healthy weight.
Ellen Christian says
Exercising with a friend can be a big help. I’m so glad warmer weather is here.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
I would have never thought brushing your teeth could help you stop eating but if you think about it it really does make sense!!
I love all these great tips 🙂 I’ll definitely have to implement a lot of them to kick my butt in gear!
Sandra says
I love this list and totally needed it. A good reminder to get out and run! lol.
Clair Boone says
I am so NOOOOOOOOOOOT trying on a bikini right now! lololol! The polar vortex was awful in Chicago. Now grilling season is here you’re right and we eat a lot more veggies! Thanks for the tips!
Jennifer says
HAHA! I hear ya!! I am in Chicago, too! 😉
Amber Edwards says
Brilliant ideas! Especially trying on spring clothes. Yeah, I just did that. Nothing fit. /sigh. Gotta get my rear end outside more and moving.
Amanda A says
great tips. Yes putting on the spring clothes makes you realize you need to get back on that treadmill. lol
Angela S says
I am really struggling to get active after winter. Thanks for the tips!
brett says
me too. oh, am i ever struggling.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What wonderful tips! I will have to try them, thank you!
Kelsey Apley says
I am on the journey and these tips will really help!!! THank you so much!!
Pam says
Great tips! I really need to get back on track with my exercising.
Krista says
I love the journal idea! Thank you!
Linette says
I’m in full hibernation mode every winter, but this winter was crazy cold, so my hibernation was in overdrive! I’ve been soaking up the sun the last few days! Love the try a new veggie idea!
Dawn Lopez says
Loving these ideas! Been trying some of them myself. It’s finally warming up so we’ve been sneaking in some outdoor activities!
Nicole B says
I love how I was excited to read the list and #1 reads: try on a bikini. YIKES! Yep, it’s good to start with the scary one that will give me the most motivation to work out this spring! LOL I love all your ideas, very useful list.
Dawn says
We love going to the flea market to get our fruit and veggies. All kinds of people show up with what they have grown in their gardens. You can get a huge variety that way, too!
Liz Mays says
I love, love, love your idea of buying a different veggie and/or fruit each time you shop. I’m going to do it!
Greta says
I need some tips to kick my rear into gear.
Sarah @ Must Have Moms says
The first one is motivating enough to push me right through the rest of the list. Yikes, moment of truth!
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
Ohhh, I so needed this. I am starting off with a healthy breakfast and I am not going to give in to cravings. Nothing feels worse than having too much junk in your system.
Francine @ Teresa's Family Cleaning says
These are great tips for me to use right now as I try to get healthy!
Marina says
Music always get me pumped up and moving!!