4 Quick Ways to Get Motivated This Spring

March 1st, 2011 | Posted in Fitness tips | 2 Comments » | Share this article

It’s here — the temperatures are rising and we’ve already had our daylight savings time. Spring is traditionally the season when people start to think about fitness again (unless you count January 1st and “resolution season” as an official season).

Here are 4 ways I get motivated every spring!

Daylight Savings Time

Sure, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but just the fact that there’s an extra glorious hour of sunlight (or at least daylight) in the evenings can make a huge difference on how we feel. You don’t need to be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder to notice it, either.

And it really does change things — that’s one more hour you have to go out running while it’s still light out, one more hour to take a refreshing walk around the neighborhood, one more hour before nighttime hits and it feels like the day is winding down.

And the greatest part? The days keep getting longer and longer from here on in — it doesn’t turn around until June! Yeah, I know, daylight savings time has been around forever, but it’s something we sometimes forget to appreciate when it happens!

Spring Cleaning (No, Seriously!)

Especially for those of you who don’t like the idea of spring cleaning, think of it through this framework, instead — treat all of your big cleaning sessions as full-scale workouts.

Don’t do it piecemeal, don’t come to it with a frustrated, negative mindset — instead, take advantage of the fact that you need to do this stuff by turning it into a way to get active.

Stretch beforehand. Change into your workout clothes. Blare some great music. Set yourself a 2-hour time limit. And then really put your body into the work and treat it for what it is — a real workout!

Those Almost-Summer Days

You know those days when it suddenly feels like summer, 3-4 months early? Consider those “preview” days for what’s to come, and get your body into “preview” mode too — take immediate advantage of those crazy, miracle-weather days and get out there and remind yourself what summer is really like!

These ones don’t come along too often, but they’re perfect for getting you into that “ready anytime” mode that helps so much when you’re trying to get in shape.

The End of Your “Winter Body”!

It happens to the best of us. Whether it’s the holidays, the cold, the fact that it’s just harder to walk out your front door with less mental baggage if you live in a cold climate — whatever your reasons — there is most definitely a “winter/summer” body cycle that a lot of people go through.

While I want everyone to focus on year-round, complete fitness that’s sustainable, I’m also realistic — I know spring is the time when you start paying more attention to getting ready for the upcoming beach season, the moment when whatever you’ve been neglecting all winter suddenly comes speeding back to the top of your to-do list.

And while this cycle can be crazy for a lot of people — getting them into a panic-mode that isn’t the right way to approach fitness, for others, it’s a great motivational tool just because the opportunities to get out in the fresh air and move around are so much greater in the springtime.

What Do You Love About the Spring?

Winter is almost gone! Temperatures are up all over the place, and people are getting active and getting out — tell me the one thing that really signals spring for you, especially when it comes to getting in shape!

2 Responses to “4 Quick Ways to Get Motivated This Spring”

1. ISABEL says:

   March 11, 2011 at 6:15 pm

   Hi JNL i want to let you know that i already have my gymbos interval timer, and you amazing book Fitness Model Diet!, you are a veru good inspiration to me, you are fabolous! and i want to doy excercise to be healthy and in the best shape of my life, i know is hard but not imposible!
   !!
   continue rocking!!

   im from Mexico, Isabel =)

   Reply
2. Vanessa says:

   March 16, 2011 at 3:14 pm

   The Arnold!!!! I know spring is right around the corner every year, when I start hearing about the Arnold Classic. After the winners are announced and I start seeing all the pictures and articlea I really get my butt in gear. These athletes are inspiring!

   Reply