Daylight is losing out to darkness and there is a nip in the air. The cold fronts are in full swing. We’ll trudge to work through sleet and snow, departing in darkness and returning home in very similar conditions. Welcome to the British winter, a much more consistent and predictable affair than its ‘warmer’ sibling, the summer.

But the question is what effect has all this seasonal behaviour had on your health and fitness?

If you’ve kept on top of it all then well done, but chances are the above have taken their toll on your body and that toned up torso you were sporting at the beginning of the summer is now looking a little rough around the edge

It’s no secret that many people train to look better, training for aesthetics, as it is called, is no shameful thing. What’s wrong with wanting to look good? That’s why we have our hair cut and styled, buy nice clothes and generally take care of ourselves. It is often the case that people are in the gym working to get that ‘beach body’ training specifically for the summer months so that when the layers come off other people can admire their hard work, for many their body is a canvas.

The problem for many is that they start this pursuit too late on. They give themselves a few months during spring time and wonder why they don’t get the results they desire. This approach is doomed from the start. As mentioned the summer isn’t often the kindest of seasons on the body, but neither is winter. It is far too easy to slump into the couch when the weather is miserable outside. Forgo the gym for a takeaway or give up a run in the cold wet weather for a warming hot chocolate. Now combine the negative effects that behaviour in both seasons can have upon your health and fitness and you have the recipe for a waistline disaster.

The answer is simple, give yourself a head start! I’m a huge advocate of making your health and fitness a priority in your life. Whether you are training for athletic performance or just to look good with your kit off, you’d do best to consistently work on this and not drop the ball for months at a time. That said the next best thing to do is start your campaign early. Instead of just moving from the beer garden into the actual pub (when we are allowed again), swap this out for some time on the treadmill, the cross trainer or brave the weather and head out for a run, you’d be surprised to see just how bracing and refreshing the cold air can be.

Focus not just on the summer of 2021 but think past it to 2022, set yourself goals, short term, midterm and long term ones, where would you like your fitness to be in another year? How would you like to look and feel in two years? These are questions you should ask yourself, and setting goals can keep you motivated and on track.

Use the upcoming weather to your advantage. Keep yourself warm through hard work, set yourself goals, challenge and push yourself. Summer will soon swing around again and you’ll look and feel better than you ever have due to working hard through the winter months. Don’t just wish away the colder months, embrace them and get to work on becoming the best version of yourself that you can be.

Here at The Fitness Suite we work all year round to keep our clients healthy and happy no matter the season.