OK, put your hands up… who struggles to get up in the morning during these cold winter months? And to be honest we can’t really complain because we’re lucky enough to have beautiful winters on the Gold Coast, but we know not all of Australia is as lucky as us!.

Keeping on track with your health and fitness goals during winter can be a challenge, but we’ve put together some helpful (and proven) tips to knock out those excuses! When summer comes around, you’ll be thanking yourself for pushing through and looking after yourself.

Set a goal
Ever heard the quote ‘Summer Bodies are made in the winter’, well that’s definitely true! There’s nothing like setting a goal to work towards, to keep you on track and focused with getting that end result. When setting a goal, make sure it’s achievable, if you’re not a morning person try exercising in the afternoon or at nigh time. Start off by setting a goal to get to the gym or move your body 4 times a week, when you achieve that you can reward yourself with a new outfit, massage or manicure.

Take advantage of soup season!
Soups are super easy to make and a great way to nourish the body with plenty of vegetables-your body will thank you for all the vitamins & minerals. You can make a big batch for the week and portion it out. Keep the leftovers stored in  the freezer for those nights you don’t have time to cook. Side note- our Maple Bacon Coconut Chips taste delicious topped on homemade potato and leek soup, you can easily replace the dairy cream to coconut milk for a delicious vegan friendly recipe.

Train with a partner
Training with a friend or personal trainer is the best way to stay motivated and increase your accountability. If you know that person is relying on you, you’ll be less likely to skip a session, plus it’s always more fun working out with a partner! If you really want to take it to the next level, make a pact that the person who skips a session has to shout the other lunch!

Workout without even leaving home
We’re lucky enough to live in the world of the internet and have all the resources in the palm of our hands. There are plenty of amazing workout apps you can download on your phone to do a workout at home without requiring any equipment. If you have a smart TV you can also find home workouts on YouTube such as Pilates, yoga, boxing, body weight exercises and more.

Deck out your active wear
You know when you buy a new dress and you just can’t wait to go out and wear it? Well work out gear is the same! If you invest in some quality winter active wear, you’ll not only be ready to tackle the cold but the expense should motivate you to put that hard earnt cash to good use!

Prepare the night before
If you’ve decided mornings are going to be the time to work out, preparing the night before will make it a lot easier for you to get up. Place your active wear next to your bed and your gym bag, keys and shoes by the door. If you’re one to snooze, have your phone or alarm on the other side of the room, giving you no choice to wake up (unless you want to hear that dreaded alarm noise all morning!). We also recommend making an epic playlist filled with your favourite up beat tunes to get you pumped!

Embrace it
Lastly, just embrace it. Although splashing at the beach or tanning by the pool isn’t exactly the perfect winter activity, take time to relax and rejuvenate with hot bubble baths, scented candles and herbal teas. Don’t forget to rest and recover in between training sessions, rugging up on the couch with a Blue Dream Super Latte and a good movie is always good for the body and the soul!