Springing forward

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/03/2018 (2828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We recently moved our clock forward one hour, which allows us an extra hour of daylight each evening.

As much as I cringe at the thought of losing an hour, especially an hour of sleep, I see this as an opportunity to improve health and fitness.

If you struggled to work out this winter, you aren’t alone. When we don’t have a consistent routine established going into the long winter, we are particularly prone to losing momentum and falling back into old habits. Real long-term fitness is the result of consistent habits over time. Routine is essential, once exercise becomes a regular part of life, motivation becomes a non-issue.

Our circadian rhythms, and all the hormones that control our inner clock, are inextricably linked with light exposure. It is difficult to motivate ourselves to dedicate time to exercise when our bodies are telling us to stay in bed and hibernate. The good news is that the increase in daylight this time of year can have the opposite effect. You can leverage the change of the seasons to your advantage.

Increased daylight and exposure to sunlight triggers the production of vitamin D, and various hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain that decrease stress and enhance mood and motivation. Plus, the longer days make it easier to find time to get to the gym, or to get up early for a run.
Longer days aren’t the only thing to look forward to. Soon we’ll have access to fresh local produce.

It’s tough to eat enough fruits and vegetables when they taste like cardboard, as they often do in wintertime. Spring is a time to plant gardens and reconnect with our food sources by growing our own food or supporting our local farmers.

As soon as the snow melts, we’ll have so many more opportunities to get active outdoors. Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated, and it’s even simpler when the weather is pleasant. It can be as simple as going for a walk or a run, or playing outside with the kids. Taking up an outdoor sport or hobby like ultimate frisbee, baseball, or cycling is an effortless way to get in shape.

Take advantage of the longer days and increased sunlight. As we get closer to spring and summer, the days will get longer and longer, which will give you more time and opportunity to work out. The sunlight and workouts will boost your mood and energy, giving you the motivation to create an exercise routine with staying power.

Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, so that by the time fall rolls around, you will be firmly entrenched in your healthy lifestyle.  

Tania Tetrault Vrga is owner and head trainer at CrossFit Winnipeg. Send questions to her at www.crossfitwinnipeg.com.