Let’s be honest – getting out the door to exercise in winter is hard. It’s darker, colder, and your doona starts to feel like the comfiest place on Earth. But movement matters – not just for your body, but for your headspace too.

Here are 5 ways I keep myself going when motivation dips:

1. Keep it ridiculously simple

You don’t need a new workout program or fancy gear. I stick to the same 4–5K loop most mornings and finish with a few basic lifts in the gym. Some days it’s legs, some days it’s arms. That’s it. Simple = sustainable.

2. Lay everything out the night before

I think about this often - make good habits easy and bad habits hard.. I put my tights, socks, jumper and shoes out where I can see them. The less thinking I have to do in the morning, the better. It turns the “ugh” into automatic.

3. Make it part of your morning routine

I’ve realised that if I don’t carve out time for myself early in the day, it probably won’t happen later. So I treat my morning movement like brushing my teeth — non-negotiable and always worth it.

4. Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset

You don’t need to “smash” a workout every day. Some mornings I’m out the door for 10 minutes and that’s enough. The habit of showing up matters more than the length or intensity.

5. Remind yourself how good it feels afterwards

When it’s freezing outside, remind yourself that movement is the fastest way to warm up, clear your head, and feel like yourself again. Future-you will always thank you for it.

If you’re in a rut, I hope this helps you feel less alone — and more empowered to move in a way that feels good (not forced). Start small, keep it simple, and trust that momentum builds one walk, run or squat at a time.

You’ve got this.