You ready? I know you're excited to hear this ;)
My theory, which is one I most definitely did not come up with on my own and has been mentioned numerous times on blogs and in health magazines and most likely on t.v and probably even from your own mouth discussing it with someone... But my theory is this:
As the seasons change so too does our exercise routines, either subconsciously or consciously.
Now I'm not blaming the changing seasons on the reason why I no longer run 2 hours at a time for around 20km, no, I stopped doing that because I was crazy and my body simply could not cope with that. I'm saying that the changing of seasons seems to have an effect on our bodies and the type of movement said bodies wish to do in order to make us feel good and healthy.
Of course there's obvious things that the changing of seasons produce that affect our exercise routines, like the earlier rising sun in Summer and the shorter, darker (often wetter and stormer) weather of winter determining whether or not we spring out of bed for an early morning workout.
Ah no, I don't believe so.
* I just wanted to add in a side note here; when I went out for an early morning run a couple days ago (it's winter here in Aus BTW) it was pitch black and I think my younger self's fear of the dark started to creep back in as I pounded the deadly silent pavement when the stars were still out shining!
Ok back to topic. So yes, the weather and the Suns antics will definitely affect when we would rather exercise, but on top of that I believe the body can sense the changing seasons and as a result changes our moving needs. I've noticed as the seasons have shifted into cooler, darker, winter that my body requires extra rest. I feel and look my best with a decrease in the exercise I was doing throughout Summer. It's almost as though my body knows I need extra energy to keep my internal body temperature constant and keep me from hyperthermia:) it might even know that my body needs to rest and rejuvenate before the summer sun returns and I'm out and about with exercise as well as all the other fun summer stuff! ( swimming, walking, riding bikes etc.)
As well as a subconscious reduction in my exercise routine (I seriously didn't notice the reduction until a few days ago, when I had a memory of all the moving I would do in the summer time) I've moved from predominantly outdoor running, to predominantly tread mill running ( no darkness in the gym!) which would usually make me a little upset and frustrated but now I'm grateful that I can still get my heart rate up without catching a cold :).
I think it's an interesting concept and one of my favourite articles about it can be found here if you're still a little confused ( let's face it, I'm still unsure if there is any scientific evidence behind it... However similar scenarios are found in nature through the hibernation of animals during the winter etc.) or even just look at your own life and movement changes with the seasons.
Some interesting posts I found regarding this idea can be found here, here and here.
So instead of trying to fight the (seemingly natural) change in exercise my body is seeming to respond to, I'm going to embrace it and acknowledge that my body's needs change just like the seasons do year round! :)
What about you?
Do you find with a changing of seasons comes a changing in your exercise routine?
Do you enjoy outdoor running year round? I know the majority probably don't (me included) but I'm sure there's someone out there who loves running in the rain!
Would you ever divert to the treadmill in place of an outdoor run? There was a period in my life where I simply could not bring myself to mount the dreaded treadmill, but give me a book or my iPad and I'm good to go!
That's it from me this fabulous Friday, just splurging out the thoughts in my brain. As usual. Have a great rest of your day and get excited- it's almost the weekend!! Bye! :D
