How to become that person who exercises in the cold and dark.

A Stanford study found that folks who believed they had a higher degree of self-control actually made choices less aligned with their goals.

The key to reaching your fitness goals and staying on target is not to rely on willpower, but rather to make a fitness identity. this will be done in two steps:

The first step is to get out of your own way by changing your perception of exercise and aligning it with your values. The second step is to seek out a personal trainer who shares the same values as you and who will motivate you along the way.

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This article is an advice column to help people struggling with exercise in the cold and dark.

Exercise outdoors in the winter is hard. it is a struggle to get yourself out of bed, layer up, go outside and run in the cold dark morning hours. But if you give yourself a replacement identity as an "exerciser", it's going to be easier to come up with excuses not to exercise than it would be if you were a "non-exerciser".

This article lays out how a simple mind change can help people become that person who exercises in the cold and dark.

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Nina features a goal to become that person who exercises in the cold and dark. Her idea is predicated on the idea that willpower is overrated, what you would like is a new fitness identity – these experts confirm it’s easier than it sounds

Nina wants to be that one that has a morning early-morning run in the cold. She remembers when she was in college and exercise was her identity.

Then there was a time when she had kids, got divorced and placed on weight. Now Nina wants to urge back to being an exerciser and this time, she’s visiting do it with all her might.

She starts by visiting the gym first thing in the morning before work. She works out like an animal with focus and determination. It makes her feel good, on the other hand one day, while she's running on the treadmill, Nina falters when she sees her daughter smiling from behind the glass wall of the gym lobby.

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Symptoms of the fitness psychological state are everywhere. A 2014 survey found that only 20% of individuals feel confident about their fitness regimen. And with the long, dark winter days ahead, it can appear to be there’s not much to look forward to.

But what if there was how to get your exercise fix from the comfort of your home?

Here are 3 ways that could help you acquire a new fitness identity:

1. choose a swim!

If you've got a pool at home and a trusty pair of goggles, you’re ready for one of the easiest exercises around – and it’s typically done in warm water (though be aware that some indoor pools might be heated). And if you do not have access to a pool, those goggles can double as scuba gear!

2. Get some cardio on the slopes!

For those with access to mountains or ski slopes, try taking advantage

A group of friends was staying in a cabin in the Rockies for the weekend. They were all skiing and snowboarding every day and enjoying the snowy break from their normal, everyday lives.

There were two couples, each married to a different member of the other couple.

When one of the husbands is skiing down a steep hill, he falls and breaks his ski poles. He accidentally slides across the snow and into his wife who is skiing on the other side of the slope. She is taken off her feet by the collision, but luckily she doesn't take any major injuries from it.

The other husband wanders over to help her up, since she seemed like she was in shock from what had just happened- not moving or responding to any stimuli. Suddenly they start kissing each other passionately and they get back on their feet, leaving their respective partners standing there alone on either side of the slope!