It’s about to be that time of year again: all the leaves fall from the trees, the days become shorter and darker, and the temperature begins to drop even more. During this time many of us struggle to stay motivated when it comes to working out, especially when it involved getting out of bed in the morning. It’s just so much easier to stay in sweatpants and watch Netflix. If you’re someone who struggles with staying motivated during the winter time, try these tips for making your winter game plan an easy and attainable one this holiday season:

Set specific goals. Make them clear and straightforward, so they’re easier to achieve. Depending on your level of experience, you may want to try working out four or five days a week for two months straight. If you would rather set goals based on performance, you can try setting landmarks for 50 squats a day, 5 sets of planks, or 25 pushups. Write your goals down on a piece of paper and post it somewhere that you will see it every day––they [whoever they are] say you’re more likely to fulfill your goals when you write them down.

Plan ahead. Once you set your goals, map out what it will take to get there. For example, if you want to try to workout early in the morning, you may need to go to bed earlier and opt for healthier snacks in order to feel more energized. Be aware of the obstacles that could arise, no matter what your goal is, and construct solutions that are doable for your lifestyle.

Join a community. A major part of staying in shape is holding yourself accountable for your actions. Find a workout partner who is just as committed as you are so that you get some extra motivation when you feel like skipping a day. If you feel like flying solo, try some of the fitness classes available right here at Le Moyne in the new fitness center. Yoga, cycling, kickboxing, TRX, and Zumba are all great ways to push yourself in your performance. You may get more out of your workout when you know others are experiencing the same pain you are.

Mix it up every once in awhile. Once you get into a routine, don’t stay there for long! Avoid getting in a rut by constantly changing your exercises. If you love the challenge of a good run but don’t feel like freezing, try the elliptical instead. A change of scenery could spark a whole new excitement for fitness.

Live up to the challenge. Another way to stay motivated is to sign up for fitness challenges. Fitbit often holds “step challenges” that allow you to compete against friends and family to see who will walk the most steps. If you cannot find a challenge program, be creative and make your own. Organize one with your friends or talk to the studio about starting one.

Workout at home. At some point, you will need to find a way to workout at home for convenience. Dorm room space is tight, but you can use YouTube for free yoga, pilates, and body-weight workouts. Even moving around for 10 or 15 minutes is better than nothing.