Darker evenings, dropping temperatures, and if like us you’re UK based, no doubt endless rain. It doesn’t bode well for that post-summer workout motivation, which is no doubt already wilting, does it? We get the struggle, honestly, but hear us out. The autumn/winter months are actually the best time to hit the gym with a bang and meal prep until you’re sick of the sight of tupperware, Why? Let us explain… why-autumnwinter-is-the-best-time-to-train THERE’S NO PRESSURE TO GET LEAN ASAP, AFTER ALL, IT’S A (LONG) PROCESS It's as simple as that, unless of course you’ve gone and booked yourself a cheeky winter break in the sun, in which case you may need to consider dropping the cake and upping the HIIT. But, for those of you who have zero holiday plans for the forseeable future, we've got your back and a pretty cracking proposition. Just think about this, its April and summer is around the corner. Its shorts weather, god forbid even swimwear weather, and you’re yet to begin your fitness journey, because once again, the Christmas and Easter treats got the better of you. How about we avoid that altogether, and get way, way ahead of the game? Use September to January to get as lean as possible and 100% beach ready for when the summer returns next year. You can thank us later. BRING ON THE BAGGY, COSY CLOTHING AKA, the blanket which conceals the incredible body to be unveiled in early 2017. If you decide to get fit over summer, you’re spending each day in summery clothing which perhaps can reveal those bits you desperately wish you could get rid of. Some people may use this as motivation to work harder, but others may catch a glimpse in the mirror and think “nope, not worth my time. Nothing is going to change so what’s the point.” Now how about this. You end summer feeling a little unhappy about your weight or body shape, and before you know it, out come the jumpers and coats. Bam. Now is your chance to get serious about this, so that by the time they go away once again, there you are with a figure to be admired, ready to show it off to the world. THE WEATHER (IT’S MORE BENEFICIAL THAN YOU THINK) Yes, it may be cold and slushy out, but that’s an awful lot easier to work out in as opposed to searing, thirty degree plus temperatures. Picture this. You head out to the gym in the snow or go for a jog in the drizzle, it’s gross, but when you get home you’ve just earned yourself a beautiful bubble bath, cup of tea, and every excuse to get into your comfy loungewear for the rest of the day. Surely that beats getting home, sweating like a pig in a sauna, not knowing where to sit or stand in fear of melting into the floor, are we right? THE PERFECT REASON TO SAY “NO” TO THE DREADED XMAS BINGE Sorry to mention Christmas (though did you know it’s only just over thirteen weeks away?), but it’s got to be said. Raise a hand if you’ve ever got to 1st December and thought “what’s a few weeks of chocolate, gingerbread, roast dinners and mulled wine going to do?” Err, actually quite a lot. The odd day you can get away with, and we all deserve a break, but anything longer than a week is going to get our of hand. If you get carried away, no doubt come January you’re going to feel slightly bloated and slightly regretful, unless of course you have the willpower of a champion and can bounce back within no time at all, in which case we salute you. All in all, the autumn/winter months really are the optimum time to reduce the sugar, up the workout intensity and load up with lean meats and veggies. After all, nothing beats the thought of standing poolside on holiday being the person that makes others wish they'd started sooner, does it?