It is time to reset and perhaps rediscover your fitness goals.

The winter months can make you want to hibernate, tuck up inside and wait until the weather warms before venturing out unless you really have to.

But anything you can do through June, July and August will put you in good stead come spring and summer.

Here are some suggestions to ensure you avoid having a winter of discontent:

Food plan. This is the time of year for hearty soups and casseroles. Plan ahead by making them in bulk to last you through the week for lunches or dinners. Load them full of vegetables.

Join up. This could be a gym membership, running club or signing up for an indoor or outdoor sport.

Enter an event. Make yourself accountable through winter by signing up for a running, walking, swimming, cycling or some other event in a few months' time. Events coming up in our area that may help you keep moving and motivated include Raffertys Coastal Run (a trail event on July 13), Winery Running Festival (July 20-21), The Bloody Long Walk (July 28), City2Surf (August 11), Lake Macquarie Running Festival (August 25), Thunderbolt Classic trail run (August 31), Wollombi Wild Ride (September 7), Tomaree Trail Run (September 22), Fernleigh 15 (October 20) and the Maitland Triathlon (November 10).

Plan a spring break. Maybe you will train for an event out of area which not only provides motivation to keep moving and stay fit but gives you an excuse to have a holiday or mini break. The Gold Coast Marathon is on July 6-7 and also has 5.7km, 10km and 21.1km courses. The Hounslow Class trail run in the Blue Mountains (21.1km or 68km) is September 28-29. The Noosa Triathlon is October 30-November 3.

Month by month. Set yourself small goals, such as monthly ones. This might be walking, running, swimming or cycling (or something else) a set distance over each month, increasing the distance from June to July then August. It might be committing to 10 minutes of exercise each day in June, 20 minutes in July then 30 minutes in August. Another challenge could be plotting strength challenges per month. That is, set yourself a total of squats, push-ups, lunges et cetera to amass over 30-31 days. Know your limits and what you are capable of and go from there.

Take the plunge. Find a winter swimming group to join, such as the Merewether Mackerels, who meet at the Merewether Ocean Baths every Sunday at 8am from May until September to swim.

Write it down. Whatever you choose to do to stay motivated, write it down somewhere to remind you each morning when it is dark and you are mulling over whether to get up or not why you are doing it.

Some other tips for winter include using a headlamp if you are exercising outside in the dark or working out where light is available, layering up and ensuring you continue to drink enough water.

Maitland River Run, Maitland, June 2: A range of distances are on offer, including 4 kilometres, 8km, 12km, 21.1km and the River Maitland Mile. The courses hug the banks of the Hunter River.

The Bloody Long Walk, Newcastle, July 28: A 35-kilometre walk from Belmont to Newcastle beach to raise funds and awareness for Mitochondrial Disease.

Lake Macquarie Running Festival, Lake Macquarie, August 25: Celebrating its 35th year, this running festival offers a range of distances and a good winter training challenge. There is a 21.1-kilometre half marathon, 10.5km and kids 4km.

Finish the season strong with this strength and cardio workout. Add a warm-up and cool-down and adjust to suit your level of fitness. This might be having more rests or substituting a more manageable exercise for a harder one.

Set 1: Squat with shoulder press, push-ups, dead lifts with rows, mountain climbers/standing shuffles, ab rotation with weight. First round complete 90 seconds of each. Round two is 60 seconds each. Round three 30 seconds.

Set 2: 2 x [run/walk 90 seconds, rest 90sec]; 4 x [run/walk 60sec, rest 60sec]; 8 x [run/walk 30sec, rest 30sec].

Set 3: 5min x core work.

Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

Renee Valentine is a writer, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.