Brrrrrrrr!

It's winter women - darkness and cold reign for the next few months.  Does that change things for you?

For many, the dark in the morning - dark after work days of winter can put a dent in motivation.  I think it's pretty common to want to spend more time under covers and less out in the elements.  Your circadian rhythm may also swing towards longer nights' sleep and shorter days' activity.

Here are some thoughts that may help you make the most of the season.

EASY
Go to the gym / take a class!  Indoors it's always light and (hopefully) always warm.  Also, the energy of others can help rev up your motivation...once you get there.  If you have a gym membership but don't make it there as often as you want, here are some suggestions to encourage you:
     Make a plan to meet someone there - few of us are likely to let someone else down
     Put it on your calendar like an appointment - you wouldn't blow off your 5 pm haircut, would you?
     Keep a running tally of cost per day on your fridge / dashboard / Facebook page  :-)  For some,
          seeing the 'value' of your monthly dues divided by the number of days you go can help

INTERMEDIATE
Try a new, winter-oriented activity.  This falls in the 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' category.  Instead of trying to steel yourself to go for a long bike ride in the dark, wind and rain (yuk!), pick up a winter activity:  curling (they even have a club at Lloyd Center), ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, cyclocross.

Get it done early!  If you are one who slows down with the darkness, stack the odds in your favor by exercising early in the day.  Then, if you leave work to the downer of darkness, you can rest assured that your workout is already done.

ADVANCED
Gear up for winter and tough it out!  A headlamp (and more good lights for biking) can illuminate the world enough to keep you safe.  Headlamp soccer is pretty funny too - great for coordination (bad for heading the ball though).  Reflective clothing helps others pick you out - look for Illumilite gear that is retroreflective.  Proper gloves and hats can save a ton of body heat and are well worth the investment.  Ear muff headphones - my favorite accessory.  180s is the brand I have and what an invention - I can run without a hat (makes me too hot too fast) but spare myself cold ears and the headache that comes with icy wind howling through my head.  Smartwool socks - need I say more?  And the list goes on.  Just like in paddling - the gear makes a difference.  If you know you can stay warm and comfortable it's much easier to fathom stepping out the door.

Finally - consider that you do burn a few more calories exercising in the cold.  Your body will be fueling the activity but also the furnace that keeps you warm.  A little more bang for your buck may be well worth it!  Remember, you still need water, sunscreen (if it's light out) and lip balm too.

Now it's time for me to gear up.  Running out of time for a run before work.  Have a great day Amazons!