Oh heeey there! How are you doing today?
My Tuesday started off nice and early with a workout at the gym. It was in the 30s when we awoke this morning and I was awfully thankful that Ryan turned our little space heater on before we went to bed last night.
Dragging myself out of bed at 5 a.m. when our house is cold is 10 times harder than getting out of bed when it’s temperate. I give you northerners a lot of credit for tackling cold-weather workouts. You guys are champs.
Vizslas don’t have an undercoat, so Sadie’s a big baby when it comes to cold weather, too.
She has yet to emerge from bed this morning and created a little cocoon out of the covers for herself.
I wonder if she’s employing the same tactic I used to use during the winter when I was growing up in Illinois? I’d pull my covers up over my head and use my breath to help keep my body toasty in my little bed fort. Warmth!
Where were we? Ah! Today’s workout!
I began my gym session with a 20 minute warm up on the elliptical before heading into the weight room to complete the first workout from Phase 3 of Tina’s Best Body Boot Camp. This workout used pyramid sets to fatigue the muscles and focused on legs and shoulders.
Breakfast
Breakfast this morning was awfully similar to yesterday’s morning meal.
More overnight oats!
Topped with unsweetened shredded coconut.
Of Possible Interest
- 40 Ways to Stay Motivated This Winter (Fitbie.MSN.com)
- 300 Calorie Burning Walk Jog Workout (FitSugar.com)
- Everything You Need to Know about Kale (FitBottomedEats.com)
Question of the Morning
- Do you find it more difficult to motivate yourself to work out during the winter?
- How do you motivate yourself to work out when it’s freezing outside?
Brooke says
This is such a weird question… but where did you get Sadie’s little outfit? My parents dog is just as cold natured and wears “pajamas” ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Ha! This particular style that Sadie is sporting is one of her favorites and I can’t seem to find them anywhere! I got her one at Target during Christmas… but that is the only time I’ve seen them.
And ps. good for you girl, it’s all I can do to workout after work… when it’s even warmer than in the morning! HATE COLD! Ready for summer to HURRY UP!
Melanie says
I actually like going into the gym when it’s cold out! When the summer hits in OH I want to be outside, and do physical activites in the sunshine! Since it’s been snowing here in Columbus, it has made it easier for me to drag my butt to the gym. What else is there to do? 🙂
Brooke says
Sadie in those pajamas kills me! Such a ham!
Cassie @RedLetterDaye says
It’s definitely so much harder to motivate myself to get to the gym in the winter, especially since I can usually only go in the pitch dark, or the frost of the morning. I don’t do outside workouts though. House to car, car to gym, that’s as much as I can stand.
Mary says
Calgary’s temps were in the high 40’s F yesterday. It was fantastic. So many people out running, biking, etc. have a good day.
Michelle Tomes says
I find it extremely hard to motivate myself in the winter time! I just make sure to wear as much of my workout clothes as possible to bed, that way I have no excuse to NOT get up. I’m already dressed to workout, so I better get up! And I make sure to set my coffee pot to be ready by the time I get up for a burst of caffeine pre-workout! 🙂
Beth Sheridan says
It’s funny because I was just talking to my mom about this yesterday! I just started working out again FORCEABLY because living in Western Kentucky it is SO hard to get motivated when it’s cold outside!
That Sadie is just precious!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
I totally agree-sooo much harder to get up when it’s cold!!
Sarah @PickyRunner says
I don’t know how you get up at 5am to work out. Especially if I don’t have to go anywhere, I’m not getting out of bed until at least 8am. Even moreso on cold days!
Julia says
I’m a big baby to the cold. Its sooooo hard to get my self motivated in the winter… to put on all those extra layers and base layers Its like 27 now.. here in Iowa.. sometimes I go outside but I mostly just force my self to go to the GYM!
joelle (on a pink typewriter) says
That photo of Sadie is toooooo cute – made my day!
Ps. Happy Natl Pancake Day! I just shared a yummy pancakes recipe on my blog if you’re interested!
Megan says
I grew up in upstate NY so DC isn’t as bad as it can possibly be. I have definitely seen worst! I 100% find it harder to get outside when it is cold out / I’m chilled so I crank the heat in my bedroom while I’m bundling up and try to forget it is below 30F outside. I manage to stay motivated right now because I have my training schedule on my wall and if I can’t cross off the run I know I’ll feel worse than just being cold for a mil while I warm up! Also I share on my blog my training schedule at the beginning of the week and mark off the runs I need to do so if I have to put “SKIP” instead of “DONE” I would feel like every one down! I have yet to skip a run in the last 4 1/2 weeks of training!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Sadie is too cute for words! I didn’t know you were from Illinois! I’m from Chicago and I definitely made bed forts when I was younger and used my breath to warm me up! Too funny 🙂
Katie @ Balanced RD says
I have a lot more trouble getting up to workout in the winter! I live in Montana…so winter is super cold and lots of snow! I recently got an elliptical for my house so if it looks too miserable outside, I don’t even try! 🙂
Meredith says
It is soooo cold this winter in New York. I can handle running outside still for the most part but when it is beyond frigid, I either hit the gym for Spin class or the treadmill. Lately when I really want to run outside, I warm up inside on the treadmill and then go outside to finish my run.
Mary says
I live in Wisconsin and the winter months last forever…or so it seems. Running outside is difficult with snow and freezing wind chills. I mostly run on the treadmill during the winter months. I find that it’s easier to stay motivated running at a fitness center surrounded by other people that are there for the same reason 🙂 Although I still hate to run on the treadmill.
If I do run outside I will sometimes buy new warm running clothes so that I can test them out to see how warm they are. 🙂
Kelsie says
mmm i love coconut! i’m going to have to try that. thankfully it’s about 70 here in texas today!
new blog post today about running twice a day: http://runningathousandmiles.blogspot.com/2013/02/two-days.html
Anna says
Girl, I feel you on dragging yourself to the gym in the dead of winter. I crank up the heat in my studio so I can trick myself into thinking it’s not so bad outside, but that first blast of cold air kills me every time!!
Stephanie @ My Freckled Life says
I definitely find it harder to work out in the winter, especially since I typically work out in the evenings and it’s so DARK after 5pm! But I usually try and keep myself motivated by trying new things – new classes, new routines, and new programs. Keeps me interested even when the cold is trying to keep my curled up in bed!
Katie says
Hi! I find it hard to stay motivated in the summer more than the winter! I am a new england girl and in the summer there is SO much to do. In the winter its cold and miserable and my schedule really frees up and I actually have time to run. I run outside with my dog when its mild enough and on the treadmills at the gym when its too cold. NO excuses! When I am really feeling un motivated I go out and buy some new running clothes. Nothing makes me want to run more than a cute new outfit to test out!
Jessica says
Working out is the best way to get through winter. To get me up in the morning to workout, I get up when my husband goes to work. His alarm will go off at 5am and then 15 minutes later, so I’ll be awake any ways. I am more likely to run at the gym in the winter as well, it feels good to be in a warm building.
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Get up and put straight on your workout gear….we had our first snow fall here last night. I have sky light windows in my bedroom so all I could see was snow when I woke up! Luckily the over heated house made me want to get out of bed and get moving!
Lauren says
Coffee. Lots and lots of warm coffee.
Kate @ Quarter Century Southern Living says
I was born and raised in Iowa, so moving to Texas was a huge climate change! I much prefer the heat. I have officially become such a cold weather wimp now, 40 degrees and I am bundled for the tundra! My motivation for cold days is usually to go faster so that I warm up more quickly. I must admit, it is harder to get out of our warm bed those mornings!
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom says
I just need to take a time-out and say that I did NOT know you grew up in Illinois. Where at?! I grew up there too, and now live an hour south of Orlando… so we have some similarities there 😀
I forced myself to get outta bed this morning too and went for a run, but my hands and face froze and my knuckles got all cracked and bloody. That’s fun. Surprisingly, when I had to run for 3 weeks in Chicago this winter, I didn’t have any issues running– when I actually got out there. Getting me out of the house was tough, but realizing I have a half marathon coming up is what got me into the Chicago winds. I was always happy that I did it.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
Just had to say that picture of Sadie is priceless. haha!
Audrey Adams says
It takes me longer to warm up in the winter so I find it more difficult to work out.
I love the cold weather to run in because I don’t have to have a heat stroke every time like in the summer (over exaggerating, but Alabama summer weather isnt fun)…but its not very fun to be freezing either…my motivation is always to “just get out the door and begin”…simple. I know that as soon as I begin anything I will keep going.
Sadie makes my day!
Alyssa says
Maryland has been one of the more indecisive states this winter, temperature-wise. It drives me crazy because one morning I’m running in compression pants, yoga pants, thick socks, a thermal shirt, warm running jacket, gloves, and a hat and still parts of me are freezing but then other days I’m sweating in a long sleeve shirt and compression pants. In regards to motivation, I’m a swimmer by nature and history so I’m used to just jumping in and going – usually the rest takes care of myself. What helps me is being prepared – knowing the weather, having my running gear out and staring me in the face, and not even thinking but just getting up and going. I can’t wait for more temperate weather!
– a.
Emily @ FitMamaInTheCity says
Winter is the WORST! I take hot yoga classes in the winter just because it feels so warm and amazing in the studio. After the six block walk to the studio, I always love going in to the warm room
Jessie says
Hi! I live in Buffalo in an old, drafty house. Needless to say when my alarm goes off it can be a little tough to surface from the cozy depths of my duvet. My new years resolution was to switch to a morning workout person, and what helped me more than anything was to put my alarm clock allll the way across my room to force me to get out of bed. If I didn’t do that, I don’t think I would have succeeded in my resolution!
Love your blog, I look forward to my email updates every day (it sheds some light onto the final hour at my desk job) Thank you for being such an inspiration!
Caitlin says
Julie, did you know that today is National Pancake Day?! I missed it too, unless I do a breakfast for dinner thing…
Madeline says
I love in Minnesota and it has been FREEZING! Last week, there were many days of -30 degree windchill. 🙁 definitely isn’t motivating to leave the house, let alone workout!
Amanda @ A Latte Learn says
I’m in Ohio and cold weather workouts are the worst! It makes at home workouts much more appealing but then I get sidetracked by a hot cup of coffee, pajamas, and the couch! 😉
Amy @ Healthy and Fit For Real says
I struggle with motivation when it is super cold here in Minnesota. Recently it’s been below zero (like 15 below) which is miserable. 30 degrees here tomorrow and that sounds awesome to me! 🙂
Babs says
Sadie looks so cute. I love her little jacket. Dogs in clothes always make me smile 🙂 I got a little “top model” top for my in-laws puppy. She was really small (the runt of the litter) and I thought should could use a bit of warmth (and style).
Emily says
Question! When you say 20-minute elliptical warm up, do you follow a specific level/crossramp or just take it easy for all 20?
Your workouts and recipes are an inspiration to me! Thank you! 🙂
cheryl says
in my boston days, i got up at 430 or so to do my w/o….it just worked better with my life. i used a building gym which helped a TON. i also put out my gym stuff in tthe bathroom….i even tucked the prper sock into the shoe (where socks are labeled R and L). I reminded myself that it is MUCH easier to MAINTAIN the routine than it is to restart. Hitting “pause” and taking a break day sometimes is okay. I also love the lack of crowds in the PM;
Joe @ The Frolicking Fells says
My issues with working out in the winter stem mostly from the fact that the streets and sidewalks in Cleveland are covered in snow and ice almost all of the time. Because of this, I think long and hard about going for a run outside unless the temperatures have melted a good bit of the snow and ice on sidewalks. I have hopes of doing the Key West Half Marathon in 2014 but because of the weather here I’m not sure how I’d be able to train successfully for it. I don’t want to get hurt and spend the “prime” months of the racing season trying to come back from an injury suffered when I forced a run in the wintertime. I am blessed to have an indoor track on which to run, but it gets a bit monotonous at times, and the indoor running experience is pretty different from the outdoor running experience in my opinion.
Gitte says
How many calories are in one serving of overnight oats? I estimated nearly 500 from your recipe. Is this two servings or brunch?!
Elizabeth M. says
Sometimes I think Sadie and my pup are twins. She does the SAME thing when it turns cold (and we live in Utah, it gets cold!) Today she went to day camp and we had to dig her out of our bed. She loves it where it’s warm and toasty! I am glad to hear she’s feeling like herself after the surgery! We had a dog who had similar lumps removed and lived to be a happy old dog 🙂
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