Eat. Live. Be. #3: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

I used to sing that Dean Martin song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” to Nick when he was a baby; it brings back such fond memories, so it should be no surprise that I named this week’s theme for Eat. Live. Be. The topic, though we’ll all interpret it slightly differently, is how to keep motivated during these cold winter months, and for me, it’s a definite challenge.

Right now, it’s about 20 degrees outside and I just got a call from Nick’s school that they have a 90-minute delayed opening tomorrow because of  snow due to arrive after midnight tonight.  When the winds are so blustery outside that I can hear them from inside my toasty warm house, it’s no wonder I have to give myself an extra push to get out the door to work out.  So how to fight that?

• Try to work out before you go to work in the morning, or right after. I find that once I’m already out of the house, it’s easier to handle making one other stop, than to force myself to leave the house once I’m home.
• Focus on how you feel after the work-out. I feel amazing when I leave the gym, so I try and remember that feeling and force myself out.  That endorphin rush is like nothing else. Nothing.
• On particularly bad days where the snow is so high you can’t open your door, work out at home. Arm yourself with a few of your favorite exercise DVDs or stream them on your computer.  Put together a routine with light weights and go through the paces.  DO IT.
• Make standing appointments to meet work-out partners. Knowing someone else is counting on me makes me extra motivated to leave the house when it’s cold.
• When you get dressed in the morning, put your gym clothes on right away. On the weekends, it’s too easy to get consumed with a To Do List a mile long.  If I put my sweats on right away, it’s a constant reminder to get thyself to the gym.
• Reward yourself. “If I go work out five days this week, I will buy that new book on the bestseller list.”  Work out consistently every day during a winter month and treat yourself to a new blouse or necklace.  Allow your treadmill time at the gym to be the only time you catch up on your favorite Food Network shows.
• And when all else fails?  Countdown the days to Spring. I’m not ashamed to admit that we are totally doing that here.  61 days to go…  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Eat. Live. Be. is a big group effort, so please do check out what motivational tips and keep-warm recipes my fellow ELBers are sharing this week:

• Sarah Caron – www.sarahscucinabella.com
• Maris Callahan – www.ingoodtasteblog.net
• Chris Arpante – www.melecotte.com
• Faith – www.clickblogappetit.com/
• Kristen – www.dineanddish.net
• Emily – http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/
• Jenna – FireMom – http://stopdropandblog.com/
• Casey – http://www.thestarnesfam.com
• Patsy – http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com/
• Tri-Fit Mom – http://trifitmom.blogspot.com/
• Claire – http://cookiedoc.blogspot.com/
• Allison – http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/
• Jen – http://njepicurean.blogspot.com/
• Leslie – www.thehungryhousewife.com
• Rivki Locker – http://www.healthyeatingforordinarypeople.com/
• Claudia – Journey of an Italian Cook
• Jennifer Schulz – http://lick-a-plate.blogspot.com/
• Sarah Rogers – http://sarahssweetcreations.blogspot.com
• Denise and Lenny – http://www.chezus.com

Did you share how to combat the Baby It’s Cold Outside feelings on your own blog?  Add your link below!

Project 365
January 17, 2011, Photo #17

I’m not a big by-the-glass wine drinker. Never have been. But during dinner tonight at a friend’s house, when she opened up a bottle of this, I did manage to do my part. It’s only right.

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