Motivation in the cold northern states

I can definately understand as I live in Alaska. I take a break in the middle of the day and take a walk, if the wind isn't blowing. An alternative is to go walking at the mall. Get some window shopping and people watching done in the comfort of heat.

I live in Maine and am feeling the same way! I hate being cold! In the summer I am outside all day long and feel amazing. I have access to a weight room and have been doing circuits there. Many nights all I want to do is cuddle up by the fire and take a nap! The thing that consistently works for me is to find a group to workout with. Then, when I don't want to I know they are waiting!

I don't live in the dark cold winter climate as you say, but why not try some body weight or strength training exercises at home? Nerdfitness has a few workout ideas that are completely free. Then you can get your exercise in, AND stay indoors where it would be safe and warm.

Here is a link to the beginner's body weight workout

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

Canada here! I definitely understand where you're coming from. I'm lucky because I can do laps at work in our shop. I do that three days a week (I work from home on the other two days). I do walk outside once and awhile but I can't stand it if my face and ears get cold, instant headache. As for food, yes, we're coming into soup, stew and pasta season! I have soup everyday for lunch, which I've found to be very filling and low calorie. Last night I made spaghetti sauce and turkey meatballs and instead of pasta I put it on Spaghetti squash.

I really do hate winter and this is definitely the time of year where I put on weight. Aren't we suppose to hibernate this time of year?? :-)

I am glad with the time change I can walk in the light at 6 am. I plan to keep walking outside as long as I can but we don't have sidewalks and it gets dangerous once there is snow on the road. I bought a small pedal machine and have my WII for when I can't make it out any more. I will still probably pull on the snow boots and walk around my property. Mall walking is another alternative if you are lucky enough to have one that is close by.

I live in Michigan, and it's pretty much dark by 5:15 now, but the days are still getting shorter! I totally understand you.

It's not quite as cold here as it is there, but I just bundle up. Get a baklava and some good gloves at a running store. As long as it isn't too far below zero with the wind chill, I still walk outside. My plan for this December is to hit some neighborhoods that have a lot of Christmas lights up, and walk those. See the sights, make it an event sort of thing.

I really don't like getting in the car to drive off someplace to walk! It sort of ruins the simplicity of just heading out the front door.

My other tip would be to get a good pedometer like a fitbit. Then try to get in a bunch of extra steps in your day. Park at the far end of the parking lot, just work a lot of extra steps into your day. Then there is not a big push to get out for a long (cold) walk!

And tell yourself you are burning all those extra calories trying to stay warm and trudge through the snow!

As someone who lives in Wisconsin, let me just say that I feel your pain! It snowed here this week, and since it gets dark around 4 or 4:30, walking outside in the windy dark cold air is hardly a fun time. I am not looking forward to a very long, long winter...feel free to add me to your friend list..I am following much the same diet as you are, and had a knee injury in August that is still slowly healing...

stay warm !! terri

I'm just a bit northeast of you in the U.P. of MI. Typically, I bundle up to run outside a bit when it's cold, but before the snow hits. Then, when it gets icy, I do more treadmill work. To mix it up, in the past I have done a variety of DVDs indoors (Jillian Michael's, P90X, or power yoga). When the snow is on the ground and the trails are groomed, I XC ski regularly for cardio work. This year, I've joined a CrossFit gym, which has really kept me motivated on a daily basis far better than anything else has in the past. I typically hit the doldrums after a long summer of running and racing, then get squishy over the winter with intermittent workouts and skiing. I hope to do differently this year! (Oh, and to combat the gray, dreary days of little light, I got a "happy light" UV light that I use for about half an hour each day while working from home.)
I hope you can find something to keep you moving and happy during these long, dark months!

Cold, dark, drap and depressing. I am from Central Alberta and it is Cold most of the time. We have winter for 6-8 months of the year. I have learned to find the fun in winter. Free things to do are, tobogganing, outdoor skating, and snow shovelling. Not free but cheap, indoor skating &skiing at small ski hills. There is snowman building, snowball fights and snow- ball (baseball or football in the snow). I try to get outside everyday to enjoy some fresh air, sometimes the only thing I enjoy is getting back into my warm house. I have a walking partner for the dark evenings, also many fitness centres or hockey rinks have a fee to use indoor walking tracks (in my community it is $20 per year I think). Some people have mentioned DVD's, I have never used one but I think they work from the results I see on here. I have some 8lb weights that I do some arm exercises with, I run on the spot, jumping jacks, jump squats, mountain climbers, burpees, push ups, sit ups, crunches and more with no equipment at all. I hope this helps and good luck in your quest to find the fun.