it’s time to face the music…winter is BACK!

Hi there LWFY friends, welcome back!

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but it’s time to face the music…winter is BACK! For those of us who live in parts of the country where winter is really winter (sorry Florida, you’re out) this magical season can be a big workout obstacle. When the weather is warm, it’s a heck of a lot easier to throw on your gym shorts, tank top, and roll on out the door to hit your exercise. You can ride your bike to the park, play some tennis, or just go for a run.

When I moved to New York City over 6 years ago, I remember the fear of the impending winter blues and the dreaded effect it was going to have on my exercise regimen. Aside from the fact that for the first time since I began managing my weight, exercising outdoors was pretty much not going to be an option for many months out of the year. There was also going to be the added grief of having to pack a gym bag with extra heavy with outerwear, and dry clothes to wear home after getting sweaty; things I never had to do before I moved to the Northeast. I’ve learned to handle it, and like most things in life, it isn’t as difficult as I anticipated. (I’ll tell you what never goes away, that feeling you get when it’s cold outside and dark by 5pm, and you just want to get home, put the heater on, throw on your pj’s and eat! Let’s be honest!)

After ten years of fitness and managing my ideal weight, I can tell you almost 100% of the time the answer to any issue you’re going to face (when it comes to obstacles) is unequivocally: willpower. The desire to achieve your goal must overcome any desire to skip the gym or eat the wrong foods. I am pretty hardcore and I stick to this rule! I will not fault you if there is a day where you just simply do not want to do it. (Although these are often the days when you need it the most! I have never said to myself, “If only I hadn’t worked out today!” Except for that one time I tripped and fell down the stairs after yoga and broke my toe; damn it!) If you’ve had one of those winter days, and you’ve decided to throw in the towel, then go on home and put on those pj’s and enjoy yourself. DO NOT binge, maintain your healthy eating. The next day, you begin again, rested and ready.

Remember that the winter season lasts a long few months, so this freebie I’m letting you have is a one-time deal. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “You’ve got to want it to get it, no one is going to hand it to you.”  Weight loss can be achieved by anyone, in any season, in any state. The bottom line is that you have to believe in yourself and know that by continuing to follow my advice, eat the right foods, and exercise, you will lose the weight and keep losing it.

There are high’s and low’s and many phases to losing weight, and if you’ve already started to see the pounds come off, then I highly doubt the winter is going to stop you. Once the number on the scale begins to drop and you actually see the changes with your own eyes, there’s little that will stand in your way. (Hell hath no fury like someone on a diet that didn’t lose his or her 2 pounds that week!)

It’s another story when you are a newbie just starting out, and your body hasn’t changed yet. If this is you, I urge you to forge on the pounds will come off. If I can do it, then most certainly so can you! If you need that extra push this winter season, join the movement and sign up for a package of health coaching sessions with me, it’s just one more tool to help you get where you want to be! Stay warm, stay strong, and keep on moving!

“Fitness – if it came in a bottle, everyone would have a great body.” -Cher