And She's Back!

As I mentioned in my last post, life has intervened on my blogging and stress and anxiety have lowered my workout motivation to almost zero. Although a little less zealously, I have continued to run, and I still do yoga, but am more likely to skip a day.

I signed up for fewer races this year, because we have a lot going on and because we are trying to save money (the race fees can add up!). This morning I completed my first 5K race of the season, The Fifth Annual Jack Roth 5K Rock & Run/Walk.

I ran this race last year, with a time of 25:09. I enjoy this race, as it takes place in Bexley - a place I love and where I am moving in a month. It's perfectly lovely to run with a group of people that you know and be cheered on by your (soon-to-be) neighbors and friends. I convinced my husband to walk the race as well, with our youngest two kids in a double stroller (a regular one, not a jogger), and our 6-year-old walking/running herself.

Because of my recent lack of motivation and this being my first race of the season, I had very low expectations. Before the race began, I told my friend that I would only be jogging this one. She distrusted my concept of "jogging" and said she wouldn't start with me, so I started with another friend's husband. When the race began, I realized that I couldn't keep up with him and told him just to go on, and I would jog at my own pace.

Running on the streets is a completely different animal from running on the treadmill - my usual habit. I found myself feeling winded fairly early on, but I just persevered. Since I almost never run outside, though, I don't own any of the fancy gadgets that give you information about your speed, so I never have any idea about what my pace is. I felt like I was moving along fairly evenly, though.

At about mile 2, one of the volunteers shocked me by calling out to me, "Number 2! You're second! The second girl! Girl Power!". I couldn't believe it! Second?! That was definitely the motivation I needed! I wasn't really able to speed up much, but I certainly didn't want to lose that place! I powered it in to the finish line, maintaining that second female finisher position (out of 213 women), coming in twentieth overall (out of 355 total runners). My time was 21:45, at a seven-minute mile pace. That's 3:24 faster than my time at last year's Jack Roth 5K, and 1:44 faster than my personal best for a 5K!!!

After I finished, drank some water and ate a banana, I ran back and caught up with the family and jogged and walked the rest of the way with them. It was wonderful morning, and it has energized me for racing for the summer.

Burst of Confidence!

Lots has been going on in our lives lately, and not only have I not been blogging much, but my workouts have ramped down somewhat. Life just gets in the way, I guess. Anyway, with my training schedule modified, I have been feeling a little jittery about participating in the Columbus Half Marathon on May 1. I am definitely going to participate, but I am just going to go at a comfortable pace and not worry about setting any goals, just finishing.

The weather was gorgeous today and I went for a run outside. I normally hate doing this, not because I dislike being outside, but because I miss the "control" I feel when I am on the treadmill. When I am running outdoors, I am constantly wondering what my pace is, am I maintaining an even pace, what is the incline/decline, am I slowing down, etc. Of course, if I spent a bunch of money for a fancy gadgety watch, I would know the answers to those questions. But ... trying not to spend money.

Anyway, as I was running, and wondering all those things, I started worrying about the race, and whether I would be able to make it 13 miles. Even though I do it on the treadmill, in "real" life, running is different than in the gym. More real.

But, after about 3 miles, I hit my stride. I stopped worrying, I stopped varying my pace, I stopped thinking about it, and I just naturally hit a speed that I knew I could maintain for another ten miles. I just knew it ... it certainly wasn't fast (and since I don't have that kind of fancy gadgety watch, I can't tell you my pace), but I didn't feel like it was too slow either. It was just right. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. And I will.

I hope.

Today's workout:

60 min. personal training yoga

40 min. run

Mood Swings

I haven't been blogging lately because I just haven't felt up to it. We are having a lot of stress in our family lately due to starting the process of putting our house on the market. The economic downtown, particularly in housing, has had a significant negative impact on us. Moving in normal times is usually a nerve-racking event, and these unique circumstances make it even more anxiety-ridden.

One of my unhealthy coping mechanisms is to eat continuously. Without thinking, I am constantly popping food into my mouth whether I am hungry or not. It is a bad habit to keep my hands busy and it calms me down ... until I finish whatever snack I grabbed ... and then I reach for something else. Not a good move.

I am continuing to exercise, which helps, but without my usual enthusiasm. My workouts are lackluster and I unfortunately find myself making excuses to cut my routines short or even skip them altogether. Yikes. Bad news.

Hopefully, I will keep pushing through, and will experience an upswing. The important thing is to keep trying and remember that everyday is a new day, and every moment offers opportunity and choice.

Today's workout:
50 min. run (5.7 mi)
35 min. resistance training
50 min. yoga

No Excuses!

Sometimes, I feel cranky that I didn't start running until I was 33 years old. I think, "imagine what I could have done if I had run in high school or college, or even in my 20s!". In a race, I feel a little jealous of the speedy younguns next to me in a race, or the runners my own age who have the advantage of years of training and experience.

This month's Running Times is devoted in large part to older ("masters") runners and their achievements in various age brackets. I am always inspired of stories of other runners who didn't start running until later in life. Pictured left is Ginette Bedard, who started running at age 68 and now routinely sets records in her age group.

In his Editor's Note, Jonathan Beverly writes about age grading, which adjusts results based on age (kind of like handicapping, I think). It basically sounds like a way to make yourself feel better about being older and slower. Beverly struck a chord with me with this comment:

"The only measure that really matters is what you can and cannot do today. Every race has an asterisk listing all of the reasons it should have been faster - even those fondly remembered PRs [personal record]."

He goes on to say, "we are not who we were at 30 either, and celebrate what we can do today." I really appreciate this notion, and will try to take it to heart.

I am so pleased with my improvement and performance so far, and thankful for the body that I have and for what it can do. There is no reason for wishing to change the past or making excuses for what I am.

Today's workout:
60 min. elliptical (7.50 mi)
15 min. sun salutations

28-in-28 yoga challenge

I just finished reading Living Oprah by Robyn Okrant, in which she takes on all manner of challenges introduced by Oprah Winfrey over the course of a year (more on that later).

Instead of tackling someone else's goals, I am working toward my own of establishing a daily practice. I already have an almost-daily yoga habit (about 5-6 days a week). However, I usually practice in the evenings after I put my kids to bed, and if my husband and I have other plans, then my yoga time may go by the wayside. This 28-in-28 challenge, originated by blogger Sarahsana and brought to my attention by blogger YogaDork, suggests that we spend some time - whatever time we can - each day in the 28 days of the short month of February on our yoga mat. Hopefully, having this challenge will give me the extra impetus I need to carve out some yoga time even if it isn't my "usual" practice time.

Today's workout:
53 min. hill interval run (6.51 mi)
30 min. resistance training/plyometrics
75 min. primary series yoga

Inspiring Young Runners

I have previously blogged about the organization, Girls on the Run, for which I volunteer as an assistant coach.

The exciting thing about this group is that in working with young girls, running is used as a method of developing confidence and self-esteem. The end goal is not necessarily to create world-class athletes or super-fast track stars .... running is a vehicle for showing girls what they are capable of and helping them to love themselves and their bodies.

In her talk at the recent Girls on the Run conference in Austin, TX, Kristin Armstrong discussed the idea of "confidence on the inside" - a concept GOTR tries to promote in young girls.

"Confident on the Inside means - You are wise enough to accept God’s definition of who you are, and you are strong enough not to accept counterfeit messages. You know your own beauty and are grateful for it, never needing to promote or pollute it. You possess awareness of your talents, as well as the humility and generosity to share them. You can say 'Yes' and 'No' with equal certainty. You live and love big – never needing to play small or belittle others. You can say 'thank you' to a compliment as easily as you can say 'Forgive me' or 'I forgive you' to a mistake. Confident on the Inside means that you feel so comfortable in your own skin that your very presence is an invitation to freedom for others. Confident on the inside knows no age."

Even though I already felt fairly comfortable in my own skin, once I started running, I was completely exhilarated by its effects on me. Not only was I able to see tangible improvements in my physical fitness, but my mood lifted as well. Running longer distances than I ever had before made me feel capable of tackling challenges in my everyday life. I felt strong, powerful and capable. I never intended to start running everyday, but the positive effects from running led me to make running a central part of my workout. I definitely feel the "confidence on the inside" described above, now at age 34, that I didn't feel ten or fifteen years ago.

Although my role in the organization is small, it makes me proud to be a part of GOTR and its mission to lead girls to achieving a feeling of confidence and self-worth.

Read another inspiring blog post from Runner's World's Coach Jenny about the recent Girls on the Run conference in Austin, TX.

Today's workout:

70 min. run (8.19 mi)

20 min. resistance training

60 min. yoga

Yoga on my Own

Lately I have been attempting to break free of the yoga DVDs at home and take ownership of my practice. I find this concept somewhat intimidating and not something that I can accomplish all at once. I still use a DVD most days, but two or three times a week I will develop my own sequence.

I found a wonderful tool today on Yoga Journal's website. Under the "poses" tab, click on "build a sequence". You can browse through a variety of poses, divided by their difficulty level (all levels/intermediate/advanced), choose the ones that you would like to add to your sequence, and then organize them according to your preferred order.

You can print out your sequence. The pages will display a nice photograph clearly displaying the posture, along with its sanskrit and English name. The only downside to this was that each page only holds 4-5 poses, so you end up with several pages stapled together that you have to turn as you move through the flow.

To develop my sequence this evening, I looked up the pose that I wanted to focus on (Natarajasana / Lord of the Dance Pose). In reading the description of the asana, I looked up the preparatory and follow-up poses and used those as the foundation of my sequence. I inserted vinyasas throughout and created a 6o minute active flow that focused on balance and backbends.

Today's workout:
35 min. run w/ hill sprints (4.6 mi)
35 min. resistance training
60 min. yoga

Gratitude

In my private yoga training, I have been working on setting intentions for my practice. In line with that, I selected a home practice based on Shiva Rea's empowering sequence in Yoga Journal. In this flow, Shiva Rea assigns mantras associated with the specific emotions evoked by each asana.

As I worked through these poses and focused my intentions, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. The vinyasa yoga flow was indeed empowering and as I moved through each posture, I became aware of my own strength and possibility. I felt a profound gratefulness for my body, for the movements that I am able to make, for carrying me through my life.

So often, we take our bodies for granted ... not thinking of them at all, or simply treating them like a shell, or even a hindrance. We abuse our bodies by eating poorly, ignoring signs of sickness, willfully engaging in habits that damage our bodies like smoking.

But our body is our life. We experience our lives through our bodies. We all have to meet our physical needs - on a daily basis - before we can accomplish anything else. As children, we express ourselves physically first. We clap to show happiness, reach up to our mothers to show love, duck our heads when we are shy. When we are healthy, we are happy. When our bodies our strong, our minds are invigorated. The muscles and tendons and ligaments in our bodies support us, allow us to express ourselves and carry us through our lives. Overcoming physical challenges gives us courage to tackle other kinds of situations. When our body's health deteriorates, our lives become tenuous. Instead of ignoring your body, take a moment to say "thank you" for all the work your body does taking care of you. Make sure that you are taking care of it!

Today I am thankful that I have a healthy body.

Today's workout:
60 min. elliptical (interval program) (5.72 mi)
35 min. resistance training
60 min. yoga

Staying Zippy in the Winter

Need a few reasons to keep running in the winter? Check out these great "kick-butt" ideas from Runner's World for staying motivated and reaching your goals!

Today's workout

50 min. run (6.05 mi)

30 min. resistance training

60 min. yoga

Saucha / Purity

Today, in my private session with my yoga teacher, we discussed the concept of the niyama of saucha, or purity. Swami Shraddhananda describes the ways in which we incorporate this niyama into our lives:

Saucha is purity that operates on many levels. We aspire to cleanliness for our bodies by washing ourselves, maintaining clean and orderly homes, eating healthy food and drinking clean water. We aspire to cleanliness in our minds and speech by not polluting our minds or speech with negativity or grasping after emotionally and physically charged obsessions. In other words, we find a balance that gives us a way to feel ourselves as clean and clear. As are the other yamas and niyamas, saucha is a pre-condition for experiencing the fullness of yoga and attaining enlightenment.

In our practice today, we focused on cleansing breaths and using the bandhas to contain our energy within the body.

I found it ironic that this evening, when my husband and I were relaxing in front of the TV, he chose to watch the A&E show "Hoarders". This show focuses on individuals who suffer from compulsive hoarding, which leads to horrendous messes with disastrous consequences - potentially losing their children to foster care, the threat of homelessness from eviction, separation from family members. We have been watching this show for a few months and it has definitely created an impetus for me to create order and cleanliness in our living space. I even hired a professional organizer for a few hours to help me with some perpetually cluttered spaces.

While saucha certainly deals with internal purity of mind and spirit, the cleanliness and purity of our outside spaces matters too. When we feel comfortable and free in our living space, we can have clarity of thought and vision. As the cluttered spaces in my home became open and organized, I felt a weight and anxiety physically leave my body - an opening and release of tension that I had unknowingly been carrying.

This time of new year's resolutions and self-improvement is a great time for reflection on ways that you can incorporate the concept of saucha into your own life.

Today's workout:
35 min. run (4.30 mi)
60 min. private training yoga
60 min. yoga @ home

Keep Track of your Progress & Promises

In this season of lofty promises for self-improvement, it is easy for that new-year's energy to wane and the resolutions to be left by the wayside. On the Today show this week, they estimated that only 6% of people actually keep their new year's resolutions. Yikes!

For fitness or nutrition related goals, one of the best ways to keep track of your progress and work toward achieving your desired results is to log your activities in a journal. First of all, it helps to identify specific ways in which you will reach your goal. "I want to get fit" or "I want to lose weight" are important values, but they are fairly vague - when do you know that you have reached those goals? Instead, establish realistic, achievable benchmarks: I will go to the gym three days a week; I will meet with a personal trainer once a week; I will lose 2 pounds a week; I will run 30 miles a week, etc. Limit these resolutions to one or two so as to not overwhelm yourself.

Once you have enumerated your specific targets, keep track of your daily progress. You can do this in a simple spiral notebook, or you can purchase workout logs. I like to use the Runner's World Training Journal to keep track of my mileage and cross-training. It has inspirational quotes and tips that help keep me motivated. You can also log your workouts into online exercise sites like RunningAhead.com. Magazines like Shape, Self, and Runner's World also maintain online training log features. You can do the same thing for your nutritional goals as well - keeping track of what you eat and logging in your weight each day.

By writing down the steps you are taking each day to reach your goals, you can see the positive steps that you are taking to move forward and change your life. You will be less likely to skip a workout or eat a giant piece of chocolate cake if you know that you will be taking a note of it. You can look at the pages and see how far you have come.

For me, knowing that I will note my workout on my blog (even if no one reads it), as well as my training journal, is a huge motivator for me to keep up my workout each day. I hope you find keeping track of your goals helpful as well!

Today's workout:
50 min. run (6.0 mi)
20 min. resistance training
75 min. yoga

Inspiring Reads

I read a couple of really inspiring running books this winter break. The first was Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes. Dean is an uber-athlete who tackles the toughest physical challenges. He is well-known in the running world for his prolific success at long-distance races (50 miles or more).

In this book, he talks about what led him to start running, and he details his experiences in some of his first ultramarathons. His story about his first Western States 100 race is incredible - it is an unbelievable testament to what the human body can endure.

Despite his phenomenal success and athletic prowess, Dean ultimately credits sheer perseverance and hard work for his performance, rather than any innate traits. Basically, he is just telling his reader to get out there and run and you never know what your body can do. While he can sometimes come across as a little pompous, his book definitely motivated me to add more mileage to my weekly totals.

Another running book that I dove into this winter break was Strides: Running Through History with an Unlikely Athlete by Benjamin Cheever. Unlike Karnazes, Cheever is more of a casual runner, though "casual" is a relative term as he has run numerous marathons.

In this book, he explores his passion for running by delving into his own experiences as well as chronicling some of the history of marathoning. The accounts I found particularly engaging were his tales of running the Medoc marathon in France where the runners stopped every few miles to indulge themselves in a glass of wine, and his stories about running a race in Baghdad and discussing the culture of running in the military.

Both of these books express the unique joy and feeling of freedom that running inspires. Each author makes me feel, even though I have only been running for a few months, that the sky is the limit and that I can accomplish anything. Since reading these books, I have been contemplating training for a longer race ... something that I didn't envision myself until further in the future. We'll see about that. In the meantime, check these books out for an entertaining and inspiring read!

Today's workout:
35 min. run (4.12 mi)
30 min. resistance training
75 min. primary series yoga

Print Inspiration

I admit, I am totally addicted to magazines. I love having access to new and interesting information on all kinds of interesting topics. Magazines are easy to read, indulge my tactile experience of handling print media (instead of scrolling down a screen), are portable, and their bold, splashy headlines hold all kinds of promise.

I often get inspiration for my workouts from fitness and exercise magazines. Some of my favorites are Shape and Self. I also occasionally read Fitness, Women's Health, Women's Running and Runner's World. In addition, I subscribe to Yoga Journal and often try out their home practice sequences.

In order to keep your workouts fresh, magazines are a great way to inject new life into your exercise routine. They offer ideas that you can easily adapt to your own level and environment. Today I used the three abs exercises suggested in this month's Shape magazine. However, I used a cable machine instead of a kinesis machine, and substituted dumbbells for a kettle ball. I also created super-sets by inserting additional exercises after each abs set. It was an awesome full-body workout!

These magazines' web sites are also fantastic resources for additional information on health and fitness and have many helpful features like virtual training, workout logs, and online food diaries.

Today's workout:
70 min. run (7.35 mi)
30 min. resistance training

Fitting in Fitness

I have noticed lately that several of my acquaintances have complained that they don't bother working out at their gyms because the child care is constantly calling them because their children are crying or have a dirty diaper, or need some other kind of additional attention. They say it isn't even worth going to the gym because their workouts are interrupted.

It's true that the child care can be difficult to manage. With three small children (ages 5, 4 and 1 1/2), I have definitely had my own issues with the babysitting services at a number of gyms. However, because fitness is a priority to me, I made sure that I chose a gym with the best child care facility available. The hours are lengthy, the facility is clean, there are age-appropriate toys and play spaces for different ages, and it is well-staffed by competent people. Still, I get called away from my exercise at least once a week to tend to the needs of one of my children. Sometimes, I am able to return to my workout, and at other times, my plan has to be cut short.

Even though this can be frustrating, it is certainly not a reason to give up exercise. Making your physical fitness a part of your daily routine sets an excellent example of healthy lifestyle for your children. The more often you go to the gym, your children will become acclimated to the child care center and less apprehensive about being left while you exercise. They may even make friends, and find fun activities in which to participate.

The truth is, even if your workout is cut short, you at least get some physical activity in. Rather than giving up, make an attempt to go every day for two weeks. It will get a little easier every day. Soon going to the gym will become a part of your and your children's daily life. Don't get discouraged by small setbacks ... keep going!

Today's workout:

45 min. run (5.58 mi)

30 min. resistance training

New Year Resolutions, Cont'd

At the Jewish New Year, I set a few goals for myself. These centered mostly around cultivating a positive attitude and bringing peace to my life and my family. For me, it is definitely important to re-visit these resolutions and so that I can re-align my focus to continue to strive in that direction. Lately, my patience has been sorely tested .... which is the time when it is most important to maintain a level head and clear vision. I am not always (rarely) successful, but reminding myself of my goals always helps to keep me on track.

I thought with the impending calendar new year upon us, I would also set out some fitness-related goals. The cold winter weather has had a negative impact on my motivation, but in past couple of days I have felt re-invigorated. Setting some new challenges will help keep me energized and active.

What I hope to accomplish in 2010:

• Continue a weekly running routine, averaging no less than 30 miles a week.
• Run at least seven 5K races in the summertime, with the goal time being 21:30.
• Continue a daily home yoga practice.
• Develop my hamstring flexibility.
• Introduce some Second Series Ashtanga poses in my yoga practice.

What are your resolutions for 2010?

Today's workout:
75 min. run (8.52 mi)
15 min. resistance training
75 min. primary series yoga

Keep Zippin' Along

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
John Quincy Adams
(1825-1829); 6th Us President

Today's workout:

45 min. run (5.91 mi)

25 min. resistance training

75 min. primary series yoga

Saved by Julia

Tonight my husband and I watched Julie & Julia, the movie about the Julie Powell, a blogger, who undertook the self-imposed challenge to cook all 524 of Julia Child's recipes from her acclaimed cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time.

What I found interesting was the Julie Powell character's continuous claim that Julia Child "saved" her, that these acts of cooking and writing "pulled her out of the sea". While this description may be melodramatic, it does point to the need that many of us have to distinguish ourselves in someway and find something to define ourselves by. For Julie, she was able to escape the drudgery of her office job and her feelings of failure as a writer by tackling complicated culinary feats. Not only did she find cooking creative, relaxing and refreshing, it was a way for her to carve a new identity and create meaning in her life.

I think each of us needs something to hold on to, that we feel sets us apart and gives us a sense of who we are. Those of us who spend our lives taking care of others - our children, our parents, our students, our clients - may seek a deeper connection with our own selves. I personally strive to challenge myself with developing my physical fitness, but each of us set our own goals and find our own path. Once we do, it makes life a little bit easier.

Today's workout:
30 min. run (4.0 mi)
25 min. weight lifting
60 min. personal yoga training
60 min. yoga @ home

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Honestly, as the weather gets increasingly worse, I truly feel like hibernating. I just want to eat and eat and eat, and then cuddle up under a cozy blanket and go to sleep ... and wake up to sunshine, reggae music, and waves. I suppose that's not happening though.

My motivation right now is very low - I usually experience this kind of feeling throughout the colder months. I really have to push myself to carry on with daily activities, let alone having the extra gumption to exercise faithfully.

Here are a few things that help me continue to maintain my exercise routine even when I don't necessarily feel like doing it:

• Set aside time every day specifically for exercise. For me, I go right after I drop the older kids off at school. I always practice yoga right after I put my daughters to bed.
• Recognize my malaise, acknowledge it, and then exercise anyway.
• Set specific goals. For example, today I will run six miles. This week, I will work on improving hamstring flexibility.
• Search through fitness magazines, books and websites for new ideas to add interest to my normal routine.
• Use a personal trainer or coach to provide external motivation.
• Exercise with a friend.

This winter, find your own inspiration to keep up your physical fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Today's workout:
50 min. run w/ hill sprints (6.03 mi)
60 min. yoga

Don't Worry, You Didn't Blow It

It's nice to be back on the blog again. I like keeping up with the blog because it's my way of checking in with myself, even if no one else reads it. We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of guests and tons of wonderful food.

When I got to the gym this morning, I saw on one of the morning shows a quick teaser for another segment that went something along the lines of "If you blew it over Thanksgiving, here's how to get back into shape." Of course, they run this same story every year, after Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, but something about it made me think today.

Thanksgiving is one day a year. You can't "blow it" over Thanksgiving, even if you make unhealthy food choices or overindulge or are completely inactive all day. Everyday is a new day, and every choice is a new choice. As long as we are still alive, we haven't blown it. We always have another chance to be better, another chance to make a healthy choice, another chance to make it right.

So, there is no need to give up or feel bad about yourself if you ate with abandon over the holiday. I certainly did. The food was delicious and abundant. But that was Thursday, and Friday was a new day. Instead of looking backward with regret, or forward to the holidays with anxiety, just live in your present moment, make healthy choices for yourself for right now and develop a healthy lifestyle one step at a time.

Today's workout:
50 min. run (5.75 mi)
30 min. resistance training
60 min. yoga

Winter Blahs

Even though the weather lately has been much nicer than usual for this time of year, the colder weather from the past few weeks has created a winter malaise in me. The fact that my daughters keep getting sick hasn't helped anything either!

It seems every winter, my motivation level drops, and I just feel sluggish. I want to curl up with a Slanket on the couch in front of the TV and do nothing (for the record, I do not own a Slanket or any similar product ... just regular blankets). I definitely notice that I eat more food in the winter, not because I am hungry, but it's like some kind of primal urge to develop an extra layer of fat to keep me warm.

When I feel like this, I try to just push through it. I make exercise and yoga a priority and always carve out time in my day for those activities, even if I don't feel like it. A workout that I force myself to do is better than none, and even if my effort is subpar, I still feel better when it is done.

Another way to increase my motivation is with a friend. If you have someone to whom you are accountable, you are less likely to miss a day at the gym, and you will have a more enjoyable experience if it is shared.

I am trying to take advantage of these recent beautiful days, and the kids and I are getting out every afternoon and playing on the swing set. Even when the temperatures do drop back down though, you can still bundle up and get some fresh air and some exercise by taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Once you start moving, you are more likely to keep moving!

What do you do to stay motivated and active during the colder winter months?

Today's workout:
50 min. interval run (6.57 mi)
20 min. resistance training
75 min. primary series yoga