A Long, Cold Winter

During the long, cold winter we have a tendency to gain some weight.  We don't go outside as much, we enjoy all of the holiday food and drink and we become very sedentary.  That's just normal, we seem to do that every year.  Then, we hit the New Year and the resolutions come in and we make promises we really do intend to keep.  Keeping them is another story.  We start out well and then we start to make excuses and other promises about keeping them.  Don't worry, we all do it.
     January is long and cold.  It is nine degrees this morning, which really makes running or walking outside very difficult.  If you don't bundle up frostbite can set in.  If you do bundle up, it's difficult to be flexible and move.  So, we stay inside.  At our home, we have a treadmill, so there are no excuses here to not walk or run a little bit. At least on the weekends.  I have a new job that has a schedule of Monday through Friday, so I can do a little more in the morning during the week.  That makes me feel better about staying flexible and not falling out of a routine.
     However, if you think about it, there is a lot to do inside.  We have a lot of steps in our home. There are 18 going to the second floor.  There are about 8 to the basement.  If your knees are doing okay, you can walk up and down the steps a few times listening to your favorite tunes.  Put the decorations away in the basement one piece at a time.  Anything like that will help.  We have some bigger cans of tomatoes and things in our kitchen.  Touching your toes and then stretching while holding these cans will help you build up a little muscle in your arms.  Put Glee on and pretend you are auditioning for a Broadway show and you have to kick like a Rockette.  That will never happen with me, but to each his own.  My wife likes to laugh, so she puts belly dancing on and pretends she is exotic.  If nothing else, she keeps laughing and burning calories.  I like when she laughs.  However, the moves are so controlled and some are difficult, so it really can be a workout.
      The key is to like what you do and do it often.  It doesn't matter what it is or how long you do it.  It just matters that you do.

Spring is on the way!