**singing** "Oooohh, the weather outside is frightfulllllll, and the fire is sooo delightfullllll!"

I know this is how you feel when the thought of leaving your warm, cozy home to head out to the gym crosses your mind. It doesn't take much to abandon those plans and curl up with a cup of hot chocolate/tea/drank (whatever you like), and watch a movie/read a book/surf the net (again, whatever you liiiike).

However, cold weather (esp. if you live in the north) is no reason to throw away all of your hard work and efforts from the rest of the year. I've been pretty good about sticking to my routine in-spite of the below freezing temps and snow. I'm still swimming twice a week, yoga twice a week, and next week (and after the holidays) I'll be adding a belly-dancing class into the mix. Big fun, and YAY for 5 workouts a week. Please believe that I ABSOLUTELY plan to fit each and every piece of clothing that I bought this summer.

Just incase you aren't as motivated by the thought of wasting perfectly awesome clothes, then here are a few tips to keep yourself motivated throughout the winter months.

 Gear up! If you prefer to exercise outdoors, the right clothes can make a world of difference. Start with a base layer that wicks away moisture. The drier you are, the warmer you'll be. Look for fabrics such as Coolmax, Duofold, or Capilene, to name a few. Then add a fleece middle layer-or two if it's really cold--for warmth. And top it off with a wind and waterproof top layer such as Gore-Tex to protect you from the elements. And don't forget about your head, hands, and toes.

 Soak up some rays! Whenever it's sunny, get outside. The sunlight can beat the blues that might be sabotaging your exercise routine. In addition, it may also help to calm cravings.

 Try something new! Join a Boxfit or yoga class. The excitement of a new activity may be just what you need. If you have to pay for the class, it can be additional motivation to make sure you don't miss it.

 Get into training! Sign up to walk a 10K, run a half marathon, or do a mini triathlon this spring. Choose an event that is a bit beyond your current ability. That way you have to commit to training if you hope to do well. Better yet, get a buddy to join you.

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