How to Motivate Yourself to Go for a Walk in Cold Weather

“I just need the motivation to drag myself out in the cold to walk,” one of my friends said yesterday.

Let me tell you, I hear that. I so get it. I know just how he feels. So. . . here’s what motivates me to be physically active outside during the coldest months of the year.

Gratitude. Every day, I express gratitude that I am alive and am healthy. And moving my body is one way that I thank it for being there for me over the years. Last year, for a few weeks, I wasn’t able to run outdoors, and so when I did to return to the pavement, I felt enormous gratitude and thankfulness. It’s funny. Sometimes being told you “can’t” do something makes you want to do it all the more. And every day that I run is a day that I’m grateful.

Accomplishment. I like to get things done. And when I’ve walked (or run) outside, I feel like I accomplished something. It makes me proud. Especially in the winter, when snow, ice, wind, drifts, and cold make me feel that I’ve achieved something special.

Invigoration. Running outdoors in January really gets the juices flowing, and I’m not just talking about my circulatory system. Running outdoors clears my head, gives me time to think, and it helps me become very focussed on what is precisely in front of me. It helps me focus on the here and now. When I’m navigating a little patch of ice, or enjoying a freshly-shoveled sidewalk, I’m not thinking about what happened yesterday or what is going to happen tomorrow.

The reward. For me, my post-run reward is a warm bath, a hot beverage, and warm fleecy clothes.

Fun. Believe it or not, running outside in January is fun. I’ve now been doing this running thing outside for an entire calendar year now, I’ve discovered that winter running is so much easier and satisfying than running in brutal heat of August. The invigoration, the challenge, the “me versus the elements” is exciting and maybe even a little dramatic, and drama and excitement can be very, very pleasurable!

Up Next: Celebrate Everything!

The Power of Desire

Desire. . .

. . . one of the most powerful forces in the universe. . .

. . . that urge, hunger, thirst, or yearning that moves you in the direction of your dreams. .  .

. . . a driving, creative, and passionate force at the core of your being. . . 

. . .the food that nourishes your soul. . .

How can we get in touch with our deepest, most-heart felt desires?  What does desire have to do with releasing weight?  How can we channel the power of our desires? 

Within days of my 45th birthday, I experienced my first mammogram.  This mammogram resulted in an ultra-sound examination.  And this ultra-sound examination resulted in a biopsy of my right breast.  

In the days and weeks surrounding the biopsy, I gave serious contemplation as to what I wanted for my life.  At that time,  I was 45 years old, and by my best guess, I was about halfway done.  The thought that my body might be manifesting cancer at this, the halfway point in my life, propelled me into deep consideration as to how I was living, what I was doing, and most importantly what I was thinking.

During this time, I discovered that I had not been living my life the way I really wanted to live it.  Consequently, during the next year or so, I put a lot of attention on my thoughts--my thoughts about my body, my thoughts about what I was eating, my thoughts about being physically active, and my thoughts about my impact in this world.

As as I was considering my thoughts, I also began to consider my deepest desires--and I began a practice of writing them down, in great detail and enormous depth.  This process of taking pen to paper, and writing down what I really, really wanted was one of the most powerful tools in my being able to release weight in a pleasurable and fun way.  Writing down my desires for my body my life was clarifying and gave focus and direction to my weight-release process.  

“We move toward what we picture in our mind,” someone said.  

That is one of the guiding principals of my life.  

What are some of the guiding principals of your life?  Please leave me a comment below!

Up Next:  Losing Weight on Your Vacation

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Thoughts On Commitment

Creating a healthy committed relationship with our bodies is a lot like creating a healthy committed relationship with another person. You know, the whole loving, honoring and obeying thing.  While I’ve never been big on “obeying” anyone, I do believe wholeheartedly in loving and honoring those we are close to.  And who are we closer to than our own bodies?

My body and I are in this together.  We’re in it for the long haul.  She has been here for me throughout my life, and the more committed I am to her, the more I discover that she will reward my loyalty and my commitment and attention by absolutely meeting whatever expectation I have of her.  She always rises to the occasion.

My body wants to know that she can depend on me.  She wants to know that I will take care of her when she needs care and listen to her when she needs to be heard and adore her when she wants adoration and move her when she wants to move and let her to rest when she wants to rest.  

My body wants me to trust her.  She doesn’t like my denying, ignoring, or repressing the messages she gives me.  She wants me to listen closely to what she is saying to me.    Sometimes she whispers, sometimes she nudges, and sometimes she yells.  But she always wants me to listen to her.

My body wants me to appreciate her.  She waited patiently for 45 years for me to figure this one out.  But the more I appreciate every magnificent thing she does for me, the more she rewards me by doing magnificent things.  

My body wants me to be committed to her.  She is committed to me.  She does her best to serve me, and she is happiest when I do my best in return.  The more committed I am to loving my body, the happier she is--and the happier I am.

Maybe loving our bodies is the key to happiness!

Up Next:  The Power of Desire

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