"Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away." — Robert Maynard Hutchins
Dude! I am so demotivated by the cold weather. I realize that I do not enjoy running in the cold--No way, Jose! My hands feel weird (maybe because I need to invest in running gloves), you have to get your layering just right (which takes too much thinking and lots of laundry), and this whole dark sky at 5pm thing is a bummer (I'd rather be under a blanket eating caramel and cheese popcorn watching Frosty the Snowman). I am just being honest. It's hilarious to me that I had no problem hitting the pavement when it was 100 degrees here in Nashville but I have not been outside running for about two to three weeks. I'm also a little disappointed that I couldn't start Boot Camp, which I was hoping would give me the extra push I need to carry me through until I start training for my next half-marathon.
I know that I am not the only person feeling like this. A Runners' World blogger noted feeling the same "I'll just rest" mentality. But you can't just go with that feeling; you can't just lie around all winter. If you do, then all the great work you've put in will be for naught. When I feel that urge to just rest, I remember all the smaller new clothes into which I've invested my money. I remember all the kudos people have given me for my efforts and how I would hate to face them if I gain back 15 pounds. I think about my little boys who have come to enjoy my workouts just as much as I do (and they all want to run a race!).
So to help in combating my inner blanket-potato I've pulled out my walking workout DVD by Leslie Sansone, the Jillian Michael's set, and am looking into some Tai Chi and Zumba DVDs. I am still working out at least three times a week during my lunch--although I compromised my time last week so didn't end up working out in the gym at all. Sustaining an active lifestyle in the winter is posing to be difficult for me. Add all the food that goes along with the holidays and it seems like I'm fighting a losing battle some days.
I refuse to get another fill (for my lap band) because I don't want to become dependent on it for weight loss. I use my lap band to help reinforce my portion control and low carb habit. Just because you can eat something doesn't mean you should. Yes, now I can actually eat the croissant that accompanies my chicken salad sandwich--but that doesn't mean that I should. Which leads me to a question my Mom posed over Thanksgiving, "Do you think you could have lost the weight without the lap band?"
Honestly, I don't know the answer to the question. I've lost weight before, so I'm sure I could have lost weight without the lap band. But the lap band helped me reinforce healthy habits and helped me see sustained results more quickly. I guess my lap band is almost like a safety net. Is that right or wrong? I don't know but it works for me and I'm thankful.
So, I shall enjoy the down-time and all the Fa-La-La of the season, in moderation.
January 1st is quickly approaching. And while I'm not one to create empty "resolutions" I do believe in setting goals and renewal. For me January 1st signifies the beginning of my training for the first half-marathon on my schedule for 2011--March 12th. That gives me 10 weeks of training. Hooo-rah!! 
