Hibernating would be great if I were living off my fat like a bear does. Except the only thing that really is hibernating is my activity — unlike a bear, I’m still eating. I try to be more mindful and make better choices knowing that I’m not moving as much, but, as they say, #thestruggleisreal.
Pull up chair and mug with Coco and Deborah and me for the ultimate coffee tea date.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that knowing that my first half (as of this writing) isn’t until the end of July kind of makes me want to find a spring half. I mean, that’s half a year away!
On the other hand, I’m kind of enjoying the fact that there’s no pressure to get in my runs. I’ll do them on the treadmill, since I don’t have to worry about racing in this godawful weather. And I’m sure my body is appreciating some downtime after 18 months of hard training.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that my body might be enjoying that downtime a little too much. As in there really hasn’t been a whole lot of activity lately. Not even dogwalks, as you may have noticed. With temps well below freezing and ice and snow still clinging to the roads, I don’t think we’d be walking very long.
Bandit thinks he wants to walk. He sees me suiting up to go get the mail or take out the trash, and he gets all excited. Wouldn’t you love to be a dog, and just be able to live in the moment?
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that at some point I am sure I will not be able to take any more treadmill running. And I will have to brave the cold. Because it seriously doesn’t look to be warming up any time in this century (just slightly tongue in cheek there).
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that Bandit is almost a regular dog now. Almost. While we still struggle with some inappetance (usually only in the morning), he is all about the treats now. And man, when I make turkey, he most definitely wants that, too. Not to mention he is now cleaning the kitchen floor on a regular basis (which has its pluses and its minuses).
On the other hand, when we picked him up from the pet sitter on our way back from NYC, we were trying to get Lola’s coat on in the dark. Mr. Judy used his phone as a flashlight, which apparently was shining directly into Bandit’s eyes, and he growled at Mr. Judy.
As I said to my SIL, he’s damaged. We’ve done our best to help heal a lot of that damage, but I don’t think it can ever be completely healed.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you I finally realized why I struggle so with my weight during the winter. It’s not about my eating; it’s about my activity. I’m just not as active. Sure, I’m still active, but there are many days I can’t walk the dogs, or can’t walk them long due to the temperatures. There are too many times I put off exercising because I don’t want to change, or don’t want to change afterwards because I have to layer up to go outside.
Some of my slothfulness lately has just been about not feeling well and taking it easy until I do feel well (I felt good, then I didn’t, then I did . . .).
So realizing that, what’s a poor frozen northeaster to do? Good question.
Ok, that’s off my chest . . . for now.
Tea? Iced Tea? Coffee? Decaf? Green smoothie?
Do you struggle with weight and activity in the winter?
Do you have a lot of races scheduled?
Have you ever thought about where you’d like to retire to?
Today I am also joining up with the Friday Five 2.0 from Fairytales & Fitness and Rachel @ Running on Happy.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
After this never ending cold streak, I totally get why bears hibernate in the winer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mean winter. Funny how winer came out of that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you whine about the weather at all. Hey, you get out there! I just hibernate. 🙂
And hope the forecast is wrong . . . our NYD race which was postponed because of the extreme cold was moved to next weekend — and now they’re predicting wintry mix (although not on Sunday, when the race is).
I feel like I’m never gonna leave home again — it’s VT cold, and I shudder to think what it’s actually like up there.
LikeLike
I was just thinking only this morning, can’t wait for March when everything and everybody becomes lighter and brighter! The cold, dark days seem to be dragging on a bit. Still spring is around the corner. Ax
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that’s definitely being positive. Spring doesn’t usually make its way to these parts until April. Maybe May. And the worst months of the winter are usually Feb & March. But this too shall pass!
LikeLike
Ever since my streak officially ended on Monday, my cold weather outdoor running mojo has tanked. And, it’s my off-season, so I’m totally alright with that. It is supposed to “warm up” to the low 20’s this weekend…so I’ll be back outside. Can you imagine how toasty those 20-degree temps are gonna feel?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, we’re usually a few days behind your weather. So this weekend are the coldest days of the years. Single digits the next couple of days, and tomorrow we’ll be lucky to get any digits above 0 (and certainly won’t feel that way with the windchill).
The good news Is I don’t have to go anywhere. Some of the girls are getting together for brunch, but truthfully, it’s just too damn cold!
LikeLike
It is interesting how our bodies crave different foods and activity levels in the winter time. I am certainly craving for hearty warm foods instead of cold salads. I literally woke up wanting soup-how weird is that? The summer does feel like a long time away maybe a shorter race like a 10K in the spring to motivate you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing wrong with soup for breakfast! Wish my body craved that. What it usually craves for breakfast is cookies, but I just don’t give in to that.
I still do enjoy salads in the winter, but I made a big pot of chili yesterday. Gonna be a cold weekend!
I am, in fact, thinking about actually training for a spring 5k. Other than my very first race, I’ve never trained for one specifically, and a new 5k PR has been on my wish list for several years.
Of course, with this weather, I might just be running a spring 5k in an ice storm. 🙂
LikeLike
It feels great to not have the pressure of training for a race. Enjoy this down time. Ugh, this winter is just killing me. It takes me twice as long (motivation) to go out there for my run.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even though there’s no pressure, I still need to remain active — and yes, getting myself to move is super hard right now!
LikeLike
Sometimes we still need that pressure of training for a race to get us moving, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m okay with a little less movement for the moment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy cow I missed that IG post, was that a frozen fountain in NYC?
It’s suppose to warm way up here next week so hopefully it will warm up your way too!
My last race was the Christmas elf run back on December 10 and I haven’t ran since and sadly I’m not worried about it..haha. I may do a race in February so that will motivate me to start running! I’m just enjoying the hibernation for now! -M
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that fountain was in Bryant Park. We didn’t notice it was frozen the night before. 🙂
I am still running; I’ve managed to keep it at 3 runs per week, but I wanted to be running more, actually. It is what it is.
LikeLike
July does sounds far away for the first race of the year but it sounds like it will be a well deserved break for you after 18 months of training!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that’s my first half for the year (July). I’m sure there will be some shorter races before that! Plus I’m actually getting at some stuff in the house that’s been on the back burner for a long, long time.
LikeLike
It’s so hard to stay active in the winter! Cardio machines are a bore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m lucky I have a treadmill at home so I have a nice big tv to watch. And no one annoying me (usually).
Still not my favorite thing, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a winter person, and would enjoy hibernating too. But I do like to eat. Hmmm. It is hard to get out there when it’s so cold. I don’t start training until mid-February, so until then, I am also taking it easy. I didn’t feel like running yesterday, so I didn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d actually like to be running a bit more than I am, but it is what it is.
Despite the cold, I sure worked up a sweat shoveling today!
LikeLike
How cold is it?
Well, Darlene ran on the treadmill.
That’s how cold.
I have run with -10 windchill but I can’t do long runs like that. I also can’t run long on the treadmill (which to me is worse that the cold).
So my March half will be interesting.
I don’t weigh myself so I am in denial but there’s a #holottaeatingoutgoingon
LikeLike
Bandit is like my Mojo. They are just so darned cute that their slight imperfections are easy to overlook. I’m having serious issues getting our of my warm bed in the mornings. It’s never been this hard before. I love the frozen fountain picture. Around here, they would have cut the fountain off so it wouldn’t freeze.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just so hard to motivate yourself when it’s dark & cold (or just cold). Especially since I’m not in serious training for anything.
LikeLike
That frozen fountain is astounding! You really have done so much to rehabilitate Bandit. I’m sure he was scared and confused by that light and hopefully didn’t realize the Mister was behind it. I am finding it so hard to suck it up and face the cold!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, pretty sure it was just the light. He doesn’t growl at him (any more).
The cold is bad. 😦
LikeLike
I keep thinking when I head out for a cold run that I’m going to start soup in the crockpot to have when I get back to warm me up… so far, it hasn’t happened. Maybe today?
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, did you have hot soup waiting for you? I was on the treadmill. Again. I think I’ll finally be able to get outside next week — it’s supposed to warm up finally!
LikeLike
I can’t wait for it to warm up either. :[ I’m ready to go into hibernation, but alas, haha. I’ve been all about alll the hot teas and soups lately! I hope you enjoy this downtime!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I AM enjoying the downtime! But it doesn’t warm up until about April — sometimes not til May!
LikeLike
The struggle is indeed real! My activity is way down with the cold weather. I have a treadmill in my home, though, so I have no good excuse for why I’m so slothful right now. I’m going to take some turtle steps to turn that trend around.
I second the idea of a shorter race distance for the spring – striving for a 5k PR sounds like an excellent goal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t looked at shorter races yet, but I plan to!
I have a treadmill in my home, too. Much better than having to go to a gym!
LikeLike
Sweet little Bandit …he’s come a long way!
I have a sneaking suspicion that you will end up doing a half marathon before June.
While our winter has been unseasonably cold as of late, it’s obviously not anything even close to what you guys experience yet I still ‘hibernate’ to a degree. It’s just harder to make myself get outside when it’s cold and gray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually don’t think I’ll be doing a half before July, but only time will tell. I will be training though . . . and with winter not being kind to us this year, I’m GLAD I’m not training for anything!
Hey, cold is relative — I totally get it! It’s very hard to get out that door when it’s gray & cold (although hot & humid ain’t my cup of tea, either).
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Danes do huygge for winter – staying indoors by the fire, candles and yes, warm comfort food. I suppose it’s like a human version of hibernation! But a period of rest will be good for your body. Like you I find weight gain an issue if I’m less active. I’ve had a whole year of less activity and now I need to shift an extra stone☹️ But I think a couple of months wouldn’t make too much difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, huygge has been all the rage in the news. But cabin fever is a real thing too!
Actually, I am usually pretty good at maintaining my weight even with less activity — but it is definitely more of a struggle, and definitely more in winter. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can hear you. I need to brave this cold and get out there. Today seems the day!!! It’s good to get some downtime after 18 months of training. You deserve it! Happy New Year 2018!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you get out there? I was back on the treadmill. Again! Happy 2018!
LikeLike
Compared to most of the country, the temps are relatively mild here in Vegas (cold for us!), so my activity level is relatively constant throughout the year. Thank goodness! Bandit is such a cutie. He’s lucky to have found you to, at least, help combat all that damage from before. I hope it starts to warm up a little soon so you can get outside. In the meantime, embrace that treadmill and be grateful that you at least have one. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I know it can snow in Vegas, too. But it doesn’t stay super cold for long. But then you have to deal with the summers!
I am very happy that I have the option of a treadmill at home & don’t have to go out to a gym for one!
LikeLike