A little Winter Workout Motivation

We are only 4 weeks away from 2011. Did you keep your resolutions and loose all of the baby weight or happy flappy pounds?  I know that some of us are still shoveling the two feet of snow that fell last night. Working out in the summer seems so easy. Every morning is sunny and your looking forward to the long day ahead. If your regular morning run has taken a detour because of the cold weather, try these few tips from Jillian Michaels to get the rump out of the bed and in the street !

• Protect yourself. Dress in layers of soft, breathable fabrics such as bamboo, organic cotton, and merino wool. You'll be able to adjust the layers according to your body heat — remove them as you warm up, and putting them back on as you cool down. Take care to protect your head, hands, and neck with hats, gloves, and scarves, and don't neglect any exposed skin — apply layers of organic SPF face cream and lip balm as needed.
• Stay hydrated.When your body's working hard to stay hydrated out in the cold, dry air, each exhalation can sap your system a little more. People tend to forget that they can get dehydrated as easily by exercising in cold weather as in hot, so it's extremely important to up your water intake. The same goes for fuel: Even if you aren't out to run a marathon in Antarctica, getting a hearty helping of complex carbs an hour or two before vigorous exercise can make all the difference.
• Warm up...and stretch and cool down inside, where it's warm. When it comes to the cold weather, it's really important to make sure your muscles aren't stiff, so take the time to warm up slowly to prevent pulling a muscle.
• Be smart. Listen to your body — and the weather forecast. Bring it indoors if the mercury dips unusually low — freezing temperatures can end up doing more damage than good for even the most ambitious of outdoor enthusiasts. After all, you can always do  circuits or DVDs indoors!

Courtesy of Jillian Michaels