Well, March is here and to me that means spring is right around the corner. Sure, it’s really still winter, but there’s something about closing the book on February that brings hope to all of us in the Great Lakes region. We still have some frigid days ahead, and there will most certainly be a spring snow, but the end is in sight; we’ve almost made it.

I’m sure I’m not alone here when I say that I’ve had a hard time staying motivated to work out and eat light meals this past month or so. The sub-zero temps make it difficult for all of us to want to get out the door more than is 100 percent necessary. Even in the limbo zone between sleep and waking, I can feel the winter cold outside my bed and am thus more likely to hit the snooze button rather than get up and go work out.

I love outdoor exercise, and have gear to do it in pretty much any weather, but it was too cold much of February to safely be outside for any extended period of time.

A dread of facing the elements combined with an over indulgence in winter comfort foods, Girl Scout cookies and red wine on the couch under a blanket and next thing you know your favorite skinny jeans are a little tight. OK, maybe I’m describing my own February struggles, but I’m sure I’m not alone here. These are the hardest months to stay motivated.

The winter weather, the foods we crave in cold, the wardrobe: none of it lends itself to staying svelt. But, as I said back in December, pushing to stay fit year-round makes maintaining a healthy, stable weight much easier. Sure, there are times you slack a bit, but now that spring is right around the corner, we all need to get up off of our butts and remember what we want those butts to look like when we suddenly need to show them off in shorts.

Turning over the page to March was a wake-up call for me. It’s time to put the dead of winter mindset to bed and look forward to spring. Exercising releases endorphins that make you feel good and happy, so let’s shake off the winter blues by getting active.

I got in a really hard core-strength workout the other day and the soreness in my muscles made me feel like I’d accomplished something, made a step in a great direction. The whole day I was in a noticeably better mood than I had been in what seems like weeks.

Other steps am I taking to pull myself out of a winter rut: Last week I had to eat dinner out almost every night, this week I’m making a commitment to myself to eat a home-cooked meal in every night. I’ve gone back to scheduling in my workouts and yoga classes as I would a business or doctor appointment. When I have to eat out for work lunches I’m ordering the healthiest salad on the menu. I’ve been a little bored with my fitness regimen, so I decided I need to change it up. I joined the Chicago Parks so I can swim in the lap pool in my neighborhood.

The last few weeks I’ve only fit in about an average of three workouts a week. I usually try to do four to five work outs a week, so going back to documenting what I’ve done in my planner is helping me stay on track. It goes back to accountability and planning. Write down what you eat, schedule in time for fitness, pack your lunch. These simple steps will help you stay ahead of the game. You’ll look at feel better by spring break rather than suddenly realizing it’s May and dreading trying on last summer’s bathsuit.

For more tips and advice on how to stay motivated and meal plan, please check out my interview in the winter edition of Michiana Life Magazine and visit my website: www.katshotcakes.com where I have a plethora of recipes, workout ideas, and meal planning suggestions.

 

Kat Barry, a St. Joseph, Michigan native, is owner of Kat’s Hot Cakes vegan catering, and co author of “The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat Free Recipes from America’s Veggie Diner.” She also develops recipes for eHow.com, where you can find over 30 of her vegan instructional cooking videos. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Kat currently resides in Chicago, and in her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, sampling local spirits, listening to live music, and getting outdoors. Follow @katshotcakes on twitter. Kat can be reached via email at: kat@katshotcakes.com.