Winter Woes

The other day I was reading through my old "hand written" journal and realized that I had a common topic I always wrote about. THE WEATHER. I have always been someone whose mood is affected by the type of weather going on. I seem to put my life on "hold" for 6 months once cold winter hits and then once spring rolls around I become "alive" again and I always get sad at how much my kids grow from one summer to the next. Because I am just wishing the winter away I don't notice the growth and change that takes place. It's hard to live in Utah because it gets so cold here and the winter is forever long and the sky is constantly overcast, gray and gloomy. One of the things that has kind of helped me shake bad weather days was when we were in Hawaii.

I waited for the day to go because I knew it would be Paradise. And it was but not exactly how I pictured it. It was cloudy most days and sometimes rainy. But since we had limited days to spend in paradise we couldn't just sit inside and wait for the perfect day. We continued on with our plans which included swimming and hiking and riding bikes on the beach. I didn't let the weather put a damper on my mood and I still had fun. I learned that life can still be fun even when the sun does not shine. And I have tried to bring that attitude back to Utah with me.

And since after running my marathon in the driving rain and hail for 4 straight hours and not having a choice I now do not let the rain determine my day and if I run or not. I thought running in the rain was awesome and has given me different perspective and if I had a chance to change it and run in the sun I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Another thing that has made such a difference is GETTING DRESSED EVERYDAY! Whether I actually leave the house or not. Last winter my friend Becky challenged me to try and get dressed everyday. I started with a goal to get dressed everyday for a week and WHOA I have never looked back and can't believe I used to live in sweats!! I refuse to be that frumpy mom who my kids are embarrassed to have drop them off at school.

I also have been keeping to my workouts and going twice a week to a super pump class that starts at 6am until 7 and then running 3 times a week as well. And I think it is making all the difference. I can't imagine not getting up in the mornings to exercise. On the days I skip my day seems to go downhill.

So here's to another cold, long winter...may I enjoy these months and not wish them away and be HAPPY!