Winter Work Out

In the last hour our temperatures have plunged.  It is beginning to feel like winter which is fitting for December.  I can't help but feel chagrined.  I hate cold weather.  I usually attempt to hibernate all winter and gain ten pounds of fatty insulation.  This year I am attempting to buck my trend.

Warm rain came down most of the morning and when I saw a short break in the weather I ventured out for a fast run. The break was much shorter than I anticipated and we were caught in a windy downpour. We returned home - soaked - and I started my back-up workout plan. I ran my basement stairs.

Running stairs is both a great cardiovascular workout and tones your butt. Since I surrendered my abs to pregnancy I embrace anything to help my butt defy gravity. Running stairs is also really boring and a bit hazardous. Before you start sweep the area of tripping hazards. I almost killed myself on a stray piece of Captain Crunch.

To break up the monotony I rock out to Christmas music on Pandora. I also keep track of each time I make it up the stairs. I'm very competitive with myself. Seeing the tick marks accumulate keeps me motivated and provides small goals. Its much easier for me to finish a set of five rather than push through twenty more minutes.

My favorite part of running stairs is that it is warm. I hate being cold. Occasionally JAC will get in on the action. He has his own page of tick marks at the top of the stairs. This morning I ran 150 sets of stairs and burned over 600 calories. It took me 42 minutes. 

Are you exercising or hibernating this winter? I would love to hear your winter workout plans. In the meantime I'm going to eat 600 calories worth of cookies.