Welcome to the beginning of December…and the end of 2011!

I wrap up this week addressing a timely issue raised by my colleague, Joe.  He wants to know how we can stay motivated to workout during these dark times. I’m not referring to the state of the economy or the political shenanigans going on in Washington. I’m literally talking about the dark days we must endure between now and the springtime.

Many of us leave our homes each morning in the dark only to leave work at the end of a long day and find ourselves enveloped in darkness once again. Add some colder temperatures to the mix, and it can become all too easy to look for any excuse to ditch your exercise plans, change into comfy clothes and make a bee line for the couch. So here are a few ways to stay on track:

• Don’t Leave Home Without the Workout Wear: If you normally exercise after work, make sure to bring a gym bag to the office. If you have to go home to change before your workout, you’ll only find yourself face-to-face with that all-too-tempting comfy couch.
• Get Physical at Lunchtime: If you usually head to a gym for a morning workout before heading to the office or after dropping the kids off for school, why not consider moving your workout to lunchtime? Even if the sun is hidden by some wintry clouds, it will be brighter in the middle of the day and sometimes that’s all you need to boost your mood and get your butt into the gym. This could also be the perfect time to see if a group exercise class you’ve been curious about is offered at  midday.
• Make a Workout Date:  Plan to meet a friend for that morning power walk, lunchtime step aerobics or evening Zumba class. The “guilt” factor involved with not showing up for a friend may be all you need to keep you committed to your scheduled exercise plans.

I leave you with this final tip: remembering how good you feel after a workout may provide the biggest incentive to help you stick with your routine even on the darkest days of December. Never underestimate the power of that post-exercise endorphin rush as you continue on your journey to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!