The Oregonian, the newspaper here in Portland, Oregon, asked readers to send in their winter workout strategies recently.  Mine was one of the many that was featured.  I’m no fitness expert but I do know that I feel better both mentally and physically when I stick to a regular workout routine.  My workout routine doesn’t involve going to a gym or a class.  Keeping a routine simple and easy helps me stick to it.

My Workout Routine

Sara Tetreault
Age: 45
Portland

Fitness challenge
To not get injured.  Injuries really slow me down.  The older I get, the longer it takes to bounce back.

Fitness achievement
Weighing the same weight that I did in high school.  I was going to state my fastest time in a half-marathon but staying the same weight is a bigger accomplishment.  (Full disclosure: same weight doesn’t mean exactly same body shape – let’s not forget 2 kids and gravity!)

Motivation
Workout partners!  Having partners to run with and walk with means someone is relying on you to go so you can’t sleep in or skip.    My crew of walking friends uses walking poles for our upper body and to burn more calories.  We call ourselves “Chicks with Sticks.”  I don’t workout at a gym which makes it easier, too.  Keeping barriers to working out low really helps.  Running shoes on and I’m ready!

Winter survival
I get up and go early in the morning, all year long, regardless of the weather.  (Snow or ice does sideline my program a bit but that doesn’t happen very often.) I get all of my clothing together the night before, including gloves, hat, and jacket.  Not having to scramble in the morning is key because I don’t want to make my workout partners wait.

You have to have clothing that can get wet but it doesn’t have to be expensive.  Most of my workout clothing has come from Goodwill.  My favorite running jacket came from the sale rack at Old Navy and I sewed reflective tape to the back of it.  Hang up your wet workout clothes above a laundry sink and you’ll be ready to go again.

Health Mistake
During college I had a roommate who worked for Haagen Dazs. Yikes -calories galore!

What’s your workout routine? Have any new exercising goals for the New Year?

Go Gingham related links:

The biggest stay the same – the reality show I’m pitching!
How to make walking poles – they’re re-purposed ski poles
I love to hula hoop – hooping fool love!
Exercise at home – and skip the gym
Eat healthier this year…

Other related links of interest:

• Need an outdoor class and live in Portland? You’ll want to check out Take it Outside Fitness. Kristin has a fabulous attitude about exercising and life. She wrote a guest post here last summer – How to cover a hula hoop with fabric

• Read The Oregonian article here – it’s all about working out in the winter