Do freezing temperatures outside do a number on your motivation to move your body in the winter? Do you find yourself moving less and less as the holiday season progresses? Of course, if your answer is "yes" to either of these questions, you're in good company. The cold weather has sapped a lot of people's motivation.

For the past 8 months, I have been walking almost every Sunday at a local park with a couple of friends. A couple of weeks ago, the first snow fell unseasonably early in the Raleigh area. When my two friends and I ventured back to where we walk, after the first big freeze, we noticed only two other cars in the parking lot, as we started our walk. Over the past months, that same parking area has been brimming with cars by the time we arrive.  Last Sunday, we commented on the same low turnout.

Yes, indeed, what I call "cold weather body fear" has come for its yearly visit! The first time I recognized "cold weather body fear" was in November of 2008. I had been walking outside almost every day since March. Over those months, walking outdoors had become my absolute favorite way to move my body. However, in November, the "thought" of how cold it was outside, became a barrier to me moving my body. So, my walks became sporadic and I began seeking new ways to move indoors.

You'll be suprised to know that I discovered one motivating force to begin my daily walking practice in 2008, at the end of  December 2007, when I started eating intuitively.  This motivator came from an unlikely and unexpected source; a yearly claymation Christmas TV special: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.  What could be a motivating factor in a child's TV program created in 1970?

I have watched this program every year since I was a kid. I always liked this really "catchy" song with the line "just put one foot in front of the other...and soon you'll be walking across the floor..." I started singing that line to myself over and over again..."just put one foot in front of the other."

When I needed incentive to go out and walk every morning, that line would pop into my head. I knew that if I simply put one foot in front of the other, I would walk across the floor, out the door, and down the street!

Here's a quick list of ideas to help you have fun and stay inspired as you explore ways to move your body to the rhythm of the season:

• Identify your own slogan or jingle to keep you motivated:
  "Feel the Fear And Move Anyway!" is another new slogan that I've created to get past my yearly episode of "cold weather body fear."
  
• Put on a few layers of your gym/workout clothes before you go shopping: 
  You can warm-up by taking a walk around the shopping area or by making several laps around the perimeter of the store before you start shopping. Use your shopping time as a cool down period.
• Find a cold weather movement partner or form a group
• Be like Ebenezer Scrooge from a Christmas Carol, discover motivation in your past, present, and future:
  
  • I invoked inspiration from the past, when I considered the fact that I walked every day to school from age 4 to age 14.  I knew that my body had the capacity to walk every day, if I chose.
  • Present motivation can come from taking note of family, friends, and strangers, who continue to move their bodies during the cold weather season.
  • Training for a future strength goal, like completing a marathon, can also give you the stimulation that you need.

Motivation truly is everywhere....how will you find yours?

I discovered a video rock version of the holiday song that inspired me. 
May you also find ways to "put one foot in front of the other!"