Spring Clean Your Body

I wish I hadn’t missed one of the recent #fitblog chats on Twitter. The topic really interested me and for once I was actually going to be home during the chat (and not at the gym). But Michael and I ended up going out to spend some quality time together and I missed it. I wanted to bring up the topic here because I think it’s a fun one.

The topic was spring cleaning your body. Whenever the weather starts to get a little nicer here, I get in a “spring clean everything” kind of mood. I start cleaning out my closet and my house and getting rid of things I just don’t want around anymore.

Q1) Time to come out of hibernation! Fess up time, do you slack off on workouts in the winter? 

I do not slack off during the winter. My fitness definitely changes in the winter time because I spend more time in the gym instead of doing activities outside. Rainy weather in Oregon discourages me from commuting by bike year round, or running outside.

Winter is also a good time for me to focus on strength training and doing what I can to increase the frequency of it. It’s harder for me to fit in weight lifting during the summer months because I’m doing so many things outside.

All in all, my workout schedule stays regular and consistent all winter long and I feel better for it.

Q2) Now that the weather is nicer, how will this affect your fitness plans? Fewer classes, more outdoors?

This winter I went to Spin class once a week to keep my cycling fitness at a decent level. It was the best decision I made! Last winter when I stopped cycling it was HELL trying to get that fitness level back once spring arrived!

Now that the weather is better, I won’t be going to Spin class much anymore because I can go back to biking to work once or twice a week. Another change: I will be running outside again instead of on a treadmill (thank goodness).

I’m also going to start training for a full Century this year.

Q3) What is the one fresh fruit or vegetable that you start jonesing for as soon as spring arrives?

So many! I am really excited about eating the vegetables from our garden again this summer. The lettuce last year was so fantastic and so much better than store-bought. There are also a lot of local Farmer’s Markets here.

What I love most about summer veggies is grilling asparagus or eating cherry tomatoes right off the vine. The fruits are my favorite part of summer though. I love berries. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are the highlight and so are the local cherries.

Q4) What’s something that you noticed you did over the winter this year that you plan to improve next year?

I regret not taking more advantage of the snow on Mt. Hood this winter. I had so many grand plans for snowshoeing on a regular basis and I also wanted to try cross-country skiing. I just didn’t get around to it. 🙁

QUESTION: How would you answer these questions?