I live in an area that experiences four different seasons.
We enjoy summer sunshine, the gorgeous colors of changing leaves in the fall, snowy winters and spring flowers. I love working in my gardens during the summer months and going snowmobiling during the winter. I look forward to the first signs of daffodils and tulips in the spring and picking apples and grapes in the fall. However, the weather extremes also cause some drawbacks. We deal with high heat and humidity, sub zero temperatures, brutal wind chill, high winds, rain, thunderstorms and freezing rain. We rely on either the furnace or the air conditioner the majority of the time. For my workouts, I’m often forced inside the house. I have invested into exercise clothing designed to protect against inclement conditions. I have shorts and tanks made out of moisture-wicking material that is helpful when the high heat causes me to sweat profusely. I have long-sleeved, lightweight shirts and pants that are intended to trap body heat and keep me warm on especially cold days. I have waterproof gear for rainy days. While the specialized clothing is somewhat helpful, it’s still unpleasant to run on a sunny, muggy, ninety-degree day. It is just as awful to run in a downpour or worry about slipping on icy pavement. Although I prefer to workout outside and breathe fresh air, I typically unroll my yoga mat in the living room. I don’t have a lot of space to maneuver, and I worry about causing damage to home furnishings when I jump around. I wish that I lived close enough to an organized gym to make a membership possible.