November 2, 2011 (Updated February 6, 2023)

Exercise Motivation For Those Cold, Dark Mornings

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

41 comments
Good morning! I met a blog reader for dinner last night at one of my Chapel Hill favorites — Butternut Squash vegetarian/vegan restaurant. 001

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Brenna is a freshman here at UNC and emailed me last week to see if I wanted to meet up. It’s always fun meeting readers. 🙂 Isn’t her red hair pretty? I always secretly wanted to be a red head. IMG_4080 Brenna and I had fun chatting away — it made me nostalgic for undergrad days! I miss college — I went to Dickinson College in PA, which I loved. Grad school is fun and all… but not quite the same. 😉 Anyway, it was nice to have a break from biochem studying — and I ordered my usual, the black bean hemp nut burger. Plus sweet potato fries, obvi. Delish! IMG_4078 I saved half of everything for lunch today. Win. Thanks for the fun dinner date, Brenna! I’m off to go finish studying for and take my biochem exam (my 9 a.m. class before biochem was just cancelled — perfect!), so I will simply leave you all with some happy exercise-related motivation today.

(All images courtesy of Pinterest)

And my favorite: Hehe. That always makes me smile. I love looking at motivational signs like these, especially now that the mornings have gotten so dark and cold! I find it a million times harder to get out of bed when it’s still pitch black outside. And now, let’s all complete the following, because it’s always to remind yourself: “I exercise because…” My answer? That’s simple — because it makes me happy. Happy Wednesday, friends!
- anne

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41 comments
  • Kira
    It was brutal trying to get out the door this morning, but once I was on the road, just me, my music, and the stars in the sky, it felt so peaceful. That's my me-time.
    Reply
  • Amanda
    I have also not-so-secretly wanted to be a red head. I'm having my hair colored this weekend and will be asking for more red highlights! :) I exercise because it's a mood booster! Love the endorphins and that I finish a hard workout feeling exhausted in the best possible way. Those sweet potato fries look pretty awesome!
    Reply
  • Kim
    black bean burgers & sweet potato fries are always my go-to when eating out! love them. :) and pinterest has tons of these amazing motivational pictures; I always check it when I'm feeling sluggish, then I'm usually right out the door to work out.
    Reply
  • Lu
    I love those signs....the last is my favorite too! :) You will never believe it....I have started running! I always hated running...I chose sports to do (or positions) so I wouldnt have to run. ie. Goalie, shot put, ice skating, swimming...But a couple months ago, I started going on a walk before work. Then suddenly I kept getting the urge to run. Now I am running everyday before work. I am still limiting it to a mile and I am not pushing myself too hard about my pace. I think I always put unrealistic expectations on myself about running too far or too fast, too soon. So I am just taking it easy. And guess what, I am enjoying it! I actually look forward to the early morning run! Who would have thought?! Thanks for all the motivation on the blog...it helped me get into it! :-)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Lu, I am SO proud of you!! That's awesome. It's seriously all about just doing what works for you - I think people get hung up on feeling like they have to run like 5 miles every day or do some crazy fast pace or it's not worth it - very all or nothing. But that's SO not true. Doing what works for you is more important! I love that you are enjoying it, too - that's the most important part. Just have fun :) xoxo
      Reply
  • KatieG @ Just Roll With It
    Yum, sweet potato fries are a MUST!! I exercise because...it wakes me up, makes me feel good and ready to start each day
    Reply
  • diana@mymarblerye
    i CAN NOT go outside in the dark. a) i'm scared i'll get hit by a car b) i'm scared i'll get "r"-ed c) i'm lazy
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I'd be scared to go by myself - I always run with others if it's dark out!
      Reply
  • sMiles from Callie
    I exercise because it makes me feel good when it's over. But more importantly, I exercise because it keeps me sane :) I've been struggling big time to wake up in the mornings for exercise! The idea of scrapping ice off my windshield at 5:45am to go to the gym isn't too exciting. I've been wanting to try Butternut Squash! I'm definitely going this soon :) Good luck on your exam!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      We need to meet up for a run again soon! :)
      Reply
  • Brittney
    Mmmm, I went to Butternut Squash with Kelly (foodiefresh) about a year ago when we were in Chapel Hill! It was good! I liked that you can BYOB too :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Oooo I didn't know that you could BYOB! I'll have to do that next time!
      Reply
  • Charise
    I exercise because it gives me more energy, helps me sleep better, and makes me a less moody/cranky person. :)
    Reply
  • Lara
    i run because i can... i love those slogans :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Love that: "I run because I can." So true!
      Reply
  • Alaina
    I exercise because I love to eat. :-) And it makes me feel good!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Yes - that's true for me, too! :)
      Reply
  • Renie
    That burger and fries looks divine. Brenna looks like a pretty Irish lass. Let us know if you aced the test today. Also, are you going to share with us your venue or save as a surprise? Just curious. Oh yeah, curiosity killed the cat. Oh well.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Unfortunately I will have to keep it secret for security reasons until after the fact... but I'll let you know when I find one and give a general idea of what it's like! :)
      Reply
      • Renie
        That's ok if you tell us after the fact. Just tell us or we'll die of curiosity.
        Reply
  • Heather @ Dietitian on the Run
    Best thing about Pinterest: jackpot for motivational quotes & cool pictures of words! I exercise because it keeps me sane, healthy, confident and challenged!
    Reply
  • Sandy
    I exercise because I love to feel fit and accomplished. It makes me feel young and healthy and my day is never right if I didn't walk in the morning.
    Reply
  • Cassie
    I've been reading your blog for a few months now (love it!), but have never commented - just wanted to say hi and that I live right around the corner from Dickinson College! I drive by your alma mater every day :) It's a beautiful campus!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Thanks for saying hi! So jealous you live near Dickinson :) I miss that campus - so pretty!
      Reply
  • DHP
    I exercise because it keeps me in shape and gets virtue points internally!
    Reply
    • Maggie
      DHP is right, but not just for fitness it's for a health issue and your body thanks you feeling better. I wish to havemore time to do more exercise. I really admire Anne P. because she is full of energy!!
      Reply
  • Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats
    Seriously what would we do without Pinterest? SO much inspiration there! I exercise because it keeps me happy, healthy, and sane! :)
    Reply
  • Alexa @ Simple Eats
    I exercise because it always surprises me and gives me more energy than I thought it would!
    Reply
  • Adventurer
    There is nothing that does so much for body, mind, and all-around well-being as exercise, especially running!
    Reply
  • Sophie @ LoveLiveAndLearn
    Good luck for your test! I'm sure you'll do brilliantly! I love these motivational quotes, I need the extra kick at the moment when it's so cold outside. I exercise because it makes me feel amazing, mind and body :-)
    Reply
  • KaraHadley
    I love pinterest's exercise mantra images. I've got a handful saved, including my favorite, which says "I stop when I'm done, not when I'm tired." Every time I want to wimp out of a workout before I finish everything I think of that and keep going. It makes me feel hardcore and whatnot.
    Reply