February 9th - Let's Talk Cold Weather and Your Plan
What do you do when it's cold outside?
Winter months don't make it easy to stay on target. Walking/running in the midst of a snow storm doesn't seem safe or practical. Sometimes all you want to do is wrap yourself up in your favorite blankets and sit on the couch. The weather won't turn nice until at least mid-March if you're in the US (our friends in Australia are in the midst of summer, so lucky!). So ... how do you manage the cold weather?
Question of the Day:
Let's talk cold weather and your plan. Snow/Rain don't make for fun.
How do you manage your exercise when it's cold, raining, or snowing outside?
How do you prevent yourself from just sitting on the couch?
I'm an admitted weather whiner - really only comfortable when it is 72 degrees and overcast. But I actually kind of like cold weather. I just feel - lighter. Heat really drains me so you are more likely to find me glued to my couch in the dog Days of August. A regular cold day equals more layers. Snow makes me happy and we don't get nearly enough of it here. If there is snow in the air, there is a pretty good chance that there are boots on my feet and I'm preparing to launch snowballs at the dog. There is definitely wrapped in a blanket hot chocolate time but that comes after play.
Rain is a bigger problem and I absolutely don't do ice. I still working on developing a regular exercise routine but I've got a dusty stack of fitness DVDs and I think they are the best rotten weather solution.
-----
I've been working like crazy the past two days and unfortunately haven't had a chance to sit down for a good catch-up chat.
I just wanted to put in an enthusiastic thumbs up for the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. I had a lot of worries about it before our December trip - it has a lot of bad reviews - and it wasn't perfect. We would absolutely go back but we would approach it a bit differently. Mainly skip the shakes and entrees, sample more appetizers, and leave room for dessert.
We stopped by about 5:30 on a not very busy Thursday. The Christmas parade had just ended and I think UF closed at 6 and IOA at 7. We booked over to the restaurant and got in with no wait at all. Our server told us that if there is a long wait, they text you when you are at the top of the list and get you get the next available table once you make it back. She said people walk around City Walk or even go back to the parks. I like the certainty of reservations but if what she said is true, I think that could work. No having to book months in advance. But no having to waste an hour or two just sitting on a bench outside a restaurant.
The theming is a amazing. I don't think I stopped looking around our entire visit. Our server was incredibly helpful and the cocktails were both strong and delicious. I wanted to order half of the appetizer menu but we limited ourselves to the chocolate bread (CRAZY GOOD), the crab & artichoke dip (very tasty but not out of the ordinary), and the mushroom cassoulet (yum yum yum yum yum). The entrees were OK but I think we would skip if we went again. Just sort of meh. I think DH had a flatbread and I had French onion soup and quiche. The quiche was covered in some sort of bland white sauce that I scraped off and I didn't finish either soup or quiche. I really just wanted more appetizers. And of course DESSERT!
We shared a milkshake and I was underwhelmed. It was kind of thin, a little too sweet, and I don't really want a big second dessert on top of my shake. Plus WAY OVERPRICED. I think a lot of the shake got left behind.
We also had the sundae with the brownie brittle, chocolate chip cookies, and brookies. Delicious!!!! But also way too big. All of the desserts seemed big enough for a family of four to easily share. I would have liked to see some smaller options for couples to share, folks who don't want to consume 9000 pounds of sugar, people who just want their own dessert, etc.
Finally, Penelope, the "owner," and a little robot guy make the rounds. But they only stop at tables with children. They seemed great and engaging and I was really sad we didn't get a chance to visit. I asked our server and she said she would try to send one of both of them over. I saw her talking to Penelope but Penelope just shook her head and walked away to the next room. I thought that was really short-sighted if they are making a conscious decision to skip tables without children. I guarantee that we spent more money than the two tables with children sitting next to us and I expect equal service. We were the only table without kids in our section and the only table not to have a visit on either of their passes through the section. It's not a character meal so I didn't complain but it did kind of leave a sour taste in my mouth. One that was assuaged with chocolate bread and mushroom cassoulet but still. Throw a bone to those of us who are kids at heart.
Wow. That was more than anyone wanted to read. Maybe I need to go back to babbling on my trip report.
Last but not least -
@Flossbolna and
@Lady Marie - I absolutely want to read more Japan planning. I'm at least three years off of that trip but it definitely has the most pages in my trip planning journal. And it is the one that is the hardest to find information about!
I have always been a bit sensitive to heatstroke if I am not careful so I do not overly push myself to be out in the heat exercising - mornings and afternoons have been really warm also - I guess I needed an air-cond gym - but $$ really didn't make that viable at the moment. I have spent a lot of time in the water but that has been more for relaxing - whilst I am not looking to the cooler/darker part of the approaching winter (mind you my winter is nothing like the snow and cold many of you are experiencing) I am looking forward to autumn to make it a little more comfortable for exercising. Which brings me to winter - whilst winter means that I stop paddling - which to be honest I haven't done at the moment anyway - I did find last year that I did walk more even if it was getting dark earlier - it was pretty safe in the area I was walking with plenty of other people out doing the same thing - and I took the kids along with me.
- we are having DD's birthday party there - you get a day pass to use the facilities - it is a new place - they have a nice pool with a couple of water slides - a big jumping pillow and put-put golf - plus a nice café for lunch. I get to do the same thing again next Saturday for DS with his friends. They wanted separate parties this year - some times we do a joint one sometimes they have their own - and it is going to cost the same either way so, all good. Well .. I am off to get ready so that I do not run late (as can be typical for me lol).
