Brrrrrr! It’s COLD out there! 
Despite the freezing cold temps, Murphy needed some exercise in his little pug life. Living in the city, it’s tough to find places that allow him to run around and play like the crazy pug that he is. Most parks in the area require that dogs stay on leash, which isn’t all that much fun for a 7-month-year-old puppy. However, our friends, Dave and Marie, have a small yard at their apartment, so we took Murphy to have some puppy playtime with his favorite doggie friends this afternoon.
Bella and Grady were well dressed for the occasion. Stylish even! 
Murphy’s camo harness didn’t keep him warm– maybe he needs a doggie sweater?
Pug vs. Bijons.
Murph was pooped by the end of puppy playtime. He’s passed out and snoring in his crate right now. He definitely gave playtime his all.
On our way home, Mal ran into the grocery store to grab a few things for the week.
Check out the nutritional superstars that ended up in his bag:
I just had to laugh. Typical guy, right?
Snack
After puppy playtime and some errands, I made myself an afternoon snack. It’s almost dinnertime, so I kept it small.
I had candied pecans, a cranberry-pistachio biscotti, and a glass of iced coffee. It was the perfect afternoon snack.
(Can you believe that I drank iced coffee after being outside in the cold for hours? What wrong with me!?)
Lunch
For lunch, I whipped up something quick: carrot sticks + peanut butter.
And Oikos Greek yogurt with [me] & Goji cereal mixed in.
Quick and satisfying.
Fitness Motivation
This morning, a reader emailed me with this question:
My New Year’s resolution is to lose 20 pounds. I’m eating more healthily, but I have trouble exercising consistently. I always lose my motivation after just a few weeks, especially when it’s cold and dark outside in the winter. Do you have any advice for me?
I think a lot of us struggle with this same thing (I know that I do!), so here’s how I replied to her email:
Hi [reader's name],
Thanks so much for your email and question. I know exactly how you feel about losing motivation during the winter months. It’s tough to leave my nice, warm apartment to go outside into the cold to exercise.
As for advice, check out the post that I wrote about winter motivation. Hopefully, it’ll give you some ideas to keep you motivated. For me, simply putting on my workout clothing almost always gets me to the gym. I wake up and immediately put on my gear, so then a trip to the gym pretty much seems inevitable. What’s the point of wearing workout clothes if you’re not going to exercise in them? This strategy works 99% of the time for me. In addition, setting up a defined workout schedule each week helps me stick to a plan. I plan my workouts on my blog as well as in my iPhone. Setting a fitness appointment with myself helps me carve out time to exercise and stick to it.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Tina
—-
I have a yummy dinner planned for tonight. I might start cooking soon!
See ya later!
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Puppy playtime looks so cute! I love Murphy’s camo harness, what a stylish pug
Oh my god Tina I absolutely love Murphy! I have two pugs of my own, females, named Betty and Wilma. So seeing his pics always brings a smile to my face. I totally love my girls so I know you probably feel the same way with him. Thanks for posting the pics. Keep ‘em coming
Oh he DEFINITELY needs a sweater
I completely agree with putting on your workout clothes. It works every time!
Can’t wait to see what your making for dinner!
So funny what mal brought home! Ha
jenna
I don’t think the iced coffee thing is weird. I know I live in Florida, but when it’s really cold outside & then you come in, it gets super hot really fast when you’re trying to adjust. I just came in from cleaning my car out and I’m almost sweating. Yucko – I’d go for iced over hot right now, too!
That’s really good workout advice. I’m going to try that.
Look at all those doggy friends! Too cute! Oh my gosh is it hard to get motivated in this cold weather. I have a one year old so it’s super hard for me to go for a run when I know she’ll be freezing in the stroller. I’ve been doing a lot of classes at the gym lately. That way I have a specific time I have to be at the gym to workout. Plus my kiddo gets to play!
Seriously, why is the new year in the coldest part of the year? It is definitely harder to stay active this way!
We also have the problem of being in the city with a puppy. It’s hard! Luckily he hasn’t outgrown playing fetch in our living room yet!
Luv puppy time…so cute!
Enjoy!
haha def. typical guy food
Did you know that drinking iced coffee is probably making you warmer?? I read that somewhere- because your body has to raise its internal temp to adjust to the cold coffee, so you warm up
Oh gosh, the picture of the Pug vs. Bijons is to die for, hahaha!
I love that picture of hubby and puppy. The expressions on their faces, so cute.
I’m lucky; my dog would hate to go out in this weather
Murphy definitely needs a sweater! Little dogs get so cold in winter weather!
Haven’t you taken him to a dog park before? Could he get running around time there, or does it close in the winter?
Murphy would own the doggy fashion world, he’d look so killer in a sweater.
Winter is a very tough time for workout motivation, I totally agree! I just wrote a post on how I became a consistent exerciser today
It’s hard in winter when you live in a cold climate — I’ve pretty much abandoned outdoor running for the season. Thankfully, my neighborhood as a (small) gym that’s free to residents (included in the homeowner’s fees) so I can use that, but it would be difficult to get a free workout with it.
What about searching for a free trial pass to a local gym? I’ve seen them offered at some chains. Try a few gyms all winter and don’t pay a dime!
@Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg: Most dog parks in the city don’t allow dogs off the leash. There’s a park about 30 minutes away that does and we go almost every weekend, but it’s tough to make that drive during the work week.
@Erin: I actually belong to two gyms already!
@Danielle (Coffee Run): That’s good to know!!!
Aww . . . looks like the pups had fun! I LOVE playing in the snow with my dog, she gets so excited about it!
Thanks for the winter motivation tips Tina; I really feel like even the smallest suggestions/advice is so helpful to get someone in the mood to work out. Oh, and Murphy is THE cutest thing
mm candied peanuts always make me think of winter
murphy is just too cute!
Haha I am the same way….love a cold drink when I come in from the snow!
I’ve used the “just ten minutes” trick several times…I tell myself I only have to workout for 10 min then I can stop if I want. It always works and I always end up working out longer!
One of my resolutions is to workout more consistently too. I’m trying training for upcoming events and doing challenges.
thanks for the great motivational tips! much needed over here.
Murphy is adorable!! Candied pecans sound so good. I love your winter activity post. Thanks so much for the advice!
We have Bichons! They make great playdate puppies
That’s great advice for working out in the winter months. I do that same thing in the morning (well, start coffee first), then I put on workout clothes!
haha- my bf is THE SAME. instead of ramen, tho, he gets the popcorn chicken from the Stop n Shop deli counter, and instant Indian food from Trader Joe’s.
I know exactly what you mean about craving ice coffee when it’s cold out! i had the most amazing iced Vietnamese coffee at the Lemongrass restaurant in Coolidge Corner this afternoon! you should totally try that place!
Too funny – the only time I like ice cream is in the dead of winter.
Murphy would look adorable in a sweater! I’ve got a 7mo Cavalier King Charles Spaniel here in Chicago and he doesn’t get far without his winter coat that makes him look like the Fonz. Are you putting booties or the wax on Murphy’s paws when you take him for walks? The salt can get in between his little paw pads and create some nastiness there and in his belly if he licks it off.
You must order from PetEdge. They have tons of doggie sweaters (and everything else) on the cheap and you can save on shipping by picking order up at their warehouse–it’s just north of the city. Gotta hook the little fellow up!
Our dogs love the snow and playing but only if they have boots and coats. They get to cold otherwise and the salt bothers their pads.
Haha, my tastebuds don’t always coincide with the temperature either–I drink smoothies year-round. In fact, I am drinking one right now, as the temperature drops to the teens!
Adorable puppy playtime photos! My parents just recently got a Bijon, and he is so full of energy and SO CUTE. We’ve always had big dogs, so it’s funny to see them with a lap dog.
John rarely goes grocery shopping with me, but when he does there are always some “guy” foods snuck into the cart
.
I always plan my meals but never my workouts…. maybe that would work for me.
My parents have 2 pugs and I love them! Too bad about the shedding though.
I find it far more difficult to get to the gym in the wintertime. When it’s so cold outside and often snowy, it’s easy to make excuses. Plus I just really hate being cold, so I just dread going outside, but I’m sure everybody does.And it’s always dark – whether I exercise in the morning before work or evening after work. But I always tell myself that I would still go out and drive to do other things like go to work, go to a friend’s house, even go grocery shopping (sometimes, although I also go grocery shopping far less in the winter), any sort of appt, so why shouldn’t I do it to go workout.
Love the picture of the pooped pug!