Eggnog: Motivation to Move

How many calories are in a glass of eggnog?

Trust me, you don’t want to know.

But, if you’re like me, you’ve already found yourself nibbling and sipping — OK, more like scarfing and gulping — your favorite holiday treats.

Most of us wait until we make our New Year’s resolutions before we start thinking about a workout regimen to get rid of the “Festive 15.” But, once the weight is there, it’s much more difficult to make it go away. Now is the time to start preemptively burning off those extra calories before they accumulate into extra pounds.

A lot of people ask me how I force myself out into the cold on a regular basis to run. The answer is just that — I force myself to do it (sorry if you were hoping for something more inspirational). Of course, after years of training for races, it’s sort of programmed into my routine.

For those of you who are struggling to get yourselves out the door for some old-fashioned fresh air and exercise, I offer the following advice:

1. Dress appropriately. The other day, I saw some crazy jogger cruising down the Kim Williams Trail in shorts and a T-shirt. If you’re not sure how many layers to wear, consult this guide.

2. Say to yourself, “Just five minutes.” The first few minutes are always the worst, as your body is adjusting to the shock of the frigid Montana air. Once your muscles get warmed up, you’ll find yourself thinking, “This isn’t so bad.”

3. There’s no shame in self-bribery. I negotiate with myself all the time, promising sweets, bubble baths and episodes of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” as a reward for hitting the road.

4. Some is better than none. A lot of time-pressed people figure a 15-minute walk/jog isn’t worth the effort, but even short bouts of exercise raise your metabolic rate, causing your body to burn more calories even after you’ve stopped moving.

Oh yeah, and that glass of eggnog? Calorie count = 343 — or 440 if you’re drinking the “adult” version. Happy jogging!

Brooke is a 2010 graduate of The University of Montana, where she ran track and cross country for the Grizzlies. She is currently working as a writer and editor in Missoula.